Plot
Edit
Malcolm's teacher forces him to secretly record Reese as he divulges his innermost secrets; Francis strikes back after a critic writes a scathing review about the hotel; Dewey secretly starts his own novelty act at an outdoor mall.
SypnosisEdit
Malcolm films Reese for a school psychology assignment, then discovers that he is an unwitting participant in one of Mr. Herkabe's experiments, causing him to be portrayed as a sadistic maniac, also losing Reese's trust.
Meanwhile, Hal fears he'll lose his job when top officials at his company are arrested for embezzlement. He tires to keep this information to himself as to not worry his family about the financial trouble at his place of work
Lois is having problems with her two biggest tormentors aside Malcolm and Reese, the defective washer and dryer. They keep breaking down and she keeps yelling at them to stop it. Hal comes home and suggests they replace it, but she refuses. Lois reminds him of the financial trouble they're in due to her own problems at Lucky Aide.
At the Grotto Ranch, Francis strikes back after critic Charles Cutler writes a scathing review about ranch. When they invite him back, his criticism is nothing but verbal abuse. After insulting Francis and Otto, Piama stands up to Cutler and calls him a selfish bully for his wrongful reviews. Angered by her for standing up to his reviews, Cutler racially insults Piama for Inupiat heritage. The angered Francis and Otto responds by beating him senseless. After Cutler is taken to the hospital, the newspapers trumpet the story and exposing the latter's selfishness. The Grotto's business begins to boom again, largely because every Restaurant, Hotel and Art Gallery in the state despised Cutler and are happy to see that he got what he deserved. He even gave a scathing review for the hospital he was at. According to Otto, Cutler was also fired from his job at the newspaper for his egotistical behavior and it's implied he's never going to find work as a critic again.
When Dewey skips school, he starts earning big money working as a street magician. Soon, Hal and Lois finds his stash of money. However, they assume it was from Hal's secret savings and end up using the money to buy a new washer and dryer.
Malcolm comes up with a quick plan for payback against Herkabe. To do so, he initiates a fight between school bully, Ira, and another student. This distracts Herkabe to run out and break the fight up. Malcolm goes into his office and locks the door. In there, he reveals the other students' dirty secrets (also his own as payback to Reese) they paid Herkabe over the years. Humiliated, Herkabe asks his sidekick to erase the files, but the damages have been done. In the end, Malcolm is suspended from school along with having to clean the cafeteria. A gleeful Reese is having the time of his life pointing out the other students flaws, causing everybody to distance themselves in shame.
At the house, Dewey teaches Hal how to properly use the new washer and dryer to avoid another mess that lead to the first ones being Lois' tormenters
CastEdit
- Jane Kaczmerek 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 StarsEdit
RecurringEdit
- Chris Eigeman as Mr. Herkabe
- Kenneth Mars as Otto
- Jonny Acker as Ira Prescott
- Craig Lamar Traylor as Stevie Kenarban
- Emy Coligado as Piama
CameosEdit
- Don McManus as Charles Cutler
- Julian Barnes as Mr. Fortinberry
- Joan Blair as Lunch Lady Shirley
- David Battisini as Truant Officer
- Darryl Reed Jr. as Senior
- Jennifer Shon as Patty Lin
- Jacob Gray as Malcolm's Classmate (Uncredited)
TriviaEdit
- This episode establishes that the defective washer and dryer are another members of Lois' tormenters aside Reese and Malcolm.
- This is the 2nd time that Piama suffered racism for her Inupiat heritage. The first time was back in Baby Part 1 when Ida insults her.
