Health Insurance is the second episode of season seven of Malcolm in the Middle.
Plot[]
In the cold opening, Reese is attempting and failing to get brain freeze by eating a large amount of ice cream and popsicles. Malcolm and Dewey each give him different suggestions. Malcolm states that although it isn't scientific research the fact that Reese can't get brain freeze has to prove something. Reese pauses and says that he's feeling something in his toes, and starts eating faster.
After Hal forgets to pay the family's health insurance, the company won't reinstate it until Monday, so he panics. He locks up every sharp or dangerous object in the house, a category in which he thinks mere spoons belong, in the garage, accidentally leaving Jamie in the middle of the pile of knives, pokers, and chainsaws. He also locks up the boys in their room to keep them from getting hurt, but ends up hurting himself. The boys lie to Lois on Hal's behalf and take him to a veterinarian to treat him. Meanwhile, Lois thinks that Craig is snitching to the boss about the employees starting a union. She insinuates this to the rest of the Lucky Aide staff, and they beat Craig up. It is later revealed that Craig is, in fact, not the snitch, and he was merely planning a surprise party for Lois.
Cast[]
- Jane Kaczmarek as Lois
- Bryan Cranston as Hal
- Christopher Masterson as Francis
- Justin Berfield as Reese
- Erik Per Sullivan as Dewey
- Frankie Muniz as Malcolm
Guest Stars[]
Recurring[]
Cameos[]
- Tara Karsian as Shelly
- Scott Adsit as Joe
- Richard V. Licata as Cochran
- Wes Robinson as Richard
- Diana Murphy as Connie
- Miss Laura Hayes as Hattie
- Preston Shores as Teddy
- Trevor Shores as Teddy
Trivia[]
- Hal reveals that he once left Dewey in Mexico. This possibly refers to the first time Hal tried to reach the ranch and ended up in Mexico instead, which Francis mentioned in an earlier episode.
- The cold open reveals that Reese is immune to brain freeze.
- In Grandma Sues, Reese says he never reads comics, but in this episode, he is shown reading a comic while he eats his eggs.
- Reese states that he is 17 years old in the episode.
- The song played before and during Hal's "We're living in a death house" line is "The Nightmare Begins" by John Devereaux. This song has also been used in Spongebob Squarepants, The Adventures of Pete & Pete, and Wandavision.
Quotes[]
- Hal: I got news for you, Reese. Seventeen-year-olds die all the time.
- Reese: Come on, Dad, that's just something they tell you so you'll stay off drugs.
- Hal: It's a very special moment when a father watches his boys lie to their mother for him. There's only one thing that could make me prouder: if one of you could saw off my leg.
- Craig: Let the records show that I advocated a policy of cowardice and appeasement.
Errors[]
- During Hal’s phone call to the insurance company an arm and white shirt sleeve can be seen in the right side of the scene -- possibly a goof up or mistake that was left in by the camera crew and directors.