My favourite part of the show was the scene near the end between David and Alexis where she’s telling him that she and Mutt have split up and it’s the first time she has ever felt anything, “I mean nothing – I’ve been to doctors about it.” The interaction was funny and touching. David’s facial expressions are priceless.

The part about David at his job selling off mannequins and using the corporate card fell flat for me. I can understand how someone like David would get confused (and excited) by the concept of a tax write-off. As a kid I thought the idea of Santa giving free stuff was an opportunity of a lifetime. And David is childlike, but the owner of the store let him take over and that seems out of character.

Moira stole the show for me again. Yes, she is over the top in her clothes and her affectations, but that is the character of Moira. I didn’t laugh as much as I would expect, but my appreciation for her acting skills and the writing are enough. The writing…the writers…are so clever.

Moira sets out to beautify the town but it’s not going to be her who does it, as she says to Johnny after he suggests she plant her own peonies, “These are dark times, John, but not that dark.” She takes on the town council and she wins, impressing council member, Ronnie (Karen Robinson) who tells her she’s a pain in the ass, but she gets things done. She does indeed.

There are some great scenes in this episode, and the humour is smart and witty. I just don’t know why I wasn’t laughing until my stomach hurt.

The clever dialogue between characters continues in episode 5. And with each interaction we glimpse a bit more into who they are as characters. Maybe that’s the key to good writing – and good acting – to fully embrace the character. The writers and actors on this show have done just that.

We actually see a bit of emotional growth with Moira’s character. It’s short lived mind you, but it is there nonetheless.

Moira’s daughter Alexis is very sick. It’s just a cold, but to Moira it is one step from death and she has no plans to go near her daughter. And when husband Johnny takes his daughter some orange juice, Moira tells him not to touch her, as she closes and locks the motel door between their rooms.

Moira checks in on her before heading out to her choir practice telling Alexis that “mummy’s gotta fight for her solo.” But she doesn’t go to the choir rehearsal after all, instead she goes out looking for medicine for Alexis. It is highly uncharacteristic and surprises both of them. Moira admits to feeling something, and Alexis suggests “maternal instincts, maybe?” Moira shoots back, “No, that’s not it.”

Moira is later shown in bed beside Alexis telling her a bedtime story. It seems like another touching show of motherly love until Alexis falls asleep on her arm. Moira shakes the sick Alexis awake saying, “Alexis, you’re on my arm. Alexis, seriously, I can’t feel it.” So in character.

David meanwhile has an interview at an “upscale boutique” and needs Stevie to drive him. It turns out to be the Blouse Barn where he and the mayor shopped last week. Not great for David who had called the shop skanky to the owner’s face. The chemistry with Stevie continues, but sparks fly between him and the owner of the “boutique”. He gets the job in spite of himself. I’m looking forward to seeing how this story line develops.

Johnny continues working on his business plan and Bob sarcastically tells Roland that there is “lots of quiet planning going on…Johnny treats himself to a muffin or two, but I guess that’s part of the planning.” Johnny then explains how an idea is born.

He uses the muffin as an example, saying he likes the muffin, but would rather have a bagel. And since he hasn’t seen a bagel since he got to this town, he might think this town could use a bagel shop. Bob loves the idea and Bob’s Bagels is born. It takes the rest of the show for Johnny to convince Bob it was just an example of an idea and a bagel shop wasn’t viable. Bob is indignant when he says he’ll want to see a business plan next time.

There are real people who are a lot like Bob. Just like all of them, really. They’re caricatures and it’s funny.

The show continues to shine a spotlight on these shallow self-centred characters, so brilliantly portrayed by the uber-talented actors.

Moira and Johnny are seen shopping at an estate sale. Moira mumbles that “shopping used to cheer me up.” And when Johnny finds a pair of cuff links, Moira despairs, “Oh John, they’re sterling silver. You’re better off stealing cutlery from the café.” She will never accept their new reality.

The town’s mayor, Roland Schitt (Chris Elliot shines as the sleazy redneck mayor) needs a woman’s fashion sense to help him buy a blouse for his wife, Jocelyn (Jennifer Robertson). He naturally thinks of David. Shopping in the local Blouse Barn (where durability is a given) is a foreign experience for David; shopping with someone like Roland is even more so. These two are worlds apart. But that’s what makes this scene work. There is some witty repartee between them.

Mutt buys Alexis a bicycle – it’s not exactly the mode of transportation she was hoping for. After walking the bike into town, she finally admits she can’t ride a bike and explains that growing up, David was such a drama queen when their parents tried to teach him, they threw out all the bikes.

Moira finally sees something she wants at the Estate Sale. A new mattress. Unfortunately Jocelyn saw it first and is determined to get it, which she does. But after “trying it out”, Roland and Jocelyn decide it’s not for them and sell it to Johnny. Moira says “and by trying it out you mean….(realizing he means sex)….oh John, that’s memory foam.” These two actors go way back and there is an undeniable chemistry between them that is a joy to watch.

The show ends with a wobbly David on a pink girl’s bicycle. Stevie snaps his picture.