Well, just when Mike (Neil Flynn) thought he had everything under control, he thought wrong. When he's leaving work, he trips and falls down the three steps outside of his trailer and falls flat on his face. His men rush to his side coddling him in their odd way but Mike doesn't want to make a big deal out of it though Dave (Malcolm Foster Smith) is in charge of safety and has to report the incident which means a visit from OSHA to teach them how to properly walk down steps. And then corporate comes and ruins their accident free list, meaning they won't get a cupcake party. Needless to say, the men are mad at Mike, mouths already watering from the mere thought of those cupcakes. So Mike attempts to make some himself, with some help from Brick (Atticus Shaffer) who says that he does embarrassing stuff everyday but never lets it bother him and if it isn't bad enough for him to go cry in a cave, then it really isn't that bad.
Mike puts himself out on a limb and shows the tape to corporate, biting his tongue as they laugh but his men love him forever as they get their cupcake party.
Sue (Eden Sher) is hell-bent and getting Axl (Charlie McDermott) is reconnect with the family. She loves that he messes up all the nice plans they have for Christmas. The Heck's Christmas will go smoothly without him and that isn't how they roll. But he is resilient at first, as he can't be around people who don't love April (Greer Garson).
Frankie (Patricia Heaton) is about to call off work, siting mental health reasons, when Rita Glossner (Brooke Shields, great in this role) shows up ordering Frankie to drive her somewhere. Frankie is reluctant at first, but then they bond over the perfectness of Nancy Donohue until Rita saws off her ankle bracelet. Fortunately, this trip to Georgia turns out unexpectedly. Rita's a grandmother and the item in her bag wasn't anything bad, just a beautiful custom ornament. Frankie nearly cries as she sees Rita hold her grandson so she decides to mend things with Axl, despite the cost.
April comes to visit Axl and says that her family doesn't like him, they believe she can do better which is sickly funny. Axl is a real catch for her. But, as he insists, they have each other.
And then, the bomb. Axl runs to find Sue, still in her temporary housing and announces the bombshell, he did indeed do something stupid, he marries April. I'm just grateful she wasn't pregnant. I wonder how the Hecks will react to that news.
Again, this was another solid episode, with great performances all-around and I love seeing Mike's crew and Rita is always welcome. There aren't any laugh-out loud funny moments, but this show will quietly charm you. And make you wonder what will happen next. Grade: A-
Side Notes:
-Chuck (Greg Sipes) has room to drive Mike home on his dirt bike.
-Sue has always been a good dice roller.
-When Rita says Cheez-It she means only one.
-I love when Sue yells over her shoulder saying that journalism is dead and to start a blog.
-A mixing bowl is a good place to store your mail.
-And yes, the paper around cupcakes is important.
-Sprinkles do make everything more festive.
-Rita drives Frankie's car with her feet.
-Good callback to that Halloween episode where Frankie abandoned Rita in that forest.
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