The Ending Of Malcolm In The Middle Explained

In the final moments of “Malcolm in the Middle,” the show provides an emotional sendoff for every main character. While most get a fairly positive ending, Malcolm doesn’t. As we see in the final scene, he’s now a janitor at Harvard, struggling to work his way through school. 

This might seem disappointing, but it actually ties into everything Lois tells him about needing to endure hardship to become a better person — specifically, someone who will one day be fit for the presidency. His peers at Harvard will look down on him, due to his lower-middle class background, and he’ll probably have a tough go of things, socially speaking. But, Lois argues, it’s through this heartbreak that Malcolm will mature and come to understand that intense intelligence isn’t actually everything.

Initially dejected, Malcolm comes to accept this painful journey. He embarks on his Harvard career with the knowledge that the next few years will likely be incredibly difficult. It’s a bittersweet ending for Malcolm, but one that’s truly worthwhile.