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The Krelboynes decide to build a killer robot to enter in a competition. The other Krelboynes' parents won't let them do anything so dangerous and irresponsible. They need a place "with no caring or supervision," so they go to Malcolm's (Frankie Muniz). Lois (Jane Kaczmarek) leaves town for the weekend to visit Francis (Christopher Kennedy Masterson), who is recovering from an emergency appendectomy. Francis warns all his classmates about what a monster his mother is, and plans to use his brush with death to lay a massive guilt trip on Lois for sending him to military school. Lois foils his plan, winning over his classmates by standing up to Spangler (Daniel Von Bargen) and generally treating Francis with love and understanding. "That's not my mother!" Francis tries to explain, "It's an act -- some kind of freaky mind game she's playing with me." Meanwhile, back at home, Hal (Bryan Cranston) can't handle Lois' absence, and he lets things completely fall apart. Not only does he encourage the Krelboynes to build their dangerous robot, he becomes an active participant, and eventually takes over the project, adding on a laser-guided bee cannon. Hal is so out of control that Malcolm is forced to turn to Craig (David Anthony Higgins) for help.