I know that there is a post similar to this in the S7 forum, but I believe everyone will agree that it's not really that much of a spoiler, and I'd like to get some feedback but the S7 forums seem to be a little apathetic - so here we go!
The mentioned post is about the usage of "breaking the fourth wall" in Season 7. Malcolm simply doesn't use his trademark "talking to the camera/audience" as much in the last season, and many fans seem to be disappointed by this.
I would like to present the opposite argument that this lack of direct camera dialogue is a good thing, and was pivotal to Malcolm's and the show's development into Season 7. Not only has the show been just as much about the whole family - if not moreso about the whole family - than Malcolm, in S7, but this lack of Malcolm soliloquy is symbolic of the boys' (and the plot's) maturity as we entered the final stretch. Malcolm seems to be becoming more and more accepting of his life, his future, and his family - and this is reflected in fewer family conflicts, more serious subject matter, and a less cynical Malcolm that we really started seeing after "Jessica Stays Over".
Shortly, Malcolm saving his trademark addresses for only the most resounding or funny moments, instead of every time his family "disfunction" needed to be focused on, is directly reflective of his changing character and the changing tone of the show. No longer are Malcolm or the show in general about "that wacky family" - it becomes a much more mature and measured tale of life, society and purpose. Malcolm no longer needs to break the fourth wall because his audience is experiencing his new view of life just as he is. From "Health Insurance" to "Malcolm Defends Rees" to "Hal Grieves", S7 in its entirety acts as a conclusion to the topical and intellectual development of the prior seasons.
The mentioned post is about the usage of "breaking the fourth wall" in Season 7. Malcolm simply doesn't use his trademark "talking to the camera/audience" as much in the last season, and many fans seem to be disappointed by this.
I would like to present the opposite argument that this lack of direct camera dialogue is a good thing, and was pivotal to Malcolm's and the show's development into Season 7. Not only has the show been just as much about the whole family - if not moreso about the whole family - than Malcolm, in S7, but this lack of Malcolm soliloquy is symbolic of the boys' (and the plot's) maturity as we entered the final stretch. Malcolm seems to be becoming more and more accepting of his life, his future, and his family - and this is reflected in fewer family conflicts, more serious subject matter, and a less cynical Malcolm that we really started seeing after "Jessica Stays Over".
Shortly, Malcolm saving his trademark addresses for only the most resounding or funny moments, instead of every time his family "disfunction" needed to be focused on, is directly reflective of his changing character and the changing tone of the show. No longer are Malcolm or the show in general about "that wacky family" - it becomes a much more mature and measured tale of life, society and purpose. Malcolm no longer needs to break the fourth wall because his audience is experiencing his new view of life just as he is. From "Health Insurance" to "Malcolm Defends Rees" to "Hal Grieves", S7 in its entirety acts as a conclusion to the topical and intellectual development of the prior seasons.