Lois finally gets Dewey out of the Buseys special needs class. In response to losing their new 'leader' they run away to be with him. Hal still has no job and picks up a bunch of dumb, but nice, body builders for his latest manic craze.

Neighbor Jessica stays at the house, and pulls a prank on Malcolm and Reese convincing each of them that the other is gay; Meanwhile, Hal battles a neighbor in Christmas decorating.

Kitty returns to the her family after leaving them. However, Lois refuses to accept her back in the neighborhood and refuses to talk to her.

Strapped for cash for the holidays, Hal and Lois decide that all Christmas gifts this year should be handmade. But when Hal sees the thoughtful, quality gifts the boys made, he feels bad about his shoddy attempt and panics.

Trying to win a battle of wills with young Jamie, Lois brings Francis home to help her remember how she conquered him when he was a baby; and Malcolm, Reese, and Dewey struggle to dream up a fun use for an old diving board.

Malcolm uses his illegal gambling profits to buy a junk car, which quickly takes over his life; Hal discovers a talent for hair styling; and Lois discovers Craig is having an affair with the boss' wife.

Dewey invites a destructive friend for an overnight visit; Lois is on the hunt for a decade old blender warranty.

Francis shows up for his 21st birthday anticipating Hal will come through on a promise to go on a motorcycle road trip; meanwhile, the boys are trapped in the house while a bully waits outside.

It's Spring break, and Malcolm is stuck working the graveyard shift with his mom, and Reese inherits a box of caterpillars from a shady pest controller. Malcolm investigates something weird at work.

Ida forces Lois to bake a special tart for an old-world saint's holiday; Malcolm meets his match with music appreciation; and Hal tries to bond with Reese by watching gory horror movies with him.

The neighborhood dog pack adopts Reese as their new best friend, and Dewey gets caught after spending time with a new, better mom. Hal becomes the company's motivational guru.

The boys, in an effort to prank their mother, enroll Lois in the Tri-County Mom Pageant, with Hal as her coach.