Malcolm requires medical treatment after trying to keep his opinions to himself. Meanwhile, Reese goes on a date with his girlfriend and Craig.
Malcolm tries to dumb down to attract a cute, non-intellectual girl while Hal rents a steamroller and becomes addicted to crushing things.
Malcolm is infuriated by the eagerness of his academic octathlon team-mates, while Reese goes to desperate lengths to avoid going to a dance and Hal tries to get Dewey to admit he loves him.
While Hal spends a wild night with an old school buddy, Malcolm tries to liberate Dabney from his mother's control and Francis spends a night in the company of Otto.
Hal takes a second job at a stereo store, but has a hard time fitting in with the younger employees. Meanwhile, the boys meet their match in the astute new babysitter.
