|
Re: The Middle (ABC) -- Series Thread
SEASON PREMIERE THE FAREWELL SEASON BEGINS WITH AXL RETURNING HOME FROM EUROPE, SPORTING A MAN-BUN AND A NEW OUTLOOK ON LIFE; BRICK MAKES THE DECISION TO BREAK UP WITH CINDY; AND SUE TRIES TO CRAM AN ENTIRE SUMMER OF FUN INTO TWO DAYS, ON THE SEASON PREMIERE OF ABC'S 'THE MIDDLE' After almost a decade on the air, the upcoming ninth season of ABC's critically acclaimed fan-favorite series "The Middle" will be its final one. Two-time Emmy-winner Patricia Heaton stars in this warm and witty single-camera comedy about raising a family and lowering your expectations. Middle-aged, middle class and living in the middle of the country in Orson, Indiana, Frankie Heck is a harried wife and mother of three who uses her wry wit and sense of humor to get her family through each day intact. Frankie works as a dental assistant, and her unflappable husband, Mike, is manager at the local quarry and her sardonic partner in the daily grind that is raising their average - yes, most definitely average - family. On the season premiere episode, "Vive La Hecks," airing TUESDAY, OCTOBER 3 (8:00-8:30 p.m. EDT), on The ABC Television Network, Axl returns home from his summer trip to Europe, sporting a man-bun and embracing a new, chill European outlook on life. Mike just wants him to clean up and look for a job, but Frankie thinks Axl will do this on his own and asks Mike to give him a little breathing room. Meanwhile, because Sue worked the entire summer at Spudsy's and missed out on having any fun, she decides to cram in a whole summer of fun in two days before going back to college; Brick makes the decision to break up with Cindy because he doesn't want to be tied down in a relationship when he's about to embark on the revelry of his "big sophomore year"; and Frankie desperately tries to come up with an item for a time capsule that's being buried under the Orson cow that will make the town remember the Hecks when it's opened in 100 years. "The Middle" stars Patricia Heaton as Frankie, Neil Flynn as Mike, Charlie McDermott as Axl, Eden Sher as Sue and Atticus Shaffer as Brick. Guest starring are Beau Wirick as Sean Donahue and Casey Burke as Cindy. "Vive La Hecks" was written by Tim Hobert and directed by Lee Shallat Chemel. "The Middle" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format with a 5.1 channel surround sound. A TV parental guideline will be assigned closer to the airdate. |
Re: The Middle (ABC) -- Series Thread
I am loving the final season, and Deadline has an item up where the show runners are being given two more episodes to close out the show.
|
Re: The Middle (ABC) -- Series Thread
Always one of my favorites and this last season is staying strong
|
Re: The Middle (ABC) -- Series Thread
Agreed - strong last season and they keep calling back old jokes from seasons ago. I am sad to see it go. It could have kept going for a long time.
|
Re: The Middle (ABC) -- Series Thread
Just noticed that on our DVR the graphic for this season's shows reads "...The End" instead of "The Middle".
|
Re: The Middle (ABC) -- Series Thread
Originally Posted by Fanboy
(Post 13199525)
Just noticed that on our DVR the graphic for this season's shows reads "...The End" instead of "The Middle".
|
Re: The Middle (ABC) -- Series Thread
I'm in mourning over losing this show. I've adopted the whole family and they live with me now.
that said, they are killing it this season. Just brilliant stuff all the way around. This last episode, The Role, was The Middle at its best, just the five of them annoying and loving each other, like regular families. I loved it when Frankie got that wake-up call that her baby considers himself a cactus growing without attention. We've all noticed it. I'm glad she finally did. I love that Mike depends on Sue for all those womany things. My older sister had no sooner moved out of the house than my daddy began asking her to shop for presents for gift-giving occasions for our Mama. I've often thought he must have dreamt of being able to do that for years, just put it into another woman's hands. |
Re: The Middle (ABC) -- Series Thread
If only Roseanne was on the air two seasons back before it was announced that this season would be The Middle's last as it got a nice bump last night in the ratings. I take solace that not every sitcom can claim its final season is one of its best ones but The Middle is definitely going out on a high note.
|
Re: The Middle (ABC) -- Series Thread
Good lord Brick's girlfriend is a giant, how did I not notice this before? I get that Brick is a wee bitty thing but even so when they had her in the dress and they were walking through the library (a real charming scene btw) it really highlighted the differences in their height.
I will have genuinely fond memories of this show (have seen every single episode) when it is no longer on the air and this season just shows how wonderful a long running sitcom can be when it is in the final stretch when the show runners are given an opportunity to wrap things up in style. |
Re: The Middle (ABC) -- Series Thread
:thumbsup:
Truly one of my family's favorite shows. :mad: It will be missed. |
Re: The Middle (ABC) -- Series Thread
So I watched the finale on DVR last night and once again the recording cut off the last couple minutes. Who can tell me what happened?
Spoiler:
Did I miss anything? |
Re: The Middle (ABC) -- Series Thread
That wasn't the finale. The finale is tomorrow night and an hour long.
|
Re: The Middle (ABC) -- Series Thread
Sue put the snow globe in Sean's luggage. Axl told his parents he took the job.
|
Re: The Middle (ABC) -- Series Thread
Oh good because I thought it was lacking for a series finale.
I think Axl should move in with weird Ashley and really shake things up. |
Re: The Middle (ABC) -- Series Thread
Good finale. I was hoping they would do a flash forward. Glad we got to see a little of that. I will miss the show. One of the consistently funny comedies in the past few decades.
|
Re: The Middle (ABC) -- Series Thread
I've watched the show more in syndication and on dvd than when it actually aired. Nine years was a good run, and I have a lot to catch up with.
|
Re: The Middle (ABC) -- Series Thread
Originally Posted by Deftones
(Post 13337181)
Good finale. I was hoping they would do a flash forward. Glad we got to see a little of that. I will miss the show. One of the consistently funny comedies in the past few decades.
No call backs to Mike's father or brother, Frankie's parents (Jerry Van Dyke who passed away) Darrin or the Glossners. I realize you can only fit so much into an hour show but they've had a ton of good characters over the years. |
Re: The Middle (ABC) -- Series Thread
Originally Posted by JimRochester
(Post 13337262)
The flash forward was pretty cool but the wife thought they were going to shake things up by having Axl's wife be weird Ashley. The kids were spot on.
No call backs to Mike's father or brother, Frankie's parents (Jerry Van Dyke who passed away) Darrin or the Glossners. I realize you can only fit so much into an hour show but they've had a ton of good characters over the years. |
Re: The Middle (ABC) -- Series Thread
If Brick became a successful writer, you'd think he could at least buy his parents a new washing machine.
Did Brick ever talk about writing? I only remember him ever being into reading. I figured the flash forward would show him becoming a librarian. |
Re: The Middle (ABC) -- Series Thread
Originally Posted by JimRochester
(Post 13337262)
The flash forward was pretty cool but the wife thought they were going to shake things up by having Axl's wife be weird Ashley. .
However, when I saw Axl walk into a nice house I was kind of like "come on... he is a huge success??" but then if he married Lexie (which was cut off from her parent's money), I would imagine that once they got married and had kids her parents would help out with a 'significant' wedding gift - so that explain why he lived in such a nice house. If Brick became a successful writer, you'd think he could at least buy his parents a new washing machine. |
Re: The Middle (ABC) -- Series Thread
Originally Posted by windom
(Post 13337420)
If Brick became a successful writer, you'd think he could at least buy his parents a new washing machine.
Did Brick ever talk about writing? I only remember him ever being into reading. I figured the flash forward would show him becoming a librarian. He was never that creative as a kid, nor a great writer. |
Re: The Middle (ABC) -- Series Thread
IIRC, Brick tried to start writing a book a season or two ago, but couldn't get past 1st page. Maybe I am misremembering, but I think that is the case.
Actually I think it was the 1st sentence he couldn't get past. |
Re: The Middle (ABC) -- Series Thread
Originally Posted by CPA-ESQ.
(Post 13337445)
Cool idea - and now that I think of it - Ashley did throw rice on Axl's head before he left.. that would have been a nice twist.
However, when I saw Axl walk into a nice house I was kind of like "come on... he is a huge success??" but then if he married Lexie (which was cut off from her parent's money), I would imagine that once they got married and had kids her parents would help out with a 'significant' wedding gift - so that explain why he lived in such a nice house. If Brick became a successful writer, you'd think he could at least buy his parents a new washing machine. |
Re: The Middle (ABC) -- Series Thread
Originally Posted by CPA-ESQ.
(Post 13337445)
Cool idea - and now that I think of it - Ashley did throw rice on Axl's head before he left.. that would have been a nice twist.
However, when I saw Axl walk into a nice house I was kind of like "come on... he is a huge success??" but then if he married Lexie (which was cut off from her parent's money), I would imagine that once they got married and had kids her parents would help out with a 'significant' wedding gift - so that explain why he lived in such a nice house. If Brick became a successful writer, you'd think he could at least buy his parents a new washing machine. |
Re: The Middle (ABC) -- Series Thread
The finale was a big failure without the return of Chris Kattan. Did everyone forgot he was practically a lead character when the show started?
|
Re: The Middle (ABC) -- Series Thread
Originally Posted by windom
(Post 13338198)
The finale was a big failure without the return of Chris Kattan. Did everyone forgot he was practically a lead character when the show started?
|
Re: The Middle (ABC) -- Series Thread
Nice satisfying finale. Happy with how it ended.
|
Re: The Middle (ABC) -- Series Thread
It's interesting that Patricia Heaton was already talking about a reboot before the show ended. I'm holding out serious hope for that. In the meantime, I'm buy the whole series. I don't fall in love with shows often, but I honestly, really loved this family.
I cried when Sean told Sue she was like walking sunshine. That's exactly the way I've always seen her. |
Re: The Middle (ABC) -- Series Thread
Originally Posted by smorbie
(Post 13339483)
It's interesting that Patricia Heaton was already talking about a reboot before the show ended. I'm holding out serious hope for that. In the meantime, I'm buy the whole series. I don't fall in love with shows often, but I honestly, really loved this family.
I cried when Sean told Sue she was like walking sunshine. That's exactly the way I've always seen her. |
Re: The Middle (ABC) -- Series Thread
I doubt this show was ever popular enough to qualify for a reboot. Don't get me wrong, my wife and I liked the show, but it was never a must watch for us.
|
Re: The Middle (ABC) -- Series Thread
A Sue Heck spinoff is already in the works: http://ew.com/tv/2018/05/30/the-middle-spin-off/
|
Re: The Middle (ABC) -- Series Thread
Sounds awesome, I'm guessing if it happens it might not be for another year or two.
|
Re: The Middle (ABC) -- Series Thread
Originally Posted by Bluelitespecial
(Post 13342584)
Sounds awesome, I'm guessing if it happens it might not be for another year or two.
|
Re: The Middle (ABC) -- Series Thread
Well, if Eden Shear is interested than I would watch it.
|
Re: The Middle (ABC) -- Series Thread
Hmmm. Not sure how I feel about this. I like Sue but in small doses.
|
Re: The Middle (ABC) -- Series Thread
I loved the show but a little of her went a long way. Not sure if a whole show about her would catch on. They always divided up the attention pretty evenly so no one outshined the other. I could probably see an Axl spinoff before Sue.
|
Re: The Middle (ABC) -- Series Thread
Originally Posted by JimRochester
(Post 13342667)
I loved the show but a little of her went a long way. Not sure if a whole show about her would catch on. They always divided up the attention pretty evenly so no one outshined the other. I could probably see an Axl spinoff before Sue.
|
Re: The Middle (ABC) -- Series Thread
Originally Posted by mike7162
(Post 13343080)
One could argue the last 2 seasons were an Axl spinoff. I agree that a little Sue Heck goes a long way, but I was equally skeptical about Sheldon, and I love that show.
Likewise with TBBT and Sheldon. Jim Parsons made that show the smash it is, but when they focus too much on Sheldon and his treatment or mistreatment of others it becomes fatiguing. I can't even watch the promos for Young Sheldon that kid bothers me so much. |
Re: The Middle (ABC) -- Series Thread
Middle Spinoff Update: Eden Sher Confirms, 'We're Shooting a Pilot!'
https://tvline.com/2018/07/20/the-mi...deo-eden-sher/ |
Re: The Middle (ABC) -- Series Thread
ABC passed on the Sue Heck spinoff but the studio may try to sell it elsewhere. They should just put it on Freeform like what they did with Grownish.
https://deadline.com/2018/11/the-mid...ss-1202506243/ |
| All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:00 PM. |
Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.