Reese's first driving lesson turns into a televised police chase, and Francis attempts to barter an endless chain of favours to pay off a debt.
As Malcolm and his brothers cheekily mine personal profit from church charity work, Francis gets a taste of life in the unlikely setting of an Alaskan logging camp.
Hal is scared when he finds a lump, and feels a new-found love for his family. As Dewey loses the class hamster, Lavernia challenges Francis to a fight. Will he lose to a girl?
Lois gets a trashy makeover that gets her new-found attention from men, especially Hal. Meanwhile, Hal plays dirty in a game of basketball with the boys and Francis becomes a master rat catcher.
Malcolm and the other Krelboynes hang out with the Jocks, Goths, Posers and other cliques when they are forced to attend regular classes, while Hal and Reese race to see who will be the first to knock down Dewey's domino set-up.