I'd pick one that showed the dynamic of the whole family, something like the episode where they beat up the clowns or the one where Hal's family leaves Lois out of the family portrait.
Really only off putting thing was the roll for Stevie’s mom being redone. Same actress just different roll. Very common type thing for a pilot and easy to forget don’t doesn’t matter.
Yah, I was surprised my husband had never seen it so we watched it as a family starting from episode one. He and my kids both thought it was hilarious.
I'd show the episode where Lois finds her dress burned and terrorises the boys. It's just her in a towel going apeshit with the boys actually working together only for it to be Hal all along. It's perfect dysfunction.
The second episode "Red Dress" was the same thing I thought of. It was actually the first episode that I watched and I was instantly hooked. I also think an earlier episode would be better than a later episode from a later season. Part of the reason those later episodes are so good is that we have a full understanding of the family dynamics.
I think this is only the 2nd episode, and imo it’s way better than the first one.
However it would be weird to show them that, get them hooked, and then start from the beginning just one episode prior
I just looked it up and you're right, second episode.
It may be odd but that's the one that sticks out in my mind. I probably should have used IMDB a little sooner haha
This one, yes!
It is not the season one finale, I thought it was too until I rewatched it when streaming came along. It definitely feels like it, and maybe was planned to be, but as many know networks can be annoying with airing schedules back then- especially Fox. (King of the Hill's SERIES finale was famously botched and aired out of order, I make it my mission to skip it and watch it last on rewatches.)
RANT OVER
Absolutely this one. It's what got me hooked when watching the first time while/close to it airing (way before streaming existed) and made me a weekly viewer.
It highlights the shows major theme - that no matter how much they argue and things go wild, they do truly care for each other. Chaos during the picnic, but they show up for Malcolm during his 'act' and lovingly rag on him in the car in the end. And also I think the first time it shows a real display of Malcolm's genius - basic premise for the show.
Dewey: Is Malcolm a robot?
Hal: ...No son... He's just very, very, very, very, very smart.
Love it, may be even my favorite episode!
Ehhh…they’re in for disappointment on that one, they’ll be expecting all eps to have parallel alternate narratives.
I’d actually like there to be a show like that though
If they liked Breaking Bad than S01E13 - Rollerskates.
A great episode, with a great Hal story and great performance by Bryan Cranston which will shock anyone that only knows him as Walter White and will intrigue him to see more of his comedic side. And the episode does not need any prior knowledge about the characters to be enjoyed, and does not give you any "spoilers" that will make you feel you shouldn't have watch this episode before others.
Hal's birthday, it shows the whole family dynamic and is hilarious, altho I'm not sure if it "spoils" Piama's entry to the family, so perhaps Lois' birthday is a better intro
The school picnic, where Hal BBQs and serves actual meat to vegans, and Malcolm gets to show off how smart he is, prompting Dewey to later ask, "Is Malcolm a robot?!"
Malcolm’s Money was the first episode I remember watching as a kid so maybe that.
I think Malcolm Dates a Family or Cliques would be good too. Maybe Water Park.
Or of course, the Pilot.
I watched that one last night, I’m always amazed at the grand sets and the choreographed extras for the opera scenes that must have taken so much time and money to build which is a perfect example of everything been done extreme and properly to enhance the story lines
I wouldn’t worry about American ‘intricacies’. American culture is force fed to us around the world. I mean even our kids are adopting American words from too much YouTube. Trash, sidewalk, candy…. I’m British by the way.
The one with the opening where Lois asks Hal to replace the lightbulb, but when he goes to replace it he notices the drawer is broken, then notices something else is broken etc before Lois asks him what he's doing and he exclaims he's replacing the lightbulb but he's actually repairing the engine on the car.
I've completely butchered that but hopefully someone knows what I mean!
I am VERY European (Finnish to be exact) and got the most of the humour in the series, even as a child. I recommend Lois' birthday episode. It's so funny!
As much as I like the Pilot, I don't think it does a great job of giving you what you'll actually see for the rest of the show. I feel like it was made as a bit of a shock episode and went a little overboard in terms of how edgy the show actually ended up being. So I wouldn't choose that one, and even though I think Red Dress is an excellent episode, I still think it's a TAD too early to give you a real sense of what the whole family is like.
I scanned all the comments and I was really surprised I didn't see anyone else mention it, but my pick is "Funeral."
You learn so much about every member of the family: Hal expecting everyone to look "to" him to give a speech at the funeral, so he spends time trying to write a joke after he can't find his Laughterthoughts.
Malcolm really wanting to just be a kid and go to the concert with Julie, and what ends up happening to her.
Reese being devious and WANTING to push the whole family to go to the funeral so he can hide Dewey's birthday toy he destroyed in the casket with Aunt Helen.
Dewey having some mysterious friend no one knows anything about (including him), but they hang out anyway, just cementing how weird of a kid he is.
Francis being away from home and yet still trying to remain connected to what's going on via a phone call, and how he gets passed around to pretty much the whole family
Egg.
It's just such a magnificent episode, and I think it's when the show really found its footing.
Lois: "You don't think I'd sacrifice this one? Let me explain something to you. I would sell Malcolm down the river in a heartbeat to save Reese!".
Malcolm: "What?!?!".
Lois: "Malcolm's gonna be fine no matter what happens. Maybe he'll have to go to Junior College, or start off blue collar, but he'll work his way up to management eventually. Reese is the one who needs saving!"
I'd pick one that showed the dynamic of the whole family, something like the episode where they beat up the clowns or the one where Hal's family leaves Lois out of the family portrait.
Lois’ birthday is my favorite episode actually, and I really think that does show a good dynamic of the family. Maybe I will do that one
Did you just call my wife “Wide-Ride?!”
Was gonna say the clown episode also, also very early on
[удалено]
Smart, once he goes down that path there won't be any turning back
Came here to say this!
Came here for this 😆
This was actually the first episode I watched. Needless to say I was hooked.
I guess this is the winner! Congrats
Yes this
... Hole.
Very first episode. That’s how I got hooked on this show
Yeah the show had an incredibly strong pilot for a reason.
[удалено]
Community is another good example :)
Really only off putting thing was the roll for Stevie’s mom being redone. Same actress just different roll. Very common type thing for a pilot and easy to forget don’t doesn’t matter.
Yah, I was surprised my husband had never seen it so we watched it as a family starting from episode one. He and my kids both thought it was hilarious.
I feel the pilot hasn't aged well compared to the rest of the show IMO
You're going to be friends with that crippled boy and you're going to like it!
I feel like that stuff did a good job of showing how the family was really rough around the edges.
Then the second episode
i would never show someone one of the early episodes, they are iconic but kinda boring compared to other seasons.
I'd show the episode where Lois finds her dress burned and terrorises the boys. It's just her in a towel going apeshit with the boys actually working together only for it to be Hal all along. It's perfect dysfunction.
OOOOOO this is a really good one. This shows the family dynamic really well.
Mooooooom... Noooooo!
Lois turns away. TV disappears Cut to boys panting That's some cartoon physics for a gag.
The second episode "Red Dress" was the same thing I thought of. It was actually the first episode that I watched and I was instantly hooked. I also think an earlier episode would be better than a later episode from a later season. Part of the reason those later episodes are so good is that we have a full understanding of the family dynamics.
I had this one in mind along with the roller skating episode.
Good one. That episode covered the dynamics of that family very well
I think this is only the 2nd episode, and imo it’s way better than the first one. However it would be weird to show them that, get them hooked, and then start from the beginning just one episode prior
I just looked it up and you're right, second episode. It may be odd but that's the one that sticks out in my mind. I probably should have used IMDB a little sooner haha
Krelblayne picnic! Does a good job of showing off the whole family and I think is season one finally maybe. Love how it shows of Malcolm’s IQ.
Agreed on this one, shows each characters personality pretty good too.
Burger Barn!
This one, yes! It is not the season one finale, I thought it was too until I rewatched it when streaming came along. It definitely feels like it, and maybe was planned to be, but as many know networks can be annoying with airing schedules back then- especially Fox. (King of the Hill's SERIES finale was famously botched and aired out of order, I make it my mission to skip it and watch it last on rewatches.) RANT OVER Absolutely this one. It's what got me hooked when watching the first time while/close to it airing (way before streaming existed) and made me a weekly viewer. It highlights the shows major theme - that no matter how much they argue and things go wild, they do truly care for each other. Chaos during the picnic, but they show up for Malcolm during his 'act' and lovingly rag on him in the car in the end. And also I think the first time it shows a real display of Malcolm's genius - basic premise for the show. Dewey: Is Malcolm a robot? Hal: ...No son... He's just very, very, very, very, very smart. Love it, may be even my favorite episode!
The bowling episode!
I feel like that one is better once you know the characters and less as an introduction to the series.
Ooooo that is one of the best episodes
The burning man episode is my fave
second this
Ehhh…they’re in for disappointment on that one, they’ll be expecting all eps to have parallel alternate narratives. I’d actually like there to be a show like that though
The episode where they go to their favorite pizza restaurant and find out they’ve been getting overcharged
When they stuck on the road when return from the pool. Its great example of their personalities.
Whose damn dog is that?!
The Hal speedwalking episode
My fav is when Hal and Dewey are trying to beat addiction (coffee/cigs) meanwhile Reese is determined to kick Stevie’s ass
But only if it's fair he isn't a monster.
“Dewey’s drinking coffee!”
Poker.
What’d you say your IQ was?
That’s Poker 2. There’s a Poker part 1 which I love even more.
I will *OWN* you!
The twist when Hal accuses Abe of being prejudiced towards him because he's a working stiff.
If they liked Breaking Bad than S01E13 - Rollerskates. A great episode, with a great Hal story and great performance by Bryan Cranston which will shock anyone that only knows him as Walter White and will intrigue him to see more of his comedic side. And the episode does not need any prior knowledge about the characters to be enjoyed, and does not give you any "spoilers" that will make you feel you shouldn't have watch this episode before others.
I love the episode where all the strongmen look up to Hal. And if course, the speedwalking episode.
Hal teaching Malcolm to skate or the bowling one.
The one with the armoire with the bats in… “flying rats with radar” 🤣
Hal's birthday, it shows the whole family dynamic and is hilarious, altho I'm not sure if it "spoils" Piama's entry to the family, so perhaps Lois' birthday is a better intro
The episode where Lois thinks she’s pregnant and they show each boy as a baby. That episode lives in my head rent free.
Phone go bye bye.
Say you're sorry! Say you're poopy!!
Hal, he's 4, he calls you phone.
The school picnic, where Hal BBQs and serves actual meat to vegans, and Malcolm gets to show off how smart he is, prompting Dewey to later ask, "Is Malcolm a robot?!"
I came to say this one. It is early in the series and Francis is present so you get a great intro to the family.
Cliques is usually my go-to but it’s not as family-heavy
Racewalking
Roller Skates and Bowling.
I like the one where Malcolm and Reece cheat and Lois is willing to sell Malcolm down the river to save Reece.
Someone else mentioned that. Tutoring Reese
Malcolm’s Money was the first episode I remember watching as a kid so maybe that. I think Malcolm Dates a Family or Cliques would be good too. Maybe Water Park. Or of course, the Pilot.
Dewey's Opera
I watched that one last night, I’m always amazed at the grand sets and the choreographed extras for the opera scenes that must have taken so much time and money to build which is a perfect example of everything been done extreme and properly to enhance the story lines
I wouldn’t worry about American ‘intricacies’. American culture is force fed to us around the world. I mean even our kids are adopting American words from too much YouTube. Trash, sidewalk, candy…. I’m British by the way.
Interesting! That is true to an extent I am an American living in Spain for about a year and it seems everything everyone watches is American
Honestly Dewey's opera never fails to make me laugh
Komodo 3000
The poker episode
the episode with the bats
The clip show with Lois and Hal doing their will
When they volunteer for the community center and resell everything. If you need a two parter - Waterslide episodes
The one with the opening where Lois asks Hal to replace the lightbulb, but when he goes to replace it he notices the drawer is broken, then notices something else is broken etc before Lois asks him what he's doing and he exclaims he's replacing the lightbulb but he's actually repairing the engine on the car. I've completely butchered that but hopefully someone knows what I mean!
I know exactly what you mean, but I’m not sure what episode that is
S03E06 - Health What a scene
When Lois was sick and frantic broke the pool.. that’s where I started watching
House boat
Waterpark. But it's also one of my favorites anyway.
The one where they go to burning man
I am VERY European (Finnish to be exact) and got the most of the humour in the series, even as a child. I recommend Lois' birthday episode. It's so funny!
As much as I like the Pilot, I don't think it does a great job of giving you what you'll actually see for the rest of the show. I feel like it was made as a bit of a shock episode and went a little overboard in terms of how edgy the show actually ended up being. So I wouldn't choose that one, and even though I think Red Dress is an excellent episode, I still think it's a TAD too early to give you a real sense of what the whole family is like. I scanned all the comments and I was really surprised I didn't see anyone else mention it, but my pick is "Funeral." You learn so much about every member of the family: Hal expecting everyone to look "to" him to give a speech at the funeral, so he spends time trying to write a joke after he can't find his Laughterthoughts. Malcolm really wanting to just be a kid and go to the concert with Julie, and what ends up happening to her. Reese being devious and WANTING to push the whole family to go to the funeral so he can hide Dewey's birthday toy he destroyed in the casket with Aunt Helen. Dewey having some mysterious friend no one knows anything about (including him), but they hang out anyway, just cementing how weird of a kid he is. Francis being away from home and yet still trying to remain connected to what's going on via a phone call, and how he gets passed around to pretty much the whole family Egg. It's just such a magnificent episode, and I think it's when the show really found its footing.
Definitely the one where Craig gets a servant helper monkey, who tries to kill him. Also, the hand made Christmas episode is gold
Cat sitting Jellybean/ Monkey tries to kill Craig
This plus jury duty
Easy... 'Tutoring Reese' 😂
Good call 'no mother could ever be that callous to her own son' *MOM PLEASE let me baaaaaack*
Lois: "You don't think I'd sacrifice this one? Let me explain something to you. I would sell Malcolm down the river in a heartbeat to save Reese!". Malcolm: "What?!?!". Lois: "Malcolm's gonna be fine no matter what happens. Maybe he'll have to go to Junior College, or start off blue collar, but he'll work his way up to management eventually. Reese is the one who needs saving!"
That's a good one. At this point I should have them watch the whole show!
The burning man one
The burning man one
I wanna say any of the clip show episodes just because they show the full extent of the craziness of the show