The Middle: The Christmas Wall

Well, is a King Moonracer (a lion with wings) a misfit toy or not? That is the question. And this leads to the first shown fight between Axl (Charlie McDermott) and Sean (Beau Wirick). Axl believes so while Sean doesn't think that he is an actual misfit toy. They get into a huge fight, first with words and then with fists, destroying some lovely blow-up decorations they are putting up for other people. They decide to lock Darrin (John Gammon) away to watch the Rudolph special and will make the final decision. Their fifteen year friendship rests on Darrin's shoulders. Yikes.
Frankie (Patricia Heaton) is having tons of trouble getting into the holiday spirit. She's sick of doing everything expected of her: writing the Christmas letter, baking cookies, putting up the tree so she's  going on strike, sitting on the couch, in her underwear or pajamas, thrilled with doing nothing. Mrs. Donahue (Jen Ray) is horrified and can't understand her attitude, believing the world will end if she doesn't wrap her garage door as a giant Christmas present.
In the meantime, Brick (Atticus Shaffer) is thrilled to discover Christmas letters from people they barely know. He reads them like a story and can't wait until next year to get the next chapter. No, seriously, he can't wait, calling the Kirkwoods to find out more details, greeting them like they were old friends, wanting to know more about Dale's soccer or Emily's engagement. However, when he tries to write a Christmas letter for the Hecks, he can't come up with anything good. The truth is horrible and he can't lie. I don't think he ever finishes the letter.
When it comes time for Darrin to make a decision, he chickens out, running outside in the snow without a coat on. In the end, he agrees that King Moonracer is a toy, Sean is okay with the solution and then they have a disagreement over if snow angels are unisex or only female, but this ends peacefully.
Mike (Neil Flynn) is having issues of his own that aren't solved as easily as Axl's. He is having trouble finding a fake Christmas tree that is complete and not pink. In the end, they settle for one that is mostly green with a pink top because Mike is driving anywhere else to get another tree. Just when Frankie is satisfied with her own decision Mike pulls the sympathy card by just telling the truth. He didn't really have decorations growing up because his mother died young and then it was just three guys who didn't really care. In fact, he didn't celebrate Christmas until he met Frankie. This forces her to get off her butt and put up decorations though she does fail to wrap the presents, leaving them in their labelled paper bags. Fortunately, the kids are happy and so is she.
Frankie finally gets behind the real meaning of Christmas, making good memories with your family and having them enjoy the holiday because the stuff you think is pointless actually isn't. It is about family togetherness.
This episode should have done just a little more with the family Christmas letter, and Sue really wasn't given much to do, though this was still a good episode and certainly another solid holiday episode for the Heck family, who always do the holidays so well and realistically. Solid acting all around and some funny lines. Brick is really given some hilarious lines as of late. Hopefully that continues. Grade: A-
-"We're getting this tree. It's 50% off."-Mike, making the decision of which tree they should get easier.
-Frankie's mom gets a mention when she sends them some fudge in the mail.
-Brick's horrible Christmas letter includes some intimate discussions between Frankie and Mike, including if Sue was going to lose it with Darrin. Also, Axl's career ended just as soon as it began. I hope not, considering he's on an athletic scholarship. And there are always issues with money.
-Mrs. Donahue believes the smell of cookies is essential in the house.
-Naturally, when Frankie takes off her pants, Axl is horrified.
-When the kids offer her a general apology, Brick swears he will try to stop licking things. That is just disgusting.
-During Darrin's viewing of Rudolph, Sue runs out to report the play-by-play to the guys asking if he can look at outside sources (allowed) or if he can rewind (first impressions only) before making the final decisions.
-It is ridiculous that Frankie needs to drive to a separate store to buy Christmas paper and bows.
-Sue bought Darrin a three-foot tall bear he really wanted. How sweet.