The Middle: The Crying Game

What goes around, comes around. Brick (Atticus Shaffer) is having troubles in his health class. He doesn't understand what ovaries are and then he is handed Axl's (Charlie McDermott's) old baby, duct tape included. Brick is livid and gets up in Axl's face. Naturally, Axl recognized the baby. But, as Brick actually changed the diaper so the baby has been renamed Axlina. And while Brick might be better than Axl, he still leaves the baby in the fridge and dries her wet diaper in the dryer. And both Axl's and Sue's (Eden Sher's) attempts to mend fences with his teacher (Rose Abdoo). She doesn't remember Sue even though Sue saved her dog from heatstroke and she still hates Axl but didn't like Brick for reasons all his own. Brick licked her car but as it turns out, he licks a lot of cars which is just disgusting. She even offered to swap out his baby for a whole one but she opts to keep Axlina as someone needs to love the weird ones.
Mike's (Neil Flynn's) plot line doesn't get the attention it deserves. He is offered the job as regional manager and he takes it. Though he often reluctant to change, he is finally satisfied to mix things up but things don't go to plan. The guys give him a heartfelt goodbye, but then as corporate rented out half their office, Mike has a new trailer right next to his old room. Plus, most of the work is done remotely anyway.
And Frankie (Patricia Heaton) just wants to have a good cry, which she never does. We don't know why she's having a bad week but apparently she is.
I wasn't thrilled with the main plot line, though having high schoolers watch a fake baby should be funny and it was done well the first time. And more focus should have given to Mike and what his new job entails and why he wants it, though he says it isn't for the money as he doesn't even think there is a pay increase. Still, the performances were decent but there were no laughs. This is probably one of the weakest episodes of the season. Grade: B-
Side Notes:
-Someone from the outside was hired for the job Mike now has, but he was fired because he got handsy and is now running for Congress, which sounds about right.
-Some guys at the quarry, mostly Jim (Troy Metcalf) are devastated that Mike is leaving.
-Axl really was awful in his high school health class. He drew buttronauts all over the sign of the female reproductive system which is disturbing.
-Sue scolds her old teacher for not remembering who she is. While I think it is ridiculous to expect teachers to remember old of their students, the teacher still should have lied. Sue was out of line with that speech.
-Mike appreciates people who clock in on time.
-Dave (Malcolm Foster Smith) is bringing back office birthdays if he gets Mike's job.
-The baby always cries under florescent lights.
-Brick has read to his fake baby numerous times, which is what I would expect from him.