Son of a Critch

Mark’s first day of junior high is marred by a bully — a young girl named Fox. But when he stands up for himself, he learns that words can hurt more than fists.

A chance encounter at a funeral parlour leads to Mark’s first date with a girl. As he risks life and limb in a race across town to meet her, Fox finds herself unexpectedly jealous. Meanwhile, Mary tries to convince Dick to sell her the old radio station truck.

Mark fears being forced to play the cello will make him a social pariah. But when his cello is taken by a gang of bullies, Fox begrudgingly comes to his rescue. Meanwhile, Pop and Sister Rose take a stroll down memory lane when it’s revealed they used to be an item.

When Ritchie invites himself to a sleepover, Mark scrambles to hide his family’s “eccentric” behaviour. Meanwhile, Mike Sr takes a staunch pro-cucumber stance when a grocer buys ad time on VOCM.

Mark fears he’ll be outed as a Monarchist when he’s chosen to give flowers to a visiting Lady Diana. Meanwhile, a gift from Dick comes between Mike Sr and Mary.

Mark and Ritchie receive police protection after witnessing a grizzly crime on Halloween night. Fox grows tired of her brother’s increasingly delinquent behaviour.

Mark is considering what life would be like as a priest. But as rumours of scandal amongst the clergy start to mount, Mark reassesses what his religion means to him.

Mark collects Christmas toys for the needy, which leads to an uncomfortable discovery about one of his classmates. Meanwhile, Pop’s prodigal son shows up.

Mark and Mike Sr unexpectedly bond over Mark’s role in the upcoming Easter play. But when Mark is fired from the production, he pretends otherwise to keep his father’s affections. Meanwhile, Pop turns to Mary for help after the CRA learns he’s been collecting his dead wife’s pension checks.

The Critch men are left to their own devices after Mary is hospitalized for a minor procedure. Mark has trouble balancing the household chores and accidently gives Pops the wrong pills.

Parents and students take the field on Sports Day. Mark decides to treat the all-day gym class as a comedy stage, much to his teammate’s annoyance. Meanwhile, Fox fights for her mother’s attention and attempts to break the school record for gold medals.

When Ritche bails on their plans to go to the circus, Mark and Fox find themselves going together on a maybe-date. Meanwhile, Ritche’s family hosts some new Filipino-Canadians who make him feel insecure about his heritage.

Having realized his feelings for Fox, Mark is hurt to learn she’s been spending time alone with Ritche. And, with the future of VOCM in doubt, Mike Sr attempts to learn how to DJ… at Mark’s school-end dance.