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Character Role Analysis

Malcolm and Cole

Cole's and Malcolm's polar-opposite qualities definitely help define them. Malcolm is a therapist, so he's all about communicating, whereas Cole's in deep secrecy mode when we first meet him. His whole approach to survival hinges on keeping his mom (and basically everyone else) in the dark about his special powers. He definitely does not think that talking to a (dead) therapist will help with any of that.

Malcolm's a pretty convincing guy, though, so he eventually manages to draw Cole out. Through that whole negotiation, Malcolm and Cole benefit and figure out how to clean up the messes in their lives. Initially it seems that Cole's the one who needs Malcom's insight. Turns out, though, that Cole's the one with the insight about Malcolm. There are lots of interesting role reversals that make them the perfect foils.