Son of a Critch

Old Soul, New School

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.

Lordy, Lordy, Look Who’s Dead

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.

Cello, I Must Be Going

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.

Cucumber Slumber

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.

Royal Visit

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.

Candyland

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

Father Critch

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.

Merry Critch-mas

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.

Acting Normal

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.

Misty

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.

Particip-action

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.

Circus

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.

Save the Last Dance for Me

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.

Episode 1

Growing Apart

Mark is devastated to learn Fox found a new boyfriend over the summer. Meanwhile, Mike Jr struggles to tell his dad he dropped out of school.

You're Dead After School

Fox's boyfriend threatens to beat Mark up after school. Mary learns Mike Sr is making less money than their son, and pushes her husband to demand a raise.

Feast or Famine

Mark is determined to raise the most money for the 24-hour famine; the refrigerator breaks at the Critch house and forces the family to cook all its food at once.

Beer Necessities

Desperate to seem more mature, Mark heads off school grounds for lunch, but things take a turn when the Fox boys offer Mark his first beer. Meanwhile, Mary takes a job selling Avon products.

Family Tree

Mark uncovers dark family secrets when he researches the Critch family tree. Meanwhile, a death in the family causes Pop to reassess his relationship with his son.

Who Dares Dare Hudaro?

Mark falls under the spell of a visiting hypnotist and lets his grades slip. Pop struggles to lose weight when he gets too fat for his pants.

The Perfect Storm

Mark learns things about his parents he never knew, after a historic storm knocks out power to the Critch house. Meanwhile, when his father’s back goes out, Mike Jr has to broadcast all night alone.

Spirit Week

The kids are allowed to wear jeans at school for Spirit Week. The only problem is that Mark doesn’t own a pair. Meanwhile, Sister Rose picks Mary to join her choir.

European Vaction

Mark tries to win back Fox during a school trip to “France.” Meanwhile, Pop uses the trip to revisit his past life as a bootlegger with Al Capone.

Old Friends, New Friends

Mark and Ritche pretend to be Protestant to fit in with a cool group of kids from another school. Pop meets up with an old flame at a retirement home.

Pope Visit

Mark tries to fake being healthy after falling ill the day he is supposed to meet the Pope; a rival radio station tries to tempt Mike Jr. away from VOCM, breaking Mike Sr.'s heart.

Details are Scanty

When Fox’s father gets arrested, Mark lobbies his father not to report on the crime. Meanwhile, Pop and Mary steal cable with a descrambler.

Halley's Comet

Mark is excited for Halley's Comet, but the magic is lost when he learns Fox is moving. A new restaurant being built near the Critch house threatens to change the family forever.

That Was Me In Grade Nine

Mark is eager to begin his final year of elementary school. Finally, he’ll be at the top of the social food chain! But when Mark discovers that he needs glasses his cool guy dreams come tumbling down.

Reach for the Top

Mark and his friends compete on “Reach for The Top”, but when the game starts and they face Mark’s crush Cara, Marks’ heart sets his brain to stun.

You're Full of It

Mark faces bathroom woes. Fox finds herself parenting her brothers. Poppy Bell visits and family tensions rise.

Growing Pains

When Mark realizes his friends think his comic book collection is immature, he impulsively sells them all and quickly regrets it.

Bonfire Night

Mark and his friends are excited for Bonfire Night, but their innocent night takes a turn when Fox gets roped into her brother’s illegal activities.

My Funny Valentine

Mark is elated to find he has not one, but TWO valentines, but juggling two girls turns out to be harder than he expected, and so instead of two plus-ones, Mark ends up with none.

Go into the Light

Mark has a near-death experience and he’s left questioning life, death, and the afterlife. Is there a god? Has he chosen the right one? And most importantly, does this change how Fox feels about him?

Thanksgiving

Mark takes directing the school play too seriously and finds himself without a cast and crew. Mark stubbornly tries to perform the play alone but realizes he’s not a one-man-show.

The Ghosts of Christmas Presents

Mark discovers “Santa” has come early when he finds his brand-new gaming system hidden in the house. Mark can’t help himself and starts playing with his gift, but he has to keep it under wraps!