Comedy
Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair
‘Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair’ modernizes and reboots yet another show—including some of the concerning content therewithin.
Honey, I shrunk…well…you!”
When Les Littlejohn brings his scientific research home with him, his miniaturization machine shrinks his wife, Lindy, to a mere 6 inches. And somehow, that’s their smallest marital issue.
You see, long before this little incident, Les and Lindy were at odds.
Lindy’s career dreams came true over a decade ago when she published a bestselling novel, and Les secretly felt inferior ever since. But Les thinks he could change that.
For the past few years, Les has devoted all his time to developing a machine that could shrink and re-enlarge objects. The applications of his invention could change the world—and give him a much-needed ego boost. And while he’s put his relationship with Lindy on the backburner for years, Les determines that once his research wins him a Nobel Prize, he’ll reinvest in his marriage.
But the longer Les’ devotion to research drags on, the smaller Lindy feels. And with no new novel releases to improve her career, Lindy feels miniscule. She knows that when it comes to Les’ priorities, it’s his “life work” first, himself second, their daughter (Lulu) third, and Lindy last. That’s why she’s been in a so-called “emotional affair” with Les’ coworker Richard. When Richard dotes on her, Lindy feels like she matters. And when she makes underhanded jabs at Les’ career, Lindy feels just a little bit bigger.
The Littlejohns need a massive change, and Les thinks he can provide just that.
Rich investor Hilton Smith is interested in funding Les’ research, and Les promises Lindy that he’ll now re-invest in their relationship, too. They’ll start fresh by moving to a new home and renewing their vows.
Unfortunately, Les shrinks Lindy before any of that can happen.
With their marital tension still completely unresolved, Les and Lindy navigate their bizarre new reality.
Les scrambles to complete the invention that would return Lindy back to her original size—though he mostly wants to complete the invention to fulfill his career goals. Meanwhile, Lindy spirals because a short story that she plagiarized was mistakenly published in The New Yorker. While she’s terrified what a plagiarism scandal could do to her reputation, Lindy secretly loves the positive public attention the plagiarized piece wins her.
If they can’t figure out how to work together, problems might just be too big for Les and Lindy Littlejohn.
Based on a short story of the same name, Peacock’s The Miniature Wife gives viewers a tongue-in-cheek metaphor for what being unappreciated in a marriage feels like.
More concerned with their careers than with each other, both Les and Lindy condescend to one another as they compete for success. The show explores how the couple slowly learns to view each other as partners rather than opponents.
Clearly, viewers of The Miniature Wife will find plenty of domestic dysfunction, and there are also a few scenes in which characters drink alcohol—sometimes to excess. Additionally, characters regularly use harsh profanity including the “f-word,” the “s-word” and misuses of God’s name.
The couple do share some sweet moments in the show, but Les and Linday are definitely not ideal marital mentors. And with The Miniature Wife’s use of harsh profanity, viewers will certainly want to be at least a little wary if they choose to watch.
(Editor’s Note: Plugged In is rarely able to watch every episode of a given series for review. As such, there’s always a chance that you might see a problem that we didn’t. If you notice content that you feel should be included in our review, send us an email at letters@pluggedin.com, or contact us via Facebook or Instagram, and be sure to let us know the episode number, title and season so that we can check it out. )
Les and Lindy are at the brink of resolving some long-festering issues. Les promises a fresh start. Lindy breaks off her affair. But then Les shrinks Lindy to be 6 inches tall.
The dysfunction in Les and Lindy’s marriage is clear. The couple implies that they haven’t slept in the same bed for a long time. Les has his personal assistant confront Lindy about her behavior at a party, rather than talking to her himself. In an argument, both Les and Lindy lob personal attacks and yell at each other. Though she says the relationship is only emotional, Lindy cheats on Les with one of his coworkers, Richard. Richard says he loves Lindy. Later, Lindy plans to leave Les and tells her husband she’s leaving him.
There are over 20 uses of the f-word, seven uses of the s-word, one use of “b–ch,” one use of “g–d–n,” one use of “a–.” We also hear misuses of God’s and Jesus’ name. A couple of characters make rude gestures.
A couple drinks wine together at dinner. Adults drink wine at a formal party. After drinking a little too much, Lindy gossips about her husband.
In the opening shot, the camera pans past drips of blood to a dead bird that’s covered in wounds and blood. Someone falls from a tall height. A character runs into something and passes out.
In rage, a character swipes belongings off a table. A woman wears a cleavage-revealing dress. A character’s arrogance is played for laughs.
After accidentally plagiarizing a short story written by one of her students, Lindy attempts to rectify her mistake by manipulating the student. Hilton—Les’ potential investor—applauds him for prioritizing work over his family.
‘Malcolm in the Middle: Life’s Still Unfair’ modernizes and reboots yet another show—including some of the concerning content therewithin.
Fox’s ‘The Faithful’ explores stories from the Bible through the eyes of biblical matriarchs, highlighting these women’s incredible faith.
‘Agent From Above’ takes a fantastical spin on Chinese folklore, and in the process, it includes dicey themes such as reincarnation and demonic possession.
