Son of a Critch

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

A chance encounter at a funeral parlor leads to Mark’s first date with a girl. Pop offers relationship advice causing Mark to woo her like an 80-year-old. Bringing Ritche for backup, Mark risks life and limb in a race across town to his date. Fox finds herself unexpectedly jealous. When she decides to follow along as well, Mark finds himself on a date that might be ruined before it even begins. Mary tries to convince Dick to sell her the old radio station truck.

Worried that his material is stale, Mark tries to freshen up his comedy act with edgier material before the school’s public speaking contest. Sister Rose decides that Mark must play the cello, he fears the instrument 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 Ritche invites himself to a sleepover, Mark scrambles to hide his family’s “eccentric” behavior. And a visit to Ritche’s house, makes Mark realize that his family is poor. Meanwhile, Mike Sr takes a staunch pro-cucumber stance when a hydroponic grow-op buys ad time on VOCM radio. Cucumber-mania spreads throughout Newfoundland.

Mark is chosen to present Lady Diana with flowers during a Royal visit. But he fears he’ll be outed as a Monarchist to his friends when he learns that he will appear on television with her and Prince Charles. Mark’s secrecy causes Ritche to doubt their friendship. Meanwhile, a gift from Dick comes between Mike Sr and Mary who’s tired of feeling underappreciated by her husband.

Mark and Ritchie witness a grizzly crime on Halloween night. The boys are offered police protection at school and find themselves untouchable by their bullies. Fox grows tired of her brother’s increasingly delinquent behavior and is forced to make a choice between them and her new-found friends.