IDA’S DANCE Air Date 4/17/05
Chapter 619


Malcolm gets his first ‘F’ ever, and it’s in the easiest class in school: music appreciation. With nowhere else to turn, he asks Dewey for help. Dewey smugly tries to get Malcolm to understand music, but to no avail. In a fit of frustration Malcolm turns Dewey’s headphones all the way up and temporarily deafens him. To retaliate, Dewey does the same with an elaborate system of speakers, bullhorns, and an air horn. After they both regain their hearing, Malcolm is happy to hear again, and he pops in a CD of sad orchestral music. His smile gradually fades to sadness.

Lois visits Ida, who has taken up with a group of women at her community center that are exactly like her. While she is there, Lois takes part in the Saint Grotus’ Day festival by baking a tremendous and traditional St. Grotus’ Day tart. The Ida-like ladies put Lois through hell until she finally snaps and destroys all of the giant traditional tarts by performing the traditional St. Grotus’ Day dance on them. When Ida confronts Lois about destroying the tarts, Lois lets it slip that she feels like Ida doesn’t need her anymore. Yet Lois reconsiders and shows up in full St. Grotus’ day garb. She and Ida do the traditional dance together.

In Lois’ absence, Hal and Reese decide to watch horror movies every night. Reese is in heaven but Hal is terrified of the flicks. Hal goes to great lengths to avoid watching the scary movies. He finally confesses to Reese that he loves spending time with him, but that he hates the horror movies. Reese says that he did the same thing to Hal with baseball. Years ago, he pretended to like baseball just so he wouldn’t hurt Hal’s feelings.