“Malcolm in the Middle” is kind of an odd show. It seems like something we’ve seen before, but I can’t really think of anything similar. Newer sitcoms like “Modern Family” and those other 4 programs just like “Modern Family” delve into the dysfunctional family in a kind of dark way as well, but they are centered more on the adults. “The Middle” also feels pretty close to “Malcolm in the Middle”, but that could just be the title. Either way, I’m probably inaccurately declaring that this program kind of opened up a new fairly specific genre of family sitcom that others have ran with. Unlike most “firsts” that wail away in mediocrity only to see their predecessors flourish, “Malcolm in the Middle” not only did well, but it stayed around long enough to jump the shark. So good for you guys. I really wish that “Breaking Bad” was a sequel and Bryan Cranston was still playing Hal. It seems like an accurate way for this family to end up.
Our titular character is played my Frankie Muniz. Instead of doing research, I know he’s gone on to be a race car driver and drummer for a low level band. I’m sure this show made him plenty of money though, so why not do what you love? He did a very good job of playing the neurotic genius among the sea of imbeciles. He was hyper intelligent but his lack social skills and tact did enough to hamper him. Likely it’s that horrible family he has, because despite his best efforts, a lot of times he goes down the same nefarious road as his brothers. Malcolm was flawed, as most brilliant people are (don’t I know it) and treated people poorly. I’d like to think he was trying to be a good person.
Two of the brothers in question are Reece and Dewey. They are both idiots. Malcolm somehow siphoned their intelligence and left them with borderline mental retardation to deal with.
They all are actually kind of terrible
Dewey is stupid and he has a menacing side. He’s really the most complex of the bunch because also tends to be quite sweet. When he doesn’t get his way though, look out. He’s like Stewie Griffin if he’d been dropped on his head. Though looking at Stewie’s head that actually may have happened, but I digress. Dewey is normally the C or D plot in the shows, but they were memorable because he tended to get the weirdest. That being said, I can’t think of many of the top of my head. I know there is some kind of irony there but I’m not in my right mind.
Reece is more than stupid. He doesn’t even really have the redeeming qualities that his little brothers have. He bullies his brothers and other school children. His mom seems to be the only one who really can make him stop being such an idiot. He will at times let family pride set in and you think he’ll be a good person, but tends to use that motivation to do something horrible. He’s what I would like to imagine Kelso from “That 70’s Show” was like as a younger teen.
There is a third brother in question named Francis who is the bad seed of all bad seeds. Oddly enough he’s been sent away to military school and seems to actually be the son with the best intentions. He derives most of his problems from trying to stand up to bullies and push back against authority. I guess those aren’t great qualities, but I like him the most. He later lives with some weird foreigners and marries one too. It’s a whole thing. Feel free to look into it. I’ve got way more to cover.
On second thought, do we need to talk about the parents? I think it’s pretty well worn territory. Mom is a mean hag the likes of which we’ve never seen before. She yells, screams, acts generally terrible and expects her kids to react well. Hate her. Worst part of the show.
Her husband Hal on the other hand is great. He’s lovable, weak and generally a push over. Who doesn’t love that? He also has very obsessive tendencies. He could get possessive and vengeful. That’s enough for them. Just watch the show okay? If you haven’t seen one episode just search it online.You’ll find clips.
5 points for whom ever finds this screen shot first!
If you do watch the show you’ll begin with hearing a song by They Might Be Giants very aptly named “You’re not the Boss of Me”. You’ll get what I mean if you’ve never heard it before. Within that opening sequence is a shot of one Chris Benoit. That is only worth mentioning because seeing him on television anywhere else is very unlikely these days.
The plot of the show varies. It’s somewhat linear but mainly you could just tune and get some laughs. Due to the program running for a long time and dealing with kids, there are a ton of different settings and side characters. A lot of people like to talk about this guy:
But I want to talk about a man that Francis had to deal with a lot:
In a rare moment of being real in my review, I want to bring attention to Daniel Von Bargen who plays Commandant Spangler. He had played some kind of cop in a lot of stuff and was a jerk to me when I was in high school. Despite that encounter, I do feel for the man. Based on news reports from (find one) he lost a most of a leg because of diabetes and survived a suicide attempt once he found out his other foot needed to be removed. I don’t know what is to be gained here. He was great in a bunch of stuff and is clearly troubled. Buy some stuff to support him I guess. Being a graduate of the same high school I tend to support the man despite him tearing high school newspaper reporter me apart about 8 years ago.
And now fun:
