Ep 17. Dewey's Dog

Malcolm in the Middle season 3 episode 17, titled "Dewey's Dog," follows the misadventures of the middle child of the Wilkerson family, Dewey, as he tries to take care of a stray dog he found.

The episode opens with Dewey playing with a charming little dog he discovered wandering the streets. He immediately falls in love with it and adopts him, naming him "Fella." However, his newfound responsibility quickly becomes overwhelming when he realizes the magnitude of care required to keep a dog healthy and happy.

Dewey becomes obsessed with taking proper care of Fella, to the point where he neglects his other responsibilities, including his schoolwork. Despite his best efforts, Fella wreaks havoc in the household, causing chaos and destruction everywhere he goes.

Dewey's mother, Lois, is already busy with her own responsibilities, and Dewey's neglect of his schoolwork and Fella's chaotic behavior quickly becomes a source of frustration for her. She tries to convince Dewey to give Fella up, but Dewey has already become too attached to the dog and refuses to let go.

Meanwhile, Malcolm, the eldest son, tries to assist Dewey in caring for the dog, but it soon becomes apparent that neither of them knows how to properly care for a pet. They take all sorts of bizarre and misguided actions, including feeding Fella coffee and inflicting him with eye drops intended for humans, hoping to cure various ailments they imagine he has.

In addition to Fella's behavior, the situation becomes even more complicated when the owners of Fella, who had previously abandoned him, show up and demand him back. The boys must now decide whether to return Fella to his negligent owners, or keep the dog they have grown to love and care for.

Throughout the episode, Dewey's love and dedication to Fella are put to the test. Despite the chaos and destructive behavior, he stubbornly insists on keeping the dog, even though it is clearly not what is best for him or his family.

While the antics of Fella are certainly entertaining and provide plenty of laughs, the heart of the episode lies in Dewey's emotional attachment to the dog and his struggle to do what is best for Fella.

In the end, Dewey learns an important lesson about responsibility and selflessness, as he realizes that his love for Fella is not enough to override the reality of the situation. The episode is a classic example of the show's brilliant blend of comedy and heart, reminding viewers of the challenges and joys of family life.