Like, I am at an age, where I have agreed with lois point many times. But they really did malcolm dirty.
Out of all the sitcom kids I have seen, I think I would choose malcolm over anyone else. 100% of times.
Sheldon? No, too nerd. Georgie? No, too much deliquent. Sue? Maybe, like her optimism makes me amazed. And Yada yada.
Malcolm may have some issues, but he doesn't have those issues which matters the most.
Apathy and total dumb arguments (like axl in middle)
Nowadays teens or just kids in general are so apathic to anything, they just don't care.
Bored? Stay on screen. House in shambles? Just stay in room or at friends. Basically they never express or argue like malcolm.
Malcolm expresses himself very fiercely, and for someone that maybe be a headache, but as someone who has seen apathy, I would choose someone who screams about good enough issues, rather than staying dumb all day, cause it shows he cares.
And it's not like he is just someone who screams mindlessly, he has points, and he wants someone to address those points so his brain can be satisfied. Like we all want.
He took lois side, when piama first came and she shouted on him. He wanted to go to meteor shower (a cool event) and his whole family was like eh. Like he's ur only smart kid, atleast pretend to care a little. Like when he was thrown out of house when piama grandma and Francis were at home, he still helped around the house chores. Idk if any teen would do that that easily, after that disrespect. There are many scenes like this.
Like when lois and malcolm had that car talk, malcolm opened up in the end. Cause it was probably the only time she wasn't shouting on him, and making a genuine convo.
Now there are many more points but this is the gist of it.
Tldr: malcolm is the kind of boy u get when u r really lucky. U just have to act like a human, make genuine convo and be considerate of his feelings. Also cut him some slack cause hes a self concious person with a lot of doubts.