Watch Son Of A Critch

As the students at St. Bridget's prepare for the end of the school year, Sister Rose reminds them that everything they've known is about to change. Next year they'll be in high school and if they're not in the same class they probably won't even see each other! Mark is upset because he only just got comfortable with his friend group and he doesn't want them to leave him! He begs Fox and Ritche to select the same classes, so they won't be separated, but then realize that they all have different dreams. Finally, when Mark works on his graduation speech, he reflects on how his friends, family, and even the Nuns have changed him, and he even begins to look forward to the future. But, while he's still at St. Bridget's he's got a few more memories to make with his friends.

When Mark volunteers as a ticket taker at the local theater, he's delighted to find that he gets to see all the shows for free! His favorite act is Ted Turpin, and when he works up the nerve to ask Ted how to get started as a comedian, he offers Mark a slot in his open mic show. The only way to start is by starting! Mark is elated and cuts school to make the gig, but once he faces the hostile, humorless, day-drunk audience, Mark realizes this isn't quite the limelight he was expecting. Still, he keeps on and asks Ted how he can improve his set. Ted offers some wisdom, telling Mark to stop imitating other comics and find out what his own voice is. Finally, Mark takes the stage again, this time with some fresh inspired material

It's Mark's fourteenth birthday, and he's greeted by a monster pimple that makes him so self-conscious that he covers with a homemade pasty concoction - and from there his day only gets worse. He gets "flakied" on the bus, the birthday bumps at school, and later, his mother discovers him "reading the articles" in a dirty magazine. Meanwhile, the Critches perform their annual "Airing Out" ritual, where they take all the upholstered furniture and rugs from the house and let the air get at them on the lawn. However, while they're beating the dust out of their belongings, tensions rise, and family secrets come to light.

It's a big day for business in Newfoundland when the premiere announces a government investment in the Sea Plus juice factory, making juice fresh right in St. John's. As the company's new spokesman, Mike Sr leads Mark's class through the plant, introducing them to the concept of entrepreneurship. Sister Rose assigns the students a task

Christmas time falls over St. John's and the festive spirit is all around. At St. Bridget's bazaar, Pop wins a turkey that's named after Mike Sr as part of a VOCM promotion, but in an effort to impress his BIS buddies, Pop insists he'll take the live bird and prepare it himself at home. Later, while Pop discovers he doesn't have the heart to snuff out Turkey-Mike, Mark discovers that the gaming system he's been pining after for months is hidden in the house. Mark takes every opportunity to sneak his gift out of its hiding spot and play late into the night while nobody's the wiser. Finally, Mike Jr brings his new girlfriend along to Christmas Eve Mass and introduces her to the family, but Mary and Mike Sr are shocked when they find there's more to her than they expected!

When Mark gets the chance to compete in a theater festival, the chance to make a big impression on powerful onlookers goes to his head. Mark takes some advice from his abrasive uncle and runs his show with an iron fist

On a school trip to the community pool, Mark has a near-drowning experience when he falls into the deep end. While he's at the bottom of the pool, Mark sees a bright light and is overwhelmed by a warm calm feeling -- just as Fox jumps and pulls him out of his reverie and back to safety. Once he's back on dry land, Mark struggles to make sense of his experience. Did he see heaven? What does it all mean? Mark seeks answers from Sister Rose, Pop, and even a Rabbi, but realizes it's up to him to make his own meaning. Meanwhile, Fox is dealing with an existential crisis of her own and has a vulnerable bonding moment with Tina. And Dick, who is between girlfriends (and therefore homes), is forced to move into the Critches basement apartment.

It's Valentine's Day and as Mark sweetly prepares a special card for Fox, he gets a call from Cara asking him to be her Valentine. Shocked, Mark accepts, not knowing what else to do. He's sure they'll never know about each other. Later when Mark gives Fox her Valentine card, she's moved by his affection, but then when she sees Mark out to dinner with Cara she's crushed. Mark tries to cover it up but ends up making a mess of things with Cara too. At the Critch house, Mary feels like her family doesn't need her anymore and takes a temporary job at the Post Office, which throws home life into disarray. Mike Sr struggles to adapt to the change and learns that he needs to show his wife that she's appreciated. Ritche deals with his feelings for Tina, Fox takes a waitressing job, and Dick learns that he has a daughter.

Mark and his friends are excited that they're finally old enough to go out for Bonfire Night, an annual St. John's tradition where people have small bonfires all over the city for reasons they can't really recall. However, Mark's plans take a turn when Fox reveals that she has to run an important errand for her brother

When Mark's friends start hanging out at the new arcade and tell him that he's too old for comic books, Mark takes it to heart. He drags his collection to the reseller and accepts a terrible offer that's way below their value, but Mark is determined to let childish things go. That, and he really doesn't want to drag those heavy bags back home again. And so, Mark takes his earnings and tries his luck at the arcade. In a hazeof flashing lights and noisy machines, Mark lives like a high-roller in a kid-casino. But, just like in a real betting den, the house always wins and moments later a Mark leaves penniless and without his comics to comfort him. Meanwhile, Mike Sr deals with the shock of new technology. Pop struggles with hearing loss and pride but learns that his vanity is getting in the way of being there for the ones he loves. And so, he dons the aids just in time to soothe his dejected grandson.

Panic breaks out when the Critch house's plumbing gets backed up one morning. It turns out their septic tank is full, and there's only one thing to do

When the St. Bridget's quiz team gets to compete on the televised trivia show "Reach for The Top", Mark and his friends are sure they're going to bring home the win, but when Mark sees his crush Cara on the opposing team, he loses all his game. Mark desperately flails at the questions, cutting off the host and failing miserably until his team starts to question if Mark is sandbagging on purpose! Meanwhile, Mike Jr gets more responsibility at VOCM

Mark is excited to embark on a new school year, and since he's now a ninth-grader he thinks he'll be at the top of the food chain! However, when Mark discovers that he needs glasses he's convinced that he'll be right back at the bottom again. In an attempt to retain the few cool-points he still has, Mark does all he can to avoid wearing his new glasses. He pockets them when he enters the school grounds, and when Sister Rose questions him about them, Mark panics and says his father can't afford them