"BUSEYS RUN AWAY" Original Air Date 11/14/04
Chapter 601

The Buseys beg Dewey not to leave the Special Needs class; he has fought for their rights. Dewey says his mom is making him leave. Later, the Buseys disappear.

Dewey discovers them living in some trees; they threaten him, saying not to tell anyone. The Buseys are soon discovered, but Dewey is touched when they don’t rat him out. When Dewey hears the Buseys will be losing some other privilege, he fakes an emotional breakdown, which secures his return to the Special Needs class.

Hal feels useless for being out of work. He takes Jamie to the park where he befriends a group of brainless bodybuilders. He soon becomes their leader, helping them balance their checkbooks, mail letters, and solve other simple problems. When Hal hears about the missing Buseys, he is determined to use his “army of benevolent strongmen” to find them. Hal gets a new job, but is unhappy, realizing he’ll have to cut ties with the bodybuilders. He opts to bring them with him on his first day.

Malcolm and Reese try to enlist Dewey in some mischief, but he isn't interested. Afterwards, Lois punishes Malcolm and Reese, but is especially nice to Dewey. Malcolm and Reese are suspicious of Dewey who explains the reason Lois hasn’t punished him is because he hasn’t done anything wrong. D: “It’s not her, it’s us.” Malcolm and Reese don't buy it, concluding Dewey has turned on them and is feeding Lois information. They try to feed him false information, to set him up. However, they mistakenly feed Lois the false information, and she punishes them. Upon seeing Dewey’s breakdown, Malcolm and Reese are convinced things have returned to normal.