Son Of | A Critch Fix
In the crowded landscape of coming-of-age comedies, it takes a distinct voice to stand out. For years, the genre has been dominated by the nostalgic haze of America in the 1970s or the glossy privilege of the 1990s. However, tucked away in the CBC (and now The CW) lineup is a gem that offers a different flavor of nostalgia—one fueled by dial-up internet, oversized hand-me-downs, and the unique socio-political landscape of 1980s Newfoundland.
tackles the early 1980s recession. Mark gets his first job, deals with the terrifying reality of junior high romance, and learns that his father’s TV career isn't just silly—it's actually failing. The show doesn't shy away from the darkness of an alcoholic uncle or the quiet depression of the "forgotten" working class.
Critch wrote the memoir about his childhood as a tribute to his late mother. When adapting it for TV, he insisted on staying true to the awkwardness. "We didn't have money, but we had a lot of laughs," Critch says. "I wanted to show that the 80s weren't just neon and synth music. For a lot of kids in the Maritimes, it was tough. But you laugh about it." Son of a Critch
To understand the heart of the show, one must understand its creator. Mark Critch is a household name in Canada, best known for his decades on the satirical news show This Hour Has 22 Minutes . His brand of comedy has always relied on a keen observational eye, catching the nuances of Canadian politics and culture.
It’s currently streaming on (in Canada) and The CW (in the US). It’s the perfect palate cleanser after all the heavy, dark dramas we usually binge. In the crowded landscape of coming-of-age comedies, it
In adapting his own memoir for television, Critch (who serves as showrunner and writer, and appears on-screen as various minor characters) strips away the varnish of celebrity. The show does not portray young Mark as a destined genius. Instead, it portrays him as lonely, awkward, and frequently humiliated. This vulnerability is the show’s superpower. It refuses to indulge in the "golden age" fallacy of nostalgia. The 1980s here are not a cool aesthetic backdrop; they are a time of bulky technology, economic uncertainty, and social friction.
The setup is simple: A nerdy kid navigates Catholic school, first crushes, bullies, and the chaos of a blue-collar family in a quirky seaside town. tackles the early 1980s recession
This central tension—Mark’s desire to be seen as mature versus his utter lack of real-world experience—provides the show's comedic engine. Whether he is trying to navigate the complex politics of the school bus or attempting to understand his father's nightly news broadcasts, Mark approaches life with a mixture of wide-eyed optimism and neurotic cynicism.