Ep 1. Zoo

Malcolm in the Middle season 4 episode 1 revolves around the chaotic, yet lovable Wilkerson family as they take a trip to the zoo. The episode titled "Zoo" explores the Wilkerson's family dynamics as they navigate through the challenges of spending a day at the zoo.

The episode begins with Lois, the matriarch of the family, waking up early and preparing the family for their trip to the zoo. She assigns each of her five boys various tasks to complete before they leave the house, but as usual, nothing goes as planned. Reese, the second-oldest sibling, accidentally breaks a vase while trying to water the plants, and Malcolm, the middle child, forgets to pack his glasses. Meanwhile, Hal, the father, struggles to keep up with Lois's energy and enthusiasm for the trip.

On the drive to the zoo, the Wilkerson family encounters one obstacle after the other. They get lost, the car breaks down, and they have to walk the rest of the way to the zoo. Once they arrive, the family splits up, each member going in different directions to see various exhibits.

Reese, who is not a fan of animals, decides to skip the exhibits and tries to sneak into the employee-only areas of the zoo. Meanwhile, Malcolm spends most of the day trying to find his glasses, which he discovers he accidentally left in the car. He also struggles to avoid an overzealous employee who keeps trying to take his picture for the zoo's promotional materials.

On the other hand, Dewey, the youngest child, forms a bond with a group of monkeys and spends most of the day playing with them. Francis, the eldest Wilkerson sibling, also makes an appearance in this episode, as he is working at the zoo as a janitor - a job he despises.

Throughout the episode, there are several funny moments and mishaps. Hal gets into a heated argument with a stranger over a parking spot, Lois loses her temper trying to keep the family together, and Reese almost gets arrested for breaking into a restricted area.

In the end, the Wilkerson family is exhausted and ready to leave the zoo, but not before they encounter one final obstacle. The car will not start, and they have to enlist the help of a group of strangers to push start the vehicle.

Overall, the episode "Zoo" captures the essence of Malcolm in the Middle's humor and chaos. The Wilkerson family's trip to the zoo brings out their quirks and flaws while also showcasing their love for one another. It's a fun and entertaining episode that fans of the show will enjoy.