Monsters (TV Series) Malcolm (1990) User Reviews

Here's what that monster really was

[execute_2050 · 6/10 · 29 April 2021]

This episode is similar in theme and body horror to the now infamous Twin Peaks episode from season 3 that got everyone talking back in 2017. The one where the girl ate an alien bug. Anyway, if you're wondering, the creature was an alien as the captions will prove, but it represented something thats likely in everyone already: passion. He repressed it since youth and it grew inside him as a hideous thing. When he used it in old age at the beginning of the episode, he woke it up, and it wanted to be used so badly it even expressed itself while he slept. He refused to nurture it tho and now it's causing him pain, just as his wife has felt pain mentally for years having not felt passion and love from her husband for so long. This creature, this desire, is killed, and so I guess he dies with it, as without passion we are dead inside? This is where it lost me hence only 6 stars but I do feel I "understood" the intent here.

One of the Worst

[joemoney · 2/10 · 28 December 2020]

I wanted to like it, especially having been directed by Tom Noonan. I can't think of a redeeming thing to say about it. The worm creature is okay. That's what earned it 2 stars.

A strange, but effective episode

[Woodyanders · 8/10 · 9 January 2020]

The dejected Lorna (a nicely affecting portrayal by Carole Shelley) tries to get her equally miserable former jazz clarinet player husband Malcolm (a fine performance from always reliable character actor Ed Lauter) to start playing again. However, when Malcolm does attempt to play clarinet again it causes him severe stomach pains that in turn lead to the discovery of an odd growth residing in his abdomen.

Writer/director Tom Noonan not only relates the poignant and absorbing offbeat story at a steady pace, but also offers an unusual, but still moving and thoughtful exploration of both a marriage in which the passion has run dry and the stultifying soul-crushing inertia that happens to people who have let go of their dreams and settled for something less instead. Farley Granger lends sturdy support as a laid-back doctor. Moreover. it's nice to see Lauter in a rare lead role. The downbeat ending packs a devastating emotional punch. An excellent, if decidedly bizarre show.

I loved it!

[SethPlate · 10/10 · 20 March 2015]

This was my favourite episode of Monsters with 'The Waiting Game' being a close second. I have watched it countless times and love the music from it. It really takes me back to watching Monsters on Satellite TV in the early 90's when I was in my teens.

I admit the acting was pretty terrible but that can be said for almost every episode of Monsters, it's just corny fun.

The story is full of contradictions, with the stupid wife changing her mind all the time, personally I think she's a selfish cow and she was responsible for ruining Malcoms life, watch it more than once and I think you will like it.