Wednesday, April 4, 2018

The Middle: Thank You for Not Kissing

Frankie (Patricia Heaton) begins the episode by raking under Axl's (Charlie McDermott's) bed for more dishes and discovers that he's never finished a thank you note in his life. He can't string two sentences together to thank others for the kind things they have done for him in his life. A mass text isn't going to cut it either. It isn't until Brick (Atticus Shaffer) decides to help him and discovers one addressed to the late, great Aunt Edie and states that she would have appreciated it that Axl finally digs deep and is kind and charming and is able to complete the thank you notes. And that comes back to bite him. Some are so touched by his note that they send him money in return so the whole chain has to start over again.
In the meantime, Mike (Neil Flynn) and Frankie are called down to the school. Apparently, Brick and Cindy (Casey Burke) have been making out all over the place including during a pray vigil, which is just odd. At first, Mike tells him to knock it off, even though he is secretly very proud, but Cindy is livid with everything. In the end, Mike realizes that you're only young once so he tells Brick to do what he wants, as long as Cindy has provided consent and that he'll have Brick's back.
And poor Sue (Eden Sher). She has finally decided to give the snowglobe back to Sean (Beau Wirick) only to be thwarted by him hugging this random older woman and then by the fact that Sean got a fellowship to Ghana so that's where he'll be spending the whole summer. Sure, the end result is just upsetting but Sue's path to try to grow up so she can impress Sean is the most moving plot line of the night. She tries make-up and adult conversation and works to become sophisticated but finally decides that if Sean doesn't like her as she is, then it isn't meant to be. But timing is everything. It really is. First, you need two people interested and attracted to each other at the same time and then they both need to want something similar for their future. That doesn't happen often. So when it does, you should treasure it. And Mike finally realizes that. He buys Frankie flowers and she shaves her legs quickly in the sink so they can really make out. They need to keep the romance alive somehow. The world needs more romance.
All-in-all, this was a solid episode and one that kept me guessing the whole time. There were even some funny moments, which is another thing the world needs more of. Grade: B+
Side Notes:
-Sue, you totally said yellow.
-Stalking doesn't work, for the record.
-Mike didn't think he would have to have the sex talk with Brick.
-The last time Mike turned off the TV during a sports game, Aunt Edie died.
-Brick couldn't believe that Dr. Fulton (Dave Foley) was trying to talk to them during a prayer vigil.
-Making out is enjoyable, not that I've done it in well over a year.
-Brick doesn't like making out in the woods and alleys.
-Jesus did the ultimate thank you, but he didn't need to write anything.
-Apparently, Brick and Cindy make out over a dissected frog. That is just beyond disgusting.
-Who doesn't love dolphins?
-"I'm dating a tall wall that needs a Brick," is perhaps the best line of whole series.

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