Ep 11. Ida's Boyfriend

As Malcolm in the Middle season 5 episode 11 titled "Ida's Boyfriend" kicks off, Hal is preparing for his weekly poker game with his old college buddies. Lois, on the other hand, is worried about her mother Ida being alone and decides to play matchmaker by setting her up with a new love interest. Meanwhile, Malcolm is struggling with a school project and seeks advice from his grandfather Victor, played by guest star Robert Loggia.

Ida, played by Cloris Leachman, is initially hesitant about going out on a date, but Lois manages to persuade her to give it a chance. During her date with Tom, played by guest star Fred Willard, Ida discovers that he has a bit of a wild side and is surprised to find herself enjoying his company. However, when Lois and Hal find out about Ida's new beau, they are less than impressed and worry that she is getting involved with the wrong kind of guy.

As Hal's poker game gets underway, he discovers that one of his friends is cheating and tries to confront him about it. Meanwhile, Victor helps Malcolm with his school project by telling him a story from his past about a difficult decision he had to make. Malcolm is moved by his grandfather's story and uses it as inspiration for his own project.

Back at the house, Ida's relationship with Tom is getting serious and they decide to move in together. Lois and Hal are terrified that Ida is making a mistake and try to convince her to slow things down. However, Ida is adamant that Tom is the man for her and refuses to listen to their concerns.

As the episode draws to a close, Ida's relationship with Tom starts to crumble and she begins to realize that she may have rushed into things too quickly. Meanwhile, Hal's poker game comes to a dramatic conclusion as he confronts his cheating friend and takes him down once and for all. The episode ends with Malcolm completing his school project and feeling grateful for the advice and guidance he received from his grandfather.

Overall, "Ida's Boyfriend" is an entertaining and heartwarming episode of Malcolm in the Middle that explores themes of love, family, and the importance of taking your time in relationships. With a great cast of guest stars and the usual excellent performances from the regular cast, this episode is sure to delight fans of the show.