Few television shows have been able to submerge me into a blissful state of immersion; and, like many people, I find it difficult to adopt a sense of disbelief even for the clearly outrageous actions undertaken by the cast. Perhaps I have become far in tune with reality and my viewing habits only crave TV shows that conform to the idea of an accurate depiction of modern life.
Well, I believe that I’ve found something better than my mundane approach to enjoying channels that relatedly tell the same story. I wish to tell you about my new favorite TV show. It’s not new, it’s not some rare gem from the backlog, and it certainly won’t surprise anyone as to why I want to praise it for its ingenuity. This is my short review on the TV show, Malcolm in the Middle.
A short synopsis of the long-running TV series involves the recounting of the everyday lives of a boy named Malcolm and his not so ordinary suburban family. Of course, no family is perfect, and their shortcomings are what make them so unique.
It seems that Malcolm’s family is particularly unique in that the mother is a compulsive control freak who, we all know, only means well for her family. The father is a hilarious goofball. The eldest son is a notorious troublemaker who ran away from home and was enlisted in a preparatory military academy. Next in line is another son named Reese, who is criminally underrated. Malcolm is the boy genius whose perspective is that of the audience. Finally, there’s little Dewey (bless his heart), who is just happy to be there.
We view their misfit adventures that include, but are not limited to, using a high pressured hose as propulsion to clear a ramp, skip school with their father to watch NASCAR races, and pile millions of dollars in property damage on a weekly basis. I can’t help but love them for it! No matter how life-threatening the stakes become.
This TV series may have aired quite some time ago, early 2000 in fact, but it has managed to maintain a sense of charm to it that continues to hold to this day. One can’t help but wonder though, just what is it that makes this sitcom so different from that of any other?
I strongly believe that it is the sheer absurdity of the dysfunction faced within the family and their shenanigans (all based loosely on reality) that makes this such a beloved series. Granted, I have only seen the first three seasons as of writing this post, but my desire to binge every episode is only strengthened in these times of self-isolation.
There are clear indicators of inspiration in familial undertones from such classics such as the 1993 sitcom The Nanny, as well as comedic associations of situational humor seen in 1989’s Seinfield. Malcolm in the Middle, however, takes it to a brilliant new level, and I can’t believe it has taken me so long to experience such an enjoyable series. Then again, I was too young at the time of its initial release date, so perhaps it was for the best. Jokes would have been flying over my head far too often for me to truly enjoy.
In conclusion, I would highly recommend watching Malcolm in the Middle. The cast is more than memorable, and their dynamic character progression is sure to meet even the harshest of expectations.
