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Malcolm in the Middle... I mean, it was a product of it’s time. You can come to your own conclusions about how you feel about that, for better and for worse, but if there’s one aspect about the show that I think deserves at least some credit, is that it absolutely never says that everybody but you sucks.

It’s what Malcolm thinks, sure, but the resolutions to episodes frequently revolved around him realizing that other people had things to offer that he had never considered. There’s a Roller Hockey episode, for example, where he sucks at it and resents his Dad for coaching him in “Roller Disco Style”, but then he finally starts playing well once he skates the way Hal was teaching him.

Now, my absolute favourite moment in the show comes from Season 6, and it's perhaps one of my favourite TV moments of all time, which is where Lois finally apologizes to Francis.

He realizes a sincere apology... is worth next to nothing because it doesn't change anything but take away his fantasy of cathartic vindication.

There isn't anything you can take away from this, the best case scenario is you realize your parents weren't evil, just flawed people who make mistakes and didn't know what they were doing. The worst case is they actually were evil, but you'll simply be reminded of the fact.

When I was a kid that’s all I ever wanted to hear from ether of my parents, but would that actually make you feel any better or not? It’s an uncomfortable question. As an adult, you are responsible for how you respond and react to your childhood trauma, ultimately you are responsible for healing yourself.

That is, even if you can get an apology in the first place. It can be next to impossible to talk though your childhood trauma after a certain point because chances are, your parents will just straight up forget. Whoops! I mean, most people can barely even remember what it is they ate for lunch last week.

Now, the reason why Francis is still upset in this case is because despite his Mom apologizing, it doesn't fix his life. He still has to deal with the consequences of his own making, and forgiveness is something that happens independent of someone apologizing.

I still like that when she said "I love you", he immediately says "I love you too" without even questioning her about it or having to think about his response. Kids do love their parents unconditionally in real life, no matter what, and they’re both incredibly confused about what to do, but they still say “I love you” to each other.

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Anyways, my parents turned 60 this week.