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Life with Derek Season 4 Episodes
Season 4 Episode Guide
18 Episodes 2008 - 2009
Episode 1
Two Kisses, One Party
Sat, Jul 19, 200822 mins
As preparations get underway for Marti's (Ariel Waller) 8th birthday party, Casey (Ashley Leggat) is still mourning the breakup with Max (Robbie Amell) and decides she needs closure. But instead of the official breaking up ceremony she has planned, she asks Max if he wants to get back together. Max is surprised and doesn't respond. Meanwhile, Marti's party is threatened when Nora is called out of town. Sally (Kate Todd) comes to the rescue, promising Marti a princess themed party - and her boyfriend Derek's (Michael Seater) help. It's not the first time Sally has tried to force Derek to help out his family, and when he refuses, she decides he's not the guy she thought he was. On the day of Marti's party, Derek hides out in his room, while Edwin (Daniel Magder) greets the guests. To everyone's surprise, the first person to arrive is Max. He just came by to talk to Casey but gets roped into helping out with the party games. Derek comes through in the end and Sally realizes that underneath Derek's cool guy shtick lays a sweet, sensitive guy. Casey finally gets the closure she needs with Max. As for Marti, she has "the best birthday party in the history of the world."
Episode 2
Open Mic Plight
Sun, Jul 27, 200822 mins
Sally (Kate Todd) tells Derek (Michael Seater) that she's crazy about him, but all she gets back "is right back attya Sal," and that leaves her steaming. Since he's not good at expressing his feelings, she suggests that he write her a song. Derek's taste is strictly rock; he's incapable of writing a sappy song. But he has to make amends with Sally, so he steals a love song that Casey (Ashley Leggat) wrote about Max. Of course he's caught, and now he has Sally AND Casey mad at him. Ironically Casey is the only who can help Derek out of this mess and she only agrees to help him for Sally's sake. Meanwhile Edwin (Daniel Magder) is working on a comedy routine but is very offended when Lizzie (Jordan Todosey) tells him it's not funny, and George (John Ralston) confesses that it's;fashioned. Edwin needs new material and realizes the place to look is right at home. Casey tells Derek to stop thinking and just start feeling, and soon his lyrics start to flow. Derek intends to sing the new song for Sally at Smelly Nellie's Open Mic night. Things don't quite go according to plan, but to Sally's delight, Derek does manage to let her know how he feels. And that's all that counts.
Episode 3
Just Friends
Tue, Aug 12, 200822 mins
Derek (Michael Seater) is bugged by Sally's (Kate Todd)so-called friendship with her ex-boyfriend Patrick (Robert Clark), and claims that guys and girls are never just friends. Casey (Ashley Leggat) hotly denies this, and vows to prove him wrong by making friends with Noel (Adam Butcher) who, of course, has a crush on her. Things get more complicated when Derek tries to make Sally jealous by hanging out with his ex, Kendra (Lauren Collins). Kendra assumes that Derek and Sally are having relationship problems, and asks Derek to go out with her on Saturday night. Derek takes her up on the offer just to bug Sally. But Sally has been asked out again by Patrick, so his date with Kendra suits her fine. Casey asks Noel out the same night and he is convinced they are going on a date. Meanwhile, Edwin (Daniel Magder) is suspicious of his father's attractive new business colleague, Terry (Natalie Lininska), and is sure she's about to make a play for George (John Ralston). When George and Nora (Joy Tanner) invite Terry to the house for dinner on Saturday night, Edwin steps in to protect his parents' marriage and winds up embarrassing them all. When Casey and Derek realize they're leading Noel and Kendra on, they decide he perfect solution is to set them up! However they neglect to tell Noel and Kendra about this plan. An awkward double date ensues, which becomes a more awkward triple date when Sally shows up with Patrick and tries to set him up with Casey, having just discovered he still has feelings for her after all.
Episode 4
March Break
Tue, Aug 26, 200822 mins
With March Break coming up, Casey (Ashley Leggat) is looking forward to a spa weekend with Emily (Shadia Simmons), and Derek (Michael Seater) has been invited to Ralph's (Shane Kippel) "party to end all parties". So when George (John Ralston) decides to take the family on a road trip to Quebec City, both Casey and Derek elect to stay home - despite the fact that they can't even open a bag of chips without fighting! No sooner has the family pulled out of the driveway than Ralph cancels his party and Emily announces she's going on a last minute vacation to Aruba. Casey and Derek now face a weekend with no distractions, and soon they're fighting like cats and dogs. Nora (Joy Tanner) had warned Casey and Derek to keep the house intact or face serious consequences. But after a fight over the TV remote and the stolen last page of Casey's book, the two start throwing leftover meatloaf at each other, causing Derek to back into the TV, and send it crashing to the floor. The road trip to Quebec turns out to be a disaster, and Nora calls Casey and Derek to say they're coming home early. Can the bickering siblings put their differences aside long enough to get the house in order and fix the broken television before they're busted?
Episode 5
6 1/2
Fri, Sep 12, 200822 mins
Casey (Ashley Leggat) finds out from Emily (Shadia Simmons) that cute new Truman (Joe Dinicol) is rating all the girls in their class, and she only scored a 6 1/2 out of 10! She insists she couldn't care less about some jerk's evaluation of her appearance, but she's obviously bothered. She's more bothered when she hears Kendra (Lauren Collins) is planning to use the Truman rating to choose student models for her fashion show. To add insult to injury, Truman seems to be making the rounds of girls Casey and Derek know. First he hits on Derek's (Michael Seater) girlfriend Sally (Kate Todd); the next day he asks out Emily (Shadia Simmons); and then he goes out with Derek's girlfriend Kendra to discuss his new role as co-chair of her fashion show. What is going on? Is Truman trying to bug Derek - or Casey? Turns out Truman's been using the old' rig he rating system then make her jealous by dating her friends' strategy to get Casey's attention. But it looks like his strategy backfired, because now Casey can't stand him. Plus she decides to organize her own alternative fashion show which celebrates girls' individuality.
Episode 6
Derek Denies Denial
Tue, Sep 23, 200822 mins
When Sally (Kate Todd) announces her plans to attend an out of province university in the fall, Derek (Michael Seater) is upset and breaks up with her. He insists he's fine, but Edwin (Daniel Magder) doesn't buy his calm, cool and collected act and tries to convince Casey (Ashley Leggat) to help him help Derek. Since Derek's room has always been off limits to the rest of the family - now more than ever - Lizzie (Jordan Todosey) and Marti (Ariel Waller) goad him into hiding a little stray dog named Punkin until they can figure out how to keep her. Derek forms an unlikely bond with the pup but, in order to keep the dog a secret, his behaviour becomes stranger than ever. Everyone assumes he's so upset about losing Sally that he's LOSING IT! When George (John Ralston) and Nora (Joy Tanner) discover the dog in Derek's room, they insist that the girls do the right thing and put ads around the neighbourhood. Derek is even more upset than Lizzie and Marti, and Casey realizes that he's simply transferred his hurt about Sally to Punkin. When Derek finally comes clean with Sally, she reminds him that she's not leaving 'til fall. Besides, why face today what you can put off 'til the end of the summer? Beauty and brains - Derek knew he loved her for a reason.
Episode 7
Happy New Schoolyear
Tue, Oct 7, 200822 mins
George and Nora are having a rough weekend since all the kids are all having back to school issues. Casey (Ashley Leggat) is having an identity crisis triggered by the juvenile decor in her room; Lizzie (Jordan Todosey) is having a wardrobe crisis; Edwin's (Daniel Magder) girlfriend breaks up with him so he refuses to return to the school they both attend; and for some reason Marti (Ariel Waller) is holed up in her tent and won't come out. Then Derek (Michael Seater) tells his father that he's dropping out of high school to follow Sally (Kate Todd) to Vancouver. Casey thinks that a casual comment she made to Derek might have prompted his decision. But she doesn't want him to do something stupid, even if it was her idea. Now the others will just have to put their own issues on hold, and help her change Derek's mind. Despite their efforts, Derek refuses to budge. He doesn't come to his senses until Sally (Kate Todd) makes the surprise announcement that she has decided to stay in town so they can be together. Derek doesn't want Sally to give up her dream on his account. He realizes he really should finish high school, and face the pain of Sally leaving after all.
Episode 8
No Secrets
Tue, Oct 21, 200822 mins
As Edwin (Daniel Magder) takes over Derek's (Michael Seater) reign as the family snoop, his mentor orders him to dig up some dirt on the squeaky clean McDonald girls. By eavesdropping on a private phone conversation, Edwin finds out that Lizzie (Jordan Todosey) likes Allen O'Fallon, and then makes her pay him to keep quiet. Certain Edwin's next move will be to read her diary, Lizzie plants a fake entry about his girlfriend's plans to break up with him. Edwin is heartbroken, but Derek knows his brother was just outsmarted mid snoop. The only way to redeem himself is for Edwin to get some dirt on Casey (Ashley Leggat). Lately, Casey has been having romantic dreams about Truman (Joe Dinicol), the smug but handsome new classmate who's been hounding her for a date. She denies she likes him, but panics when the diary, and its evidence of a crush, goes missing. She's certain Edwin took the book, then gave it to Derek who read it and told Truman that she'd been dreaming about him! Marti (Ariel Waller) and Lizzie try to help her get the diary back by holding Derek's leather jacket and Edwin's teddy bear as ransom. It's very embarrassing when Casey realizes the dream diary wasn't lost at all and now Truman is more convinced than ever that she likes him.
Episode 9
Take a Stepkid to Work
Tue, Nov 4, 200822 mins
It's "Take Your Kid to Work Day," but this year the McDonald Venturis are mixing things up. Casey (Ashley Leggat) will go to the law office with stepfather George (John Ralston) and Derek (Michael Seater) will go to an important meeting with stepmother Nora (Joy Tanner), a window treatment designer. Casey is bored at the law office so, while George is out, she uses her initiative and organizes an entirely new filing system and attempts to make 20 copies of an important report for George's boss. Unfortunately she hasn't reckoned on Bertha, the notoriously unpredictable office photocopier. Nora almost cancels the meeting with her wealthy potential client, Mrs. Marchesano (Heidi Von Palleske), when she discovers Marti, (Ariel Waller) Lizzie (Jordon Todosey) and Edwin (Daniel Magder) are sick and can't go to school. Derek has zero interest in window treatments, so volunteers to stay with the kids. But when Nora dashes back home to pick up some swatches, she finds Derek slacking while Edwin (who was just faking his illness) does the dirty work. Nora sees no choice but to reschedule her meeting, and Derek realizes he's let her down. Determined to make things right, he intercepts a call from Mrs. Marchesano and arranges a meeting at the house. But he forgets to tell Nora what he's done, and Mrs. Marchesano arrives to a mess! Derek goes to bat for Nora and manages to buy her 20 minutes to make her pitch he even comes up with some pretty good ideas of his own ones that help Nora get the job.
Episode 10
No More Games
Tue, Nov 18, 200822 mins
On gym activity sign up day, Derek (Michael Seater) makes sure Casey (Ashley Leggat) is late for school so all the popular options are booked up. Casey ends up in fencing, with Fergus (Patrick Garrow) as her instructor, and the insufferable flirt Truman (Joe Dinicol) as her partner. Although Casey and Emily (Shadia Simmons) had made a pact to swear off dating until after the Christmas exams, Casey now wants to extend the policy for the rest of the year just to keep Truman at bay. When he accidentally gooses her with his épée, Casey hits Truman on the arm with her épée and gets kicked out of fencing by Fergus. Meanwhile, George (John Ralston) brings home a new ping pong table and Edwin (Daniel Magder) beats all his siblings in turn except Derek, who considers himself the master and keeps cheating and taunting him. On Casey's advice, Edwin decides he can't lose if he doesn't play. Counter to the advice she gave Edwin, Casey begs Fergus to let her back into the class and he agrees, but only if she embraces the grace and beauty that is fencing. After some coaching, Casey decides she is ready to take on Truman. She also tells Edwin it's time he stood up to his big brother.
Episode 11
How I Met Your Stepbro
Tue, Dec 2, 200822 mins
On their second anniversary, Nora (Joy Tanner) tries to distract herself from George's (John Ralston) disastrous Mexican dinner by getting Casey (Ashley Leggat) and Derek (Michael Seater) to finally tell their siblings how they tried to prevent their parents' marriage. Two years and four months ago, when George proposed to Nora, she said "maybe." She told Georges he wanted to make sure the girls, particularly Casey, could handle the move. But the real reason was because she was worried about whether Casey could get along with Derek. It was time they met, and the results of their meeting would determine whether or not Nora said yes. Bribed by his father, Derek promised to give Casey a tour of her potential new school. But instead, he convinced his friend Ralph (Shane Kippel) to impersonate him. By the end of the day, Casey thought 'Derek' was a great guy; but that his friend 'Ralph' was a jerk. Nora was surprised, but relieved. Maybe things would work out after all. But Nora's relief was short lived. Casey found out about Derek's prank, and was totally opposed to the idea of moving in with his family. Derek didn't like the idea any more than she did. So, in a twisted show of unity, they cooked up Operation Disengagement to keep their parents from marrying. The plan almost worked, but at what cost? Nora and George were inconsolable. And Casey realized that she and Derek were standing in the way of their parents' happiness. She decided to make things right, whether Derek agreed or not.
Episode 12
Casey & Ralph?!
Tue, Dec 16, 200822 mins
While his parents are away, Ralph (Shane Kippel) is invited to stay at Derek's (Michael Seater) for the weekend. The first night, he babysits the younger kids while the rest of the family is out. The house is turned upside down but the kids have a great time! The next night, Derek has a date, so Ralph is pawned off on Casey (Ashley Leggat) and they have a heart to heart after watching a sad, romantic movie. Ralph decides he's in love with Casey and troublemaker Derek encourages him to go for it. When Casey gets wind of Derek's mean prank, she reminds him that Ralph is a nice guy who just happens to be feeling a bit vulnerable after a spat with his girlfriend. Derek is sure that this is just a 24 hour crush that will blow over like a case of the flu. Then he hears Ralph is about to break up with his girlfriend and realizes the prank has gone too far. After several failed attempts by Casey to repel Ralph, it's time for Derek to step in and make things right.
Episode 13
Tuesday Afternoon Fever
Tue, Dec 30, 200822 mins
It's like a dream come true for Casey (Ashley Leggat). The regional auditions for Dance Mania are being held at her school, and the four finalists will perform with other regional finalists on a special live television broadcast. Casey makes the cut, along with her rival, Sadia (Romina D'Ugo). But so does 'crazylegs' Derek (Michael Seater), who enters the competition as a joke. Dressed in hockey pads, and calling himself 'D Vent,' he impresses judge Cindy (Debra Lynne McCabe) with a ridiculous dance that she calls "refreshing and original." Casey begs Derek to bow out, and accuses him of making a mockery of the art she has pursued all her life. Derek is about to yield until the beautiful Sadia asks him to be her dance partner for the next round. Derek thinks Sadia is ripe for romance, but she means business. When Sadia realizes that Derek can't actually dance, she steals Casey's partner. If Casey doesn't have a partner, she can't compete. Now the whole family's mad at Derek. This isn't just a contest for Casey; it's a chance to realize her dream. The intense guilt trip pays off. For better or for worse, Casey has a new dance partner: Derek. Meanwhile, Lizzie (Jordan Todosey) dares junk food junkies George (John Ralston) and Edwin (Daniel Magder) to eat only healthy food for a whole week. If they lose, they have to dye their hair purple. When the boys are caught in a minor donut eating infraction, Lizzie gives them one more chance. But after a few days of kale and yoga, Lizzie finds them with a pizza and, well, a bet's a bet.
Episode 14
Teddy's Back
Wed, Mar 4, 200922 mins
After pulling a devious prank on Derek (Michael Seater) a year before, Teddy (Cameron Ansell) is back, hanging around, and driving everyone in the McDonald Venturi household crazy. Teddy knows they want to get rid of him, but before they send him home he appeals to Derek's ego as the master prankster. The only reason he's been hanging around and the only reason he pranked Derek last year was to earn his respect. A flattered Derek makes Teddy his personal assistant and Teddy has Derek exactly where he wants him. Edwin is deeply suspicious of Teddy's motives, and not a little jealous, but Derek won't listen to him. Teddy is now ready to make his move but is he good enough to outprank the master? Meanwhile, Truman (Joe Dinicol) promises Casey (Ashley Leggat) a first date she'll never forget and she gets it: the worst date of her life. Truman claims it was a joke but she isn't amused. To make it up to her, Truman lets Casey design the perfect date. Her date, her rules, his treat he's on!
Episode 15
Rude Awakenings
Wed, Mar 11, 200922 mins
Casey (Ashley Leggat) is so worried about the future that she studies like crazy for the final exams. She warns Derek (Michael Seater) that if he doesn't start studying soon, he could be in for a rude awakening which comes when Paul (Arnold Pinnock) the guidance counselor informs him his C average is actually a D average. It's going to take more than supersonic cramming to get Derek into university with a D average; he won't even make it on a hockey scholarship! Derek figures he'll just have to find a way to buck the system. But, this year, his teachers have all pledged that they will not be charmed, bribed or sweettalked into giving him any special treatment on his final exams. So, with Edwin's (Daniel Magder) and George's (John Ralston) help, Derek's bedroom is turned into a war room complete with study schedules, tutoring and lots of brain/junk food. Meanwhile, Casey is so freaked out about the upcoming exams, she starts forgetting everything she knows. Nora (Joy Tanner) and the girls treat her to a home spa day to try to help her relax. But nothing works for either of them. Derek still doesn't know anything, and Casey can't remember anything until she accidentally stumbles upon a crazy solution that could help them both.
Episode 16
Truman's Last Chance
Wed, Mar 18, 200922 mins
Now that they've been dating for a few weeks, Casey (Ashley Leggat) and Truman (Joe Dinicol) have officially reached boyfriend/girlfriend status. So when Truman announces he's going to a private school party in Toronto that weekend, Casey assumes she's invited. But Nora isn't sure how she feels about Truman and doesn't like Casey travelling two hours to a party. Even though Casey volunteers to stay with her cousin Vicki (Paula Brancati), Nora still isn't comfortable with the idea. Instead, she suggests Derek (Michael Seater) chaperone. Casey is outraged at the idea, but that's the condition. Casey's not the only McDonald girl with a date Saturday night Lizzie (Jordan Todosey) has one too and with a boy Nora's never met. Nora figures Lizzie could also use a chaperone and finds Edwin (Daniel Magder) more than happy to oblige. Though Derek had intended to spend his time in Toronto hanging with his hockey buddies, he quickly changes his plans when he meets a cute girl while dropping Casey and Vicki off at the party. Unfortunately the night is less successful for Casey, who not only learns that Vicki and Truman used to date, but catches them in a kiss. Devastated, Casey finds support from a most unlikely source: Derek. Back home at Smelly Nellie's, chaperone Edwin is giving Lizzie's date, Marvin (Landon Norris), the third degree. Lizzie is furious and Marvin is very uncomfortable. Edwin finally does the right thing and leaves before Marvin does.
Episode 17
Surprise!
Wed, Mar 25, 200922 mins
Prom is fast approaching, and Derek (Michael Seater) and Casey (Ashley Leggat) are scrambling to find dates. Casey had planned on going with Truman (Joe Dinicol), but isn't talking to him after what happened at the party in Toronto. And though Derek had a first, second and third choice picked out, when he finally gets around to asking, each girl has already committed to go with someone else. Casey decides prom will be more fun with a friend, and since her male pals are already spoken for, she asks Emily (Shadia Simmons) to be her date right before Derek hears that Emily is available and asks her himself. Emily tells him she can't since Casey asked first and is her best friend, though this is a hard decision after a surprise kiss reveals Derek has more than just a friend feelings for her. If he wants to take Emily to the prom, Derek's going to have to find someone else to take Casey and he thinks he knows just the person. George (John Ralston) and Nora (Joy Tanner), meanwhile, wait for an appropriate time to share a BIG secret with the family.
Episode 18
Futuritis
Wed, Mar 25, 200922 mins
In the series finale of Life with Derek, Casey (Ashley Leggat) has been chosen valedictorian of her graduating class, but a case of "futuritis" has left her struggling to write her speech, which is supposed to celebrate the future. She has received a scholarship to Queens University in Kingston but is having second thoughts about moving so far away from her family. Derek (Michael Seater) claims not to be worried about anything he's planning to go to Europe the following year whether he gets into university or not. But he's having trouble convincing everyone including the principal, his girlfriend and his own father that he's not planning a prank for the graduation ceremony. Meanwhile, Edwin (Daniel Magder) is nervous about starting high school in the fall, worried that he won't live up to Derek's legendary reputation. After a discussion with his brother, he decides if he's going to make a name for himself at Thompson High, he'll have to pull off something big and fast! A prank at Casey and Derek's graduation ceremony could be just the ticket. The morning of the ceremony Casey has been up all night writing and rewriting her speech, and Derek is nowhere to be seen. Will Casey realize she has to speak from the heart? And is Derek really going to leave Edwin to carry on the 'prankster' torch alone?