The above Malcolm in the Middle scene always stood out to me.
I think it speaks to the peculiar nature of families and tribes.
If you’ve ever watched the show, you’ll know that the boys are at constant war with their parents.
Malcolm, Reese, Dewey and Francis are some of the most rebellious boys you will ever encounter and to say they frequently butt heads with their mother is an understatement.
Then someone makes their mother cry and they don’t laugh or kick her while she’s down.
They go to war for her.
To exact revenge on her behalf.
I thought it summed up the complex nature of families very well.
If you’re in the tribe, that behaviour is acceptable, but if someone outside out the tribe hurts one of our own, then we unite.
Thomas Duggan 