Scene from Malcolm in the Middle

I apologise for the length of this post.

Here's a scene that says something important about the nature of apology, though I'm not sure what. An apology too long delayed is not enough? If you want to win forgiveness you gave to give more than they expect? Something like that, maybe.

Lois: I wasn't a good enough mother to you and I'm sorry. I shouldn't have left you with her, and I shouldn't have sent you to military school. I got overwhelmed and I took things out on you that weren't your fault. They were my fault, and I'm sorry.
Francis: But?
Lois: But nothing. I'd like to think I was a little bit better with the other boys, but that's just further proof that you got a terrible deal. You deserved a mother who was more patient and more caring, and it breaks my heart that you didn't get that mother.
Francis: Thank you. Wow. Wow. Wow. I've just waited so many years to hear you say that. Why don't I feel better?
Lois: What do you mean?
Francis: I mean, I actually had fantasies where you said that, pretty much word-for-word. It's spooky how close it is, but it's not helping. Why didn't it help?!
Lois: You want me to say something else?
Francis: No, no, I mean, you said everything! Anything else would just be fake. I mean, that was like the perfect thing, and I am still filled with all this resentment. Oh, my God, this sucks! That was, like, the one thing I was living for and it's just... not working at all!
Lois: Just try to breathe.
Francis: No! You can't just have your life dream stripped away from you and be okay about it!
Lois: Do you want a cold washcloth?
Francis: I don't think so. I don't know. I don't know what I want.
Lois: Do you want me to give you some money?
Francis: How much money?
Lois: I have $200. I only need $30 for the bus.
Francis: Okay.
Lois: Here.
Francis: And the Tic Tacs.
Lois: Okay, honey, just remember that I love you. In my own imperfect, bad mothering way, I do love you.