Ep 21. Baby (2)

Malcolm in the Middle is a comedy TV series about a dysfunctional family that has to cope with everyday problems and hilarious situations. The fourth season episode 21, "Baby (2)", is a continuation of the previous episode where the Wilkerson family takes care of a baby after their youngest sibling, Jamie, was born.

As the episode begins, the Wilkersons continue their struggle to keep up with the baby's needs. Lois and Hal are still sleep-deprived and exhausted while the older siblings, Francis, Reese, Malcolm, and Dewey, are all trying to avoid any baby duties. Stubborn and uncooperative, Jamie is becoming a challenge for everyone in the family.

Lois, who is always in control, tries to handle the situation by herself but soon realizes that she needs Hal's help. Hal, who has been feeling left out, is happy to finally be involved with Jamie's care. This is especially true when he realizes that her bottle feeds cause him to get high due to some antidepressant drugs he has been taking.

Meanwhile, Francis gets a temporary job as a substitute teacher at Jamie's daycare center. His aim is to avoid home and shift the responsibility of the baby to someone else. Reese, on the other hand, tries to trick his plan as a way to bond with Jamie. Malcolm also finds a way to deflect the responsibility of relating to Jamie by making the baby love him instead of his parents.

Throughout the episode, it becomes clear that Jamie is unhappy, crying almost all the time, and the Wilkerson family eventually realizes that they have failed to take care of her properly. They decide that they must hire a professional nanny to take care of Jamie, but the problem remains to find the right one.

At the daycare center, Francis discovers a woman named Gretchen who is a natural with children. Despite her appearance (tattoos, piercings), Francis recommends her to the family. Gretchen is offered the job, and the Wilkersons start to feel relieved, but soon they realize that Gretchen is not exactly what she seems.

In the end, the Wilkersons face the truth and realize that they have to take responsibility for their own child. They all come together and work out a plan to keep Jamie happy. In the process, they rediscover their own abilities as parents and bond with the newest member of their family.

Overall, the episode "Baby (2)" is full of hilarious and poignant moments that capture the essence of the show. It is a perfect continuation of the previous episode and continues to showcase the talent of the actors and the witty writing. The show, in general, is a perfect combination of sarcasm, humor, and heartwarming moments, and this episode is no exception.