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The Best Episodes of Malcolm in the Middle Season 4

Every episode of Malcolm in the Middle Season 4 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Malcolm in the Middle Season 4!

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A gifted young teen tries to survive life with his dimwitted, dysfunctional family.

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  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Malcolm in the Middle Season 4 Episode 1 - Zoo
    7.4/10(1242 votes)

    #1 - Zoo

    S4:E1

    Malcolm, whose frenetic home life is a kind of zoo, begins the fourth season by accompanying his family to the real thing. A visit to the zoo offers close encounters with creatures great and small. But Hal wishes he could have passed on an encounter with Lois's former beau, who lectures on rain-forest animals. Elsewhere, Reese butts heads with a goat; and Malcolm and Dewey take a tumble into a tiger den. Another storyline checks in on ne'er-do-well Francis, now the unlikely foreman of a dude ranch owned by a cheery German businessman.

    Director:Todd Holland
    Writers:Michael Glouberman, Andrew Orenstein

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  2. Malcolm in the Middle Season 4 Episode 2 - Humilithon
    7.3/10(1220 votes)

    #2 - Humilithon

    S4:E2

    High school's first day vexes Malcolm, who acquires an unfortunate nickname; and Hal, a parental "volunteer" running afoul of authority.

    Director:Jeff Melman
    Writer:Michael Borkow

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  3. Malcolm in the Middle Season 4 Episode 3 - Family Reunion
    8.4/10(1730 votes)

    #3 - Family Reunion

    S4:E3

    Christopher Lloyd adds to his gallery of eccentric characters, playing Hal's quirky, cranky and very wealthy father, Walter, in this rollicking episode. The occasion is a birthday celebration for the old man, but the snooty female in-laws seem more interested in offending Lois. Their shabby behavior initially goes unnoticed by Hal, who's desperately trying to bond with his self-centered dad; and by Dewey and Reese, who seek some of Grampa's dough by currying favor with him. But when Lois is reduced to tears after being excluded from a group photo, the family rallies to her side with an all-out counterattack that turns the party into pandemonium.

    Director:Ken Kwapis
    Writer:Alex Reid

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  4. Malcolm in the Middle Season 4 Episode 4 - Stupid Girl
    7.1/10(1162 votes)

    #4 - Stupid Girl

    S4:E4

    Acting dumb like Reese eases Malcolm's stress and lands him a date with the new light of his life, an attractive girl who's really a dim bulb.

    Director:Todd Holland
    Writer:Dan Kopelman

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  5. Malcolm in the Middle Season 4 Episode 5 - Forwards Backwards
    7.3/10(1181 votes)

    #5 - Forwards Backwards

    S4:E5

    Brotherly love is lost on Malcolm and Reese, now out to sabotage his sibling's birthday in devilish strikes met with crafty counterattacks.

    Director:Levie Isaacks
    Writer:Maggie Bandur

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  6. Malcolm in the Middle Season 4 Episode 6 - Forbidden Girlfriend
    7.8/10(1179 votes)

    #6 - Forbidden Girlfriend

    S4:E6

    Malcolm starts to date Nikki. Meanwhile, Hal and Lois must take abstinence pills in an attempt to be better parents. At the ranch, Otto is furious with the other ranchers who keep destroying the fence that Francis is building to keep the cattle inside.

    Director:Jamie Babbit
    Writer:Matthew Carlson

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  7. Malcolm in the Middle Season 4 Episode 7 - Malcolm Holds His Tongue
    7.7/10(1262 votes)

    #7 - Malcolm Holds His Tongue

    S4:E7

    After joining the basketball team at school, Malcolm soon finds himself under the coach's skin due to his constant complaining, which eventually gets him kicked off the team. Determined to put an end to his horrible habit of talking before he thinks, Malcolm starts "holding his tongue" which solves all the problems with his coach, girlfriend, and parents, but it ends up causing more stress than before. Meanwhile, Hal takes up speed walking and is desperate to be the best while Reese gets Craig to take him and Allison to a concert and almost ruins his date.

    Director:Jeff Melman
    Writers:Neil Thompson, Gary Murphy

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  8. Malcolm in the Middle Season 4 Episode 8 - Boys at Ranch
    7.5/10(1306 votes)

    #8 - Boys at Ranch

    S4:E8

    On a visit to Francis' dude ranch Hal can't help being disappointed in Francis' success, Reese and Malcolm fear Francis has turned into an overly responsible grownup, and Gretchen punishes Dewey for breaking a valuable doll.

    Director:David D'Ovidio
    Writers:Neil Thompson, Gary Murphy

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  9. Malcolm in the Middle Season 4 Episode 9 - Grandma Sues
    7.5/10(1191 votes)

    #9 - Grandma Sues

    S4:E9

    Grandma Ida is even nastier than usual (if that's possible) because of a tumble down the front steps that resulted in a broken collarbone, prompting her to sue her daughter and son-in-law for pain and suffering. And there's more momentous news on the home front: Lois is pregnant.

    Director:Jimmy Simons
    Writers:Michael Glouberman, Andrew Orenstein

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  10. Malcolm in the Middle Season 4 Episode 10 - If Boys Were Girls
    8.4/10(1595 votes)

    #10 - If Boys Were Girls

    S4:E10

    After being rattled by a battle among the boys, a pregnant Lois ponders the consequences of raising another brawling kid. So she fantasizes that her unruly sons have morphed into well-behaved young daughters. Malcolm becomes Mallory, Reese is transformed into Renee and Dewey turns into Daisy.

    Director:Ken Kwapis
    Writer:Unknown

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  11. Malcolm in the Middle Season 4 Episode 11 - Long Drive
    7.4/10(1114 votes)

    #11 - Long Drive

    S4:E11

    A sex lecture from Lois rattles Malcolm; a ranch calamity unnerves Francis; disharmony among Hal's music group is a prelude to their concert. Also, a day in jail tests a defiant Reese, who faces a "Scared Straight" encounter.

    Director:Levie Isaacks
    Writer:Michael Borkow

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  12. Malcolm in the Middle Season 4 Episode 12 - Kicked Out
    7.2/10(1124 votes)

    #12 - Kicked Out

    S4:E12

    After Lois is out of town, Malcolm and Hal got into a fight leading Malcolm to get expelled from his house. Malcolm lives with his girlfriend in her attic, as Hal put signs for "Missing Malcolm."

    Director:Jeff Melman
    Writer:Alex Reid

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  13. Malcolm in the Middle Season 4 Episode 13 - Stereo Store
    7.5/10(1177 votes)

    #13 - Stereo Store

    S4:E13

    Jessica, a sly, 16-year-old sitter outfoxes the boys while Lois is away and Hal's busy with a second job as a whiz of a salesman.

    Director:Bryan Cranston
    Writer:Matthew Carlson

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  14. Malcolm in the Middle Season 4 Episode 14 - Hal's Friend
    7.1/10(1099 votes)

    #14 - Hal's Friend

    S4:E14

    Malcolm tries to emancipate Dabney from his overbearing mother while Hal invites his ne'er-do-well old buddy to the house. At the ranch, Francis is forced to share a room with Otto.

    Director:Jeff Melman
    Writer:Dan Kopelman

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  15. Malcolm in the Middle Season 4 Episode 15 - Garage Sale
    7.1/10(1128 votes)

    #15 - Garage Sale

    S4:E15

    A garage sale that's entrusted to Reese (yikes!) yields treasures near and dear, like Hal's old radio transmitter, which he makes operational. And a PC dating back to 1976 that Malcolm plans to sell to Craig for $1300.

    Director:Levie Isaacks
    Writer:Maggie Bandur

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  16. Malcolm in the Middle Season 4 Episode 16 - Academic Octathalon
    6.9/10(1083 votes)

    #16 - Academic Octathalon

    S4:E16

    An academic competition faces the Krelboynes in an event Malcolm derides. Especially when he learns his teacher has a cheating plan. Also: a commitment to a formal dance ruffles Reese, who's now trying to ditch his date.

    Director:Todd Holland
    Writer:Rob Hanning

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  17. Malcolm in the Middle Season 4 Episode 17 - Clip Show 2
    5.8/10(1086 votes)

    #17 - Clip Show 2

    S4:E17

    Hal and Lois are penning their will, and think back to all the trouble their sons put them through. It is there that Lois' problems with Francis are finally revealed and how her inability to admit when she is wrong lead to a lot of the problems the family has been dealing with.

    Director:Levie Isaacks
    Writers:Dan Kopelman, Maggie Bandur

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  18. Malcolm in the Middle Season 4 Episode 18 - Reese's Party
    7.2/10(1099 votes)

    #18 - Reese's Party

    S4:E18

    When Hal and Lois go out of town for a "last chance" getaway before the baby comes, Reese has a big bash that gets out of hand. College-age thugs show up, cancel the party and set up a drug-making operation in the garage. All Reese and Malcolm can do is knuckle under. The good news is, Dewey's not around. The bad news is, his baby sitter is Lois's annoying co-worker Craig. Meanwhile, Hal and his very pregnant wife are off at a romantic retreat---feuding.

    Director:Levie Isaacks
    Writer:Andy Bobrow

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  19. Malcolm in the Middle Season 4 Episode 19 - Future Malcolm
    7.4/10(1105 votes)

    #19 - Future Malcolm

    S4:E19

    Leonard, a cynical, genius chess player with no friends or job, makes Malcolm think he could grow into a similar adulthood. Determined to prevent this undesirable fate, Malcolm tries to help Leonard change his life by lining him up for a job interview with the obnoxious Craig. Meanwhile, Francis finds employ as a nude model and begins to delight in the exposure.

    Director:Ken Kwapis
    Writer:Unknown

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  20. Malcolm in the Middle Season 4 Episode 20 - Baby (1)
    7.5/10(1137 votes)

    #20 - Baby (1)

    S4:E20

    Lois goes into labor while Hal and the boys are at a bridal exposition. Ida moves in after her apartment burns down and she refuses to stay with Susan.Dewey reveals the date his parents chose for the baby's planned delivery is his birthday in an announcement at the exposition to humiliate Hal.

    Director:Jimmy Simons
    Writer:Rob Hanning

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  21. Malcolm in the Middle Season 4 Episode 21 - Baby (2)
    8.2/10(1132 votes)

    #21 - Baby (2)

    S4:E21

    While Lois is in labor, the house is hectic, and Hal, desperate to get home, has crashed the car on the way out of the expo.

    Director:Jamie Babbit
    Writer:Michael Borkow

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  22. Malcolm in the Middle Season 4 Episode 22 - Day Care
    7.2/10(1083 votes)

    #22 - Day Care

    S4:E22

    With the arrival of their fifth child, Lois and Hal search for a "creative" daycare solution.

    Director:Steve Love
    Writers:Neil Thompson, Gary Murphy

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Season 4 Ratings Summary

"Zoo" is the best rated episode of "Malcolm in the Middle" season 4. It scored 7.4/10 based on 1242 votes. Directed by Todd Holland and written by Michael Glouberman, Andrew Orenstein, it aired on 11/3/2002. This episode is rated 0.1 points higher than the second-best, "Humilithon".