The Middle: The Jump

There actually wasn't much that happened this episode, but that's okay.
First off, Axl (Charlie McDermott) is doing horribly in college. He's doing so bad, he should drop three of his classes because there is no way he will pass them, leaving him with just one class. Though he loathed his mother's nagging while he was living at home, he realizes that he needs Frankie (Patricia Heaton) on his back otherwise, he won't get anything done. Not even a crash course in studying, trying to cram with Brick (Atticus Shaffer) could help. Axl is unorganized and lazy and there must be something quite wrong with him if he sleeps for two straight days.
Sue (Eden Sher) manages to make the volleyball team. But it isn't because she actually has talent. It's because during her try-out, she falls through the gym floor, right into the janitor's break room, the sofa breaking her fall. Naturally, she gets no playing time, though when Mike (Neil Flynn) shows up, probably despite his better judgment, and starts yelling her name, the coach misinterprets that and thus puts Sue in, even though it is game point. So she goes in and manages not to mess up. She doesn't do anything right, but by just falling backwards, the ball hits her head, twice, forcing her down on the ground, but the Hens win, so Sue is the hero, at least for a brief moment.
As for Frankie, everyone in the family is being mean to her. They make fun of her painted nails; they are cruel when she accidentally mispronounces a word; Sue can't believe she still types www. when typing a website address in the search box. But she finally reaches her limit when she tries to jump, because Sue hung a banner up for her volleyball practicing, and can't get up, she breaks down. But then, she finds a stray dog who just jumps into her car. Sure, she knows they can't keep him, so she'll put out banners. This is Frankie guys, so there aren't banners or anything yet. She also names the dog Colin Firth and he is rather attached to her, following her around the house. He also doesn't really like the rest of the family, growling at Mike and tearing Sue's volleyball apart. Finally, Frankie tells the family that their insults hurt, so Mike gathers the troops and they rally Frankie's feelings, apologizing and stuff, so the episode ends on a happy note, though trouble is looming ahead; it's the Heck family. Nothing ever fully goes their way. But I love when the show ends with the whole family together.
Sure, this was far from The Middle's best, but nothing was truly wrong with it, though the plots were weak. The acting is always top-notch and it did have its funny moments, though nothing compared to the last new episode. And Axl, for the love of God, pull yourself together and grow up. And learn how to fold your own laundry. Grade: B+
Side Notes:
-Does Mike ever go to work?
-What does Axl really do at college?
-I can't believe Sue is mean to Frankie, but I could tell that she is the only one who regrets her actions and thus her apology is sincere.
-Axl doesn't tell his parents about his malfunction at college.
-He even needs Brick's help to drop his classes.
-I love how they let Sue on the team so she wouldn't sue the school, how sweet of them.
-The episode begins with expired soup night, no wonder they hate Frankie's cooking. Axl won't even eat it.
-What is Kenny's deal? He disturbs me.