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.