Growing Up

Season 4 opens with the clan frantically preparing for Chinese New Year, circa 1975, so the youngsters are still safely clad in those oversized shirt-collars and campy bell-bottoms. But Vicky has plans to stay ahead of the times by redecorating the family home, and she decides to toss out the long-cherished sewing machine that belonged to her late mother--much to Dad's chagrin.

Sweet romance soon turns sour for Gary when he discovers Karen's secret; David's ex-flame Annie returns from England to haunt him; vain Vicky struggles with motherhood.

As Vicky's boutique is hit by bad times, Mr Tay suggests that she reassess her priorities--especially parenting obligations--but she thinks otherwise. Gary rounds up his old band members to give a shot at the Talentime, while David has sleepless nights over a leaky tap.

Mr Tay discovers that Auntie Boon is a victim of domestic abuse. After some hesitation, he intervenes and finds out he's actually the cause of it. Meanwhile, Gary is elated that Chee Keong looks up to him, but crumbles under the pressure of being a role model.

Mr Tay manages to persuade Gary to attend a matchmaking session, only to disapprove of the girl who shows up. Meanwhile, Tammy has problems with her netball team, and David hopes to buy a car although he can't afford it.

Vicky gives birth to a baby boy and suffers a postnatal blues; Chee Keong drives everybody crazy with his questions of "Where do babies come from?"

Refusing to heed the confinement lady's advice, Vicky is determined to do things her own way; Mr Tay helps resolve the differences between Govin and Frankie; Tammy is shocked when Chak Ho professes his love for her.

Mr Tay angers a triad gang when he defends his family's honour; David must deal with a pompous Fatty when the latter returns after making it big; Tammy gets into trouble while driving David's car.

This season, Vicky becomes a mother and has a busy time juggling her maternal duties with running a boutique and searching for a new love.

Vicky allows Teck Ann and his mother to visit baby John, only to have them snatch the infant away. Meanwhile, Gary agrees to employ Keng Joo's wayward brother as his assistant, but things go awry.

When everyone around him is gripped by football fever, David decides to move out, but he regrets it when loneliness hits him. Karen reappears and goes all out to get Gary's attention.

After visiting Mr Brook at the hospital, Mr Tay is forced to confront his own fears of aging and abandonment. Meanwhile, Karen's fiance' James shows up and throws her budding romance with Gary into disarray.

Tammy is infatuated with her netball coach. Vicky tries to help but becomes an inadvertent third party. Meanwhile, Gary and David are obsessed with kite flying.

Mr Tay meets a Mrs Tay look-alike--or so he thinks; Gary embarrasses himself in front of Karen's sikit atas friends.

Tammy takes up piano lessons but Mr Tay refuses to let her buy the instrument. Meanwhile, in a bid to outdo his rival Monica, David takes on the seemingly impossible task of rousing his staff to participate in an interdepartment contest.

Gary finds himself torn between Karen and his first love Sherry. Meanwhile, Sulaiman's estranged sister returns with her Chinese husband, and everyone accuses Sulaiman of racism when he treats his brother-in-law with hostility.

Things get personal when Tammy and Chak Ho take part in a debate; Gary clinches a role in a Ribena commercial but must deal with the meddlesome Mrs Chong, who also wants the part.

Tammy treads in deep waters when she starts taking drugs; Gary fights off pressure to get married.

David announces that he has decided to move to England; Gary faces the formidable challenge of winning his future father-in-law's favour; Vicky gets upset when John addresses Chong Soh as "Mummy."

Gary gets cold feet before his wedding; Mr Tay is affected when he learns that their old house will be demolished; David asked Shirley to go to England with him.