A Tribute to Catherine O'Hara and Moria Rose

We’ve lost a lot of people in the industry that I really respected, admired, and enjoyed the works of recently, and it’s safe to say I have not been staying up on tributes to most of them. Both between my struggles with writing and just difficulty in choosing what I want to say and focus on. Loretta Swit focusing on an episode of M*A*S*H that I always felt showed the best of Margaret felt natural to me, but it’s been a struggle with many of them. Catherine O’Hara is no exception. The kid in me thinks of a mother trying to get home to her son. The teen that went through a goth “phase” thinks of her from Tim Burton movies. The slightly older me that loved weird comedies thinks of those. But I think current Megan really does connect with Schitt’s Creek and for a number of reasons.

Moria was a fascinating character. She was hilarious and bold and in your face, while she also grew and developed into a more rounded person. I am not alone in loving her silly ism like how she pronounced the word “baby” and the words she would make up. I also was touched watching her become a better mom to Alexis. And of course Johnny Rose’s and her love for each other is something that I hope my husband and I hold onto in our life as well.

I can’t say that it’s my favorite thing of Catherine O’Hara’s because I can’t say I could pick one thing. But it is my most recent touchstone. Upon hearing the news I decided to do a full rewatch, but I also wanted to do something that was more tribute to Moria specifically. So the actual rewatch took a bit of an aside so I could pick some of my favorite Moria episodes.

Quick note- In a lot of these I don’t really go into the other plotlines because this list is specifically about Moria and Catherine O’Hara. I may mention them, but honestly every episode has multiple plotlines and I want to just get to what the focus is. I also want to say that I could not possibly watch the entire show in time to get this up so if you feel there are episodes missing, you are correct. There was a lot of bouncing around and trying to remember what happened while trying to put this together. I may do a follow up, I may let it rest here. Either way Catherine O’Hara will truly be missed, and I cried several times trying to get this done.

The Throuple

This episode marks a significant point in Alexis and Moria’s relationship. Moria ends up making plans for a lunch date with Alexis something neither of them is looking forward to. Moria even ends up making cards to have something to talk to Alexis about. The two end up having a confrontation about their lack of closeness in which Moria says that Alexis pulled away from her. In response Alexis says it’s because anytime they were together there were always other people and cameras, etc. Moria is truly stunned and has a moment of genuine self reflection, she had no idea that her daughter pulled away from her due to her celebrity status. The two talk, make up, and Alexis starts to read the cards to Moria so they can continue their lunch.

There are a lot of episodes where Catherine O’Hara showed off her chops because she played such a larger than life version of Moria. This shows her range. She is more down to Earth, and the woman was damn good at playing a mother who loves her children. It’s also just a great moment in the development of these two characters. They don’t have the perfect mother daughter relationship after that, but you can see them both healing and coming closer. Although with Catherine O’Hara’s passing it’s kind of a gut punch upon rewatch.

Grad Night

Grad Night is centered around the fact that something big/good is happening for each of the Roses. It’s David’s birthday and first date with Patrick. Johnny Rose is excited to have fully booked the motel. Moira and the Jazzagals will be performing. And Alexis if finally graduating high school. Alexis insists she doesn’t care if nobody shows up and even expresses embarrassment at the whole thing. Later when Moria goes back to the hotel to pick something up she catches Alexis getting ready and tells her she is not only beautiful but that she’s also proud of her. That it took great courage to go back to school and it is an accomplishment even if it took her awhile. Alexis finally caves and asks her mom to attend but Moria cannot. Alexis insists it’s okay, but Moira leaves knowing her child is disappointed. Cut to later, Moria and the Jazzagals skipped their performance so they can perform at the graduation and Moria singing a solo for her daughter.

This episode is great overall, I mean the Patrick and David stuff is beyond cute, but it’s another wonderful example of Alexis and Moira’s relationship growing and Moria becoming a better mother. Also a great showcase of Catherine O’Hara’s many talents.

I will be entirely honest though, I could not rewatch it for this list. Even thinking of her singing the song was much too much. I hope to someday soon though.

Dead Guy in Room 4

Simply put this episode has my absolute favorite Moria scene. A man passes away while staying at the hotel, natural causes, nobody is at fault. However Moria as calm and rational as she is (lol) gets it in her mind that because she denied the man one of the pain pills she is hoarding that she might be responsible for his death. The scenes between her, David, and Patrick while she is freaking out is one of those comedy moments that you just have to watch. The timing is incredible, Catherine O’Hara’s acting is superb, and the whole thing is quite possibly the funniest moment in a show filled with them. Truly brilliant comedic acting.

Also you know when you are with your partner’s family there very occasionally will be a “huh that explains a lot” moment? Yeah I feel like if they were real people it would be this for Patrick and how dramatic David can be.

The Motel Guest

A great Johnny Rose and Moria episode. Roland and Joceyln are fighting so Roland moves into the motel temporarily. Due to his rude behavior Johnny and Moria end up not getting a lot of sleep which causes them to fight. Moria ends up confronting Roland while Joceyln and Johnny meet up. Through their conversations – and in the case of Roland and Moria fighting – both couples have their revelations and find their way back to each other. It’s a good character episode and look at just what happens when you’ve been with someone for a long time, sometimes you fight, but you still love one another. We also get to see Catherine O’Hara showing many different sides of Moria and of course nailing them all. She’s mean, apologetic, dramatic, calm, everything. I do also love the reminders that Moria and Johnny Rose truly love each other. And it shows why Eugene and Catherine worked together so often, their chemistry is wonderful even if they are apart for most of the episode.

I have a lot more to say and examples, from Moria standing up for herself in "Sunrise, Sunset." To the hilarious way she caws in "The Premier" and the entire fallout from that. I felt that at least for the time being these moments could serve as my tribute though. My heart is broken, but I am so grateful for all the wonderful works she gave us. I hope it will be sooner rather than later when I can watch them without needing a good cry.