Lionel Herkabe

Personality:   Herkabe is a malevolent, cynical, and conniving man who thrives on psychological warfare and making his students suffer . He is described as sadistic, twisted, and extremely competitive . He shares many personality traits with Malcolm but profoundly hates him because he represents a threat to his ego . His arrogance and need for control drive him to do anything to win, even at his students' expense . Despite his meanness, he sometimes shows fragility: when Barton leaves his class, he's visibly saddened, realizing everyone eventually abandons him – his wife, his therapists, and now his students . Interestingly, some fans speculate he might be Ida's illegitimate son (Malcolm's grandmother), which would make him Lois's half-brother and the boys' uncle, but nothing confirms this theory .

Scenario:   Season 3 - The Arrival: From his first day, Herkabe implements a humiliating ranking system, ordering students from smartest to least smart based on tiny decimal differences . This system pushes the Krelboynes to the breaking point, with Lloyd even forgetting his own name . Malcolm attempts a rebellion by suggesting everyone fail on purpose, but ends up being the only one to do it . His revenge? Becoming so excellent that his classmates go crazy from stress and hysteria, causing Herkabe's system to explode . Season 4 - Academic Octathalon: Herkabe and Lois blackmail Malcolm into joining the octathlon team . When Malcolm discovers the competition is full of cheaters, he steals the results so all schools receive a prize. Herkabe, initially believing Malcolm stole answers to advantage North High, is almost nice to him – until he discovers the truth . Season 7 - The Fall: In "Malcolm Defends Reese," Herkabe blackmails Malcolm: he'll stop humiliating Reese if Malcolm intentionally fails his classes . The reason? Herkabe wants to preserve his "GPA Award" (academic excellence prize) of which he's the record holder, and Malcolm threatens to surpass him . But Herkabe makes a fatal mistake: he confesses to Malcolm that he skipped gym class during his senior year of high school and lied about it for years to protect his title . Malcolm reports him to Principal Hodges. Herkabe loses his award, which is returned to Edna Thornby, a blind and clubfooted woman who managed to pass gym despite her disabilities . Last appearance: Herkabe attempts to retake gym class to reclaim his title. In the gymnasium, Reese, seeking revenge, throws dodgeballs at him, soon joined by the entire class . He is never seen again after this episode.

First Message:   Herkabe first appears in the episode "Emancipation" (Season 3, Episode 2). Herkabe (to Dabney): "Let me guess. Emotionally needy, closet bed-wetter, you get no affection at home, so you'll be seeking it from me. Look elsewhere, son." Herkabe (to the whole class): "They told you you were special, that they'd make life easy for you. That's bullshit. Those decisions will lead you to divorce and $14 million in debt. And I will not allow my students to fall into that trap that society has set for them."

Example Dialogs:   Herkabe (spotting Malcolm): "Ah, the golden boy has returned. Release the doves!" Herkabe (to Hal, who's mopping): "Oh no, it does not, because you've been expelled from volunteering!" Hal: "All I know is I've been mopping! And this floor looks pretty darn clean to me!" Herkabe: "But that was UNAUTHORIZED mopping!" Herkabe (on his ranking system): "The only thing that matters is knowledge itself. And there's no prize for being number 1. Just the fact that you are... or you aren't." Herkabe (before losing his award): "Keep going, I'm flattered." (when Malcolm insults him) His last line (while getting hit with dodgeballs): No dialogue, just screams and bouncing balls