Dewey's Special Class is the 19th episode of Season 5 and the 103rd episode overall.
Synopsis[]
Dewey is asked to take an IQ test by his counselor. Fearing that the IQ test is the same test that got him placed with the Krelboyne class, Malcolm plans to sabotage Dewey's test. Trying to convince Dewey to throw the test and failing, he enlists Reese's help. However, his poor test taking skills lands Dewey in the emotionally disturbed Buseys class, rather than keep him in the normal education. Feeling guilty for it, Malcolm tries to convince the counselor to retest Dewey. Despite being sympathetic to his plight, she tells Malcolm she can't do anything about it and he'll have to wait until then. This makes him worried because if Lois finds out about him sabotaging Dewey, he'll suffer a lengthy grounding. Meanwhile, Hal is recruited by Craig to be his partner playing Jump Jump Dance (a parody of Dance Dance Revolution) at a restaurant arcade. Reese tries to figure out what kind of genius he is. In the end after taking over the class from the teacher, Dewey tells Lois about Malcolm's actions, which get him grounded for sabotaging Dewey's education.
Plot[]
In the cold opening at the Grotto, Otto and Francis are holding a press conference to blow up a dam that is blocking breeding grounds for endangered silver-back trout followed by a catered lunch. Francis observes through his binoculars the dynamite looks like a picnic cooler. Otto detonates the dynamite blowing up his truck realizing too late that the dynamite and the cooler were accidentally switched.
The Wilkersons are at an arcade. Malcolm states that Dewey got to pick the restaurant for dinner and is unsure whether it is a treat for Dewey or a punishment for everyone else. He assumes it must be a little bit of both. Dewey is encouraging a cow mascot to tell a chicken mascot how he feels about her. At the table, Dewey questions why their parents let him pick the restaurant. Reese assumes he is dying and needs to come up with a really good wish, Hal corrects Reese and states that if Dewey truly were dying they'd at least spring for Red Lobster. Lois informs Dewey his guidance counselor Mrs. Welsh would like Dewey to take an IQ test. Malcolm is appalled but Lois informs him to not get involved and that he won't be poisoning his brother because he is a different person who may not automatically have the same experience. Malcolm fights back claiming after transferring to the Krelboyne class he lost all his friends and earned the disdain of the rest of the school. Lois points out the advantages of being in the Krelboyne class with Malcolm claiming the advantages made the general populace of the school jealous and envious of them.
Hal tries to lecture Malcolm but gets distracted by a game called "Jump Jump Dance Party". He finds Craig protecting his high score and enjoys it for being cheaper than a gym with no shower bullies. The manager hopes Craig is staying out of the ball pit, Craig invites Hal to try, pushing away a young boy named Davey. Hal proves to be a natural, Lois sees this and isn't happy as she just got Hal to quit his latest phase of ice sculpting and now that he has found a new phase her and Jamie will be on their own for the next month. Dewey questions why the school thinks he’s a genius, since he isn’t a whiny loudmouth who complains about everything like Malcolm. Reese observes how both his brothers are geniuses so he assumes it'll only be a matter of time until he discovers he's a genius. Lois, Malcolm and Dewey all remain silent since they know Reese will never be a genius. He then gets a difficult math question incorrect, but is adamant although he's not Rain Man someday they'll invent a machine to do math for people.
He memorizes the test enough to give the answers (half of it right and other half wrong) on a paper. Stevie states they'd need an idiot to take the test, just then Reese runs in informing the two he went to the library to figure out what kind of genius he was and discovered that people can download internet porn on the computers and the librarians can't do anything to stop them. As he runs off to inform his mom, Malcolm gets an idea and manipulates Reese to take the test for Dewey, hoping to keep him in the normal class.
Hal and Craig continue their dancing and Hal states that although the game cost him all his lunch money and $200 worth of quarters, it’s worth it. Davey asks if one of them can have a heart attack already so the rest of the kids can have a turn. Craig tells Hal he is ready and he entered them in the weekly Jump Jump Dance competition. Hal isn't sure, but Craig is convinced he is ready and that someone needs to put two teenage girls named Hayley and Kylie, the reigning champions in their place. Hayley tells them they will only make idiots of themselves and Kylie tells them it’s a competition for kids, but Craig read the rules 3 times and there was nothing preventing adults from participating.
Malcolm coaches Dewey on how to "throw" an IQ test so he will not end up in the Krelboyne class. He mentions his concerns because of his own experiences. Malcolm also mentions to Dewey that being in the Krelboynes will make him a target to potential bullies. When he refuses and announces his intent to join the Krelboyne class since he heard they recently got a robotic parrot capable of speaking twenty different languages. Malcolm is desperate to put a stop to it and reminds Dewey that he’s the good brother. Dewey is unconvinced since he constantly beats him up and makes fun of him, Malcolm claims he only did that when he was being annoying and that he was the coolest person in the class. Dewey agrees and takes the answer sheet. Stevie questions if it’ll work, Malcolm assures him that if there’s one thing he knows, Reese would never be smart enough to get into the Krelboyne class.
Unfortunately, Reese’s poor test taking skills land Dewey in the emotionally disturbed “Busey” class, much to his shock. Dewey’s guidance counsellor Mrs. Welsh assures him that they don’t use those kind of labels and a blue folder with an asterisk beside his name just means that he needs a little more special attention than other kids. She introduces him to the teacher Mr. Phil Sheridan before leaving. He informs Dewey that there is no yelling, hitting, kicking or physical contact of any kind. He is allowed to cry if he does it quietly and to find an available seat. He sits besides a boy named Chad who is wearing mittens. Chad asks if he can scratch his nose for him. Dewey questions a sign on his shirt that reads “Don’t Touch, Bites”. Chad claims he can ignore the sign, but unbeknownst to Dewey there is another sign on his back that reads “Don’t Ignore the Sign”.
However, his poor test taking skills lands Dewey in the emotionally disturbed "Busey" class, instead of keeping him in the regular class like Malcolm wanted. teacher Mr. Phil Sheridan informs Dewey of the rules and how he can't yell or touch anyone but he is allowed to cry quietly. Dewey sits down next to a boy named Chad who wears mittens and has signs on him. Chad asks Dewey if he can scratch his nose but Dewey sees the sign on him says "Do not touch, bites" Chad claims he can ignore the sign. However there is a sign on his back that reads "Do not ignore the sign."
Back at the house, Dewey tells Malcolm about being put in the Buseys remedial class and how they learned about how their greatest enemies are “Mr. Matches” and “Mr. Talk Out of Turn” and how he got to see a crane lower a flight simulator into the Krelboyne classroom. Malcolm asks if Lois knows, Dewey states that if she did, he wouldn't be alive right now. He feels guilty for ruining Dewey's chances to remain in the normal class. Knowing that Lois will be furious with Malcolm later on, he begs Dewey not to tell their mom. Dewey likes his begging but it’s missing something, he desperately offers Dewey his paycheque of $98 to help him cover up the truth and he will give him every cent he makes until he can talk to Mrs. Welsh and convince her about getting him retested again. To keep Lois from finding out the truth, Malcolm covers for Dewey by lying to her that Dewey got into the Krelboyne class and feigns being angry about it before leaving. This is only to cover up while he tries to help get him out of the class. Reese comes into the kitchen shackled in chains and tells his mother he is not an escape artist.
In the Busey class the next day, Mr. Sheridan announces now that Chad has apologized to everyone else in the class for biting, they can continue to read "The Polar Express" he calls up a boy named Hanson who rides on an imaginary motorcycle but has to be told several times by Mr. Sheridan not to do it before doing it and being forced to sit back down and make everyone else sit through more quiet time. Dewey asks Hanson why he did that and Hanson responds with the fact he already read the book 3 years ago and the teachers treat them like they're stupid instead of just weird and the school is slowly killing him. The class then goes outside for recess where the all they can do is stand exactly an arms length apart from each other outside. Chad tells Dewey they're not allowed to have recess with the general population of students for making them too sad. Dewey hears the Krelboyne class playing swing jazz music and sees what he and his classmates are missing out on.
At Dewey's school, Malcolm speaks to the school counselor, Mrs. Welsh, and tries to convince her to retest his younger brother. She tells him that she can only discuss that with the with his parents. Malcolm tells lies to Mrs. Welsh that he could get in a lot of trouble for being there but feels that he needs to tell her why Dewey scored the way he did. He lies that Lois is a recovering substance abuse addict who had a "relapse" the morning of Dewey's test which is why she can't find out that Malcolm came to her. He doesn't want to say that his mother is dangerous but she's still his mom and he loves her. Mrs. Welsh believes Malcolm must really care about his family. Malcolm claims it's been really hard. Mrs. Welsh is sympathetic to his plight, she informs Malcolm that she'll see what she can do and assures Malcolm that she won't tell his mother about it. She simply resolves to only communicate with his father from now on and thanks him for the heads up before closing the door. This makes Malcolm worried because if Lois finds out that he sabotaged Dewey's test, he'll face a lengthy grounding.
Mrs. Welsh's decision unknowingly works in Malcolm's favor since Hal is too distracted by the dance competition to pay attention to her messages. Hal claims that his new jazz shoes have really helped his kick turns and they were totally worth the $150 he spent. Lois gets up and tells Hal it is 5 AM and he and Craig have been practicing all night. Hal understands if she thinks it's silly and he's gone off the deep end but claims this is different because he has a gift which he cannot turn his back on. Lois realizes they have now entered "Phase 2" which is manageable as long as Hal follows the rules: he has to go to work, eat, not involve the boys and she froze their joint bank account before returning to bed.
The next day, the Busey class is making flowers out of tissues, Dewey questions why and Mr. Sheridan tells him since tissues are soft and non-toxic they are safe to use so no one gets hurt or sues the school, he also informs him he only gets paid 4 days a week. Dewey is off put by the methods used including doing math without pencils, history without hardcover books and wonders if they could at least have real art supplies. Mr. Sheridan informs him that it would mean the kids may try to stab with scissors and eat paste, and some attempted to eat scissors and Chad tried to stab with paste. Dewey informs him teachers are supposed to help their students and if he made an effort to help them maybe he wouldn't be so unhappy. Mr. Sheridan claims he'll never get through the year with an attitude like his and he should take his hopes and dreams and let them die so he can grow up not regretting how much ass he kissed in grad school. Hanson thanks Dewey for trying and Chad claims if he can get his hands on the paste, he'll stab Mr. Sheridan for him.
After school, Lois is feeding Jamie while telling him a story about how babies who pull hair are eaten by wolves. Mrs. Welsh arrives at the house and tells Malcolm she's is going to try to resolve his mother's conflict much to his horror. She tells her how Malcolm came to see her and hold her that Dewey had been placed in the wrong class. Thinking she is talking about Dewey being placed in the Krelboyne class she reprimands Malcolm claiming he had no right to do so. Mrs. Welsh states that she looked through Dewey's records didn't match his performance and she'd be more than willing to retest Dewey for admittance to the Krelboyne program. Still assuming she is talking about the Krelboyne class instead of the Busey class she refuses claiming do he deserves and needs to be in that class. Mrs. Welsh remembers how unstable she is and that she didn't come over to upset her and the last thing she wants is for her to feel out of control. Lois claims she will see out of control if she doesn't leave Dewey in his current class because she doesn't want to mess with their family. Mrs. Welsh backs off suggesting maybe they can talk again in a month or so when she's feeling stronger and she will work around any of her meetings before Malcolm immediately slams the door. He feigns being insulted for how Mrs. Welsh talked to her and although he unsuccessfully tried to keep Dewey out of the Krelboyne class she had no right to do that but Lois tells him to put a cork in it and not think that he's not still in trouble just because his plan to keep Dewey out of the Krelboyne class didn't work. Malcolm is relieved that he got away by the skin of his teeth.
Meanwhile, Reese tries to figure out what type of genius he is. After failing at several attempts (including "Hypnotist", "Archbishop", "Dictator for Life", "Escape artist", "Skyscraper Repairman", "Twin", "Fireproof" and "Talks to animals") Reese moves on to the next items on his list of potential genius vocations.
Hal and Craig arrive at the arcade for the dance contest. When another mother asks Lois which kids are hers she points to Hal and Craig causing her to back away. Hayley claims that they look so ridiculous she'll use a photo of them in their outfits as her screensaver. Craig tells Hal not to let their insults get to them and soon they'll feel as stupid as they think they look. Craig then suffers an injury after twisting his ankle from tripping over tassels he added onto his outfit. Craig claims he flew too close to the sun with his outfit but tells Hal he needs to go on without him because they've come too far to back out now. Hal tries to turn to Lois and informs her they've had their disagreements about the amount of time he spent focusing on the dance contest, but ends up getting the help of Davey who knows his and Craig's routine. He only agrees to help him if he get the prize (a coupon for two free medium pizzas) and Hal agrees. They throw down some very well choreographed dance moves including a difficult pencil turn and end up winning. Craig claims to Lois that they've lost Hal and he now belongs to everybody. Once the competition is over Lois is relieved and asks Hal for some help with Jamie, Hal agrees although he still has the dance hexadecimal playing in his head.
In the Busey class, Hanson asks his teacher why the sound of an approaching motorcycle sounds different than the sound of a retreating motorcycle. Mr. Sheridan claims that as soon as he explained it he'd have forgotten the question. After sitting down Dewey explains the Doppler effect to Hanson, claiming he is a genius and his imaginary friends were right. After Dewey explains Hanson excitedly celebrates that he learned something but his victory is short-lived before Mr. Sheridan says maybe he shouldn't learn things if he's going to be so disruptive, visually disappointing him. Dewey then realizes that his classmates aren't disturbed as much as they are starved for stimulation. Mr. Sheridan hasn't done anything to teach the class because he's too wrapped up in his own miserable life. Dewey decides that this is the last straw and announces that everyone who hates the way they are being treated to follow him. Dewey leads the class out of the classroom and to a takeover of the Krelboyne class whereupon the Buseys seize musical instruments, art supplies, stationary items, books and other supplies and return to their classroom to actually start learning. Realizing that he had lost control, Mr. Sheridan cowers in the corner and repeatedly says "quiet minds are happy minds" eventually he concedes defeat and quits his job as a teacher. Because of his actions in taking over the class from the incompetent teacher, Dewey becomes the Buseys leader.
The next day, Malcolm comes into the bedroom and informs Dewey he figured out how to cover their tracks: he broke into the principals office and created a second fictional Dewey in another school system and all they have to do is pretend he is dead for two days and they are back in business. Dewey claims it to be good news and immediately confesses to Lois about Malcolm's plot that got him sent to the Busey class and he has been there for the past two weeks. Lois is visibly furious at Malcolm. Dewey then states that they must have a lot to talk about and leaves Malcolm alone to face being grounded by Lois as vengeance for sabotaging his chances of being in the Krelboyne class.
Reese then rushes into the kitchen excitedly to tell Dewey that he's finally figured out what kind of genius he is. Reese proceeds to punch Dewey on the top of the head, knocking him to the floor. "There it was, just staring me in the face... C'mon Dewey, please stay awake. I've got so much to show you!" Reese tells Dewey, implying that his genius superpower is bullying.
Cast[]
- Jane Kaczmarek as Lois
- Bryan Cranston as Hal
- Christopher Kennedy Masterson as Francis
- Justin Berfield as Reese
- Erik Per Sullivan as Dewey
- Frankie Muniz as Malcolm
Guest Stars[]
Recurring[]
- James and Lukas Rodriguez as Jamie
- Cameron Monaghan as Chad
- Danny McCarthy as Hanson
- Amy Bruckner as Zoe
- Trisha O'Kelley as Mrs. Welsh
- Craig Lamar Taylor as Stevie
- David Anthony Higgins as Craig
- Kenneth Mars as Otto
Cameo[]
- Matt Malloy as Mr. Sheridan
- Amy Castle as Hayley
- Dennis Bendersky as Davey
- David Trice as a manager
- Ayla Kell as Kylie
- David Cox as Special kid 1
- Raven Goodwin as Special Kid #2
- Nikki Lee as Special Kid #3
- Christopher Gerse as Brett
- Luan Gideonn as a woman
Trivia[]
- First appearances of Mrs. Welsh, David Hanson, Zoe Desenea, and Chad.
- Much like how the gifted class has the nickname "The Krelboynes", this episode shows that the school also has an emotionally disturbed class called "The Buseys".
- Jump Jump Dance Party is a parody of Dance Dance Revolution.
- The songs that play on Jump Jump Dance party throughout the episode are Milkshake by Kelis, The Hampsterdance, a remake of Double Dutch Bus originally by Frankie Smith, a remix of All Around the World by Cooler Kids, and a remake of Sometimes When We Touch originally by Dan Hill.
- The comic book “Galactic Mutants” Stevie reads in the boys room is the same comic Hal bought for Malcolm and later Dewey in the episode Forwards Backwards.
- Lois called Hal and Craig "Fred and Ginger". This was a reference to Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, two famous dance partners that were featured in many movies together.
- After being called "Fred and Ginger", Craig said "I thought they were Fred and Barney", referring to Fred Flintstone and Barney Rubble from The Flintstones.
- After tripping on the additional tassels added onto his costume, Craig says that he "flew too close to the sun", referring to the story of Icarus from Greek Mythology.
- Bryan Cranston (Hal) said in an interview that he and Dave Higgins (Craig), had to practice playing "Jump Jump Dance Party" for six weeks in order to prepare for their roles in this episode.
- Bryan Cranston's dancing sequence received an Emmy award nomination for "Outstanding Choreography".
- Francis and Otto only appeared in the cold opening. This episode also marks Otto's final appearance. He was unable to return in the following seasons due to pancreatic cancer.
- Mr. Sheridan makes his first and only appearance as the incompetent teacher of the Busey class. He is later replaced in season 6 by Mr. Flerch.
- Malcolm's sabotage on Dewey's test is referenced in Buseys Run Away when Lois confronted Mrs. Welsh.
- Reese tries to figure out what kind of genius he is. In the episode Academic Octathalon Lois explains that he is neither book nor street smart.
- In an original scene, after finding out that Reese screwed Dewey over, Malcolm is angered. He tells Dewey to go to his room because this is a conversation he needs to have with their brother. Malcolm shoves Reese to a wall and he demands to know what's going on. He confronts Reese for screwing up big time. He defends himself by pointing out that he kept Dewey out of the Krelboyne class like they planned. Malcolm points out he didn't do enough to keep Dewey in the regular class like he was supposed to. This was dropped to reduce screen time.
- The scenes where Malcolm bribes Dewey with his paycheck then lies to Lois, and where Reese tries to figure out what genius he was were added in lieu of the above.
- Lois warns Reese for the 2nd time not to find out what genius he is because he's just wasting his time, referencing her speech from Academic Octathalon. He points out in argument that Malcolm is book smart, Francis is street smart whom is a natural leader and Dewey big a music genius, while ignoring the fact that he is a rare combination of both book and street smart. Lois points out that's true, but she mentions that despite being a culinary wiz, Reese is still nether book nor street smart and will still be an idiot and a delinquent.
- Hal originally covered for the boys by lying to Lois about Dewey making the Krelboyne class. He and Reese were supposed to give Dewey their paychecks to keep their secret. This was dropped as well and given to Malcolm instead.
- Hal competing with Craig in the Jump Jump Dance Party wasn't part of the storyline and was only added to reduce screen time.
- Stevie had a bigger role in which he argued his case against Malcolm's plans in defense of Dewey and let him join the Krelboyne class. He was also present when he and Malcolm went to Mrs. Welsh's office. He tried to appeal to her to get Dewey retested. He remorsefully confesses to his role in the sabotage and his fears of Dewey being bullied by his other classmates if he joined the Krelboyne class. Malcolm admits that he went through a similar bullying back in middle school when he joined the class and how he lost a lot of his friends due to that. He apologizes for what he done to stress Dewey out with his horrible behavior and causing him to score the way he did. Malcolm asks Mrs. Welsh not to contact Lois because she's suffering from a mental breakdown from being overworked at Lucky Aide and just talk to Hal. After being unable to convince Mrs. Welsh, Stevie confronts Malcolm for his behavior and warns him that Lois will learn the truth. When she does, he, Hal, and Reese will be in serious trouble. Malcolm feels much worse and tells Stevie that he will be truthful from now on. This was dropped as well because it would have given the episode too many plotlines to focus on.
- The beginning scene with Francis and Otto involving a dam was originally a side story, but an important one. They show up to a press conference and protest against building a dam, revealing it would impede on the wild horses breeding grounds. When this concern is ignored, Francis and Otto takes the protest to another level by handcuffing themselves on the spot where the company plans to build the dam akin to what Al Bundy did on Married with Children in protest of a new goalpost at his former high school. This brings media attention as a reporter interviews the two men. Piama and Gretchen are watching this unfold, embarrassed. They head over to confront Francis and Otto in taking this protest too far until they see the wild horses breeding and realize the significance of that spot.
- In the original ending, Malcolm feels so terrible in how he ruined Dewey's education by sabotaging his chances of joining the Krelboynes. He tells Lois the truth in everything he and Reese done to Dewey and including how they sabotaged his test. Angered and fed up with their misbehavior, she tells them she's shipping them off to separate locations for extra discipline. Lois mentions that Malcolm will be enrolled in Marlin Academy for what he done (akin to Francis), while Reese will be sent to an Arizona work farm for Troubled Teens. This was dropped because it would remove Malcolm and Reese from the show entirely and result to the show being brought to an abrupt and anticlimactic end.
- This was changed to only Malcolm being grounded (off-screen), while Reese had an entirely separate plotline altogether.
- All eleven of Dewey's classmates in the Busey class are referred to by name from Mr. Sheridan.
- Their names are Chad, Hanson, Zoe, Lester, Max, Phoebe, Garth, Michelle, Linda, Jeffy and Kerry.
- The middle school exterior looks different than when Malcolm attended. The Krelboyne portable classroom has always stayed the same, but glimpses of the surroundings show the high school courtyard. At the start of season 4, the middle school exterior was redressed to create the high school courtyard.