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Season 1 – The Middle

Play trailer Poster for Season 1 – The Middle Sep 2009 Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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76% Tomatometer 21 Reviews 84% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
In the Heck family, middle-age, middle-class, middle-America mom Frankie Heck (two-time Emmy winner Patricia Heaton) uses a sense of humor to try to steer her family through life's ups and downs as she tackles her career goals. Her unflappable husband, Mike (Neil Flynn), is a manager at the local quarry. Oldest son Axl is an obstinate young man; awkward daughter Sue cannot seem to find her niche -- despite much enthusiasm in her attempts -- and youngest son Brick is an unusual child whose best friend is his backpack.
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The Middle — Season 1

The Middle — Season 1

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Critics Consensus

The Middle is a smart and engaging sitcom, able to exaggerate everyday situations to great comedic effect.

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Critics Reviews

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John Griffiths Us Weekly Sep 15, 2017
3.5/5
This solid comedy hits its stride. Go to Full Review Lucy Mangan Guardian Sep 17, 2013
It may improve as it finds its feet, but at the moment, it's a very middling kind of deal. Go to Full Review Daniel Fienberg HitFix Sep 17, 2013
The Middle wasn't tremendously funny, but the family dynamic felt like a healthy mixture of real and sitcom-y, all with a big dose of heart at the end. Go to Full Review Dustin Rowles Pajiba Jun 15, 2018
"The Middle," appropriately enough, is not nearly as good as "Modern Family," nor is it nearly as bad as the other show that bookends it, "Hank." It's somewhere in the middle. Go to Full Review Rob Owen Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Oct 8, 2009
A funny, fast-moving celebration of harried family life in middle America. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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TheMovieSearch R @TheMovieSearch Jul 7, 2026 Season one of The Middle completely surprised me. I had seen clips over the years and always knew the show existed, but I never actually sat down to watch it until now. I honestly couldn’t believe how funny, heartfelt, and well written it is. The quick humor, relatable family moments, and lovable characters immediately pulled me in, making it easy to binge the entire first season. Patricia Heaton is outstanding, bringing warmth, frustration, and comedy to every scene, while the rest of the cast has fantastic chemistry that makes the Heck family feel authentic. What impressed me most was how naturally the comedy flows without feeling forced. The writing balances laugh-out-loud moments with genuine heart, making everyday family struggles entertaining and relatable. Overall, The Middle is a wonderful sitcom that I completely underestimated. If you’ve never given it a chance because it didn’t seem appealing, I highly recommend changing that. I can’t wait to continue the rest of the series. See more Keith B @Okbullard Jul 7, 2026 This was a must see for me every week. All the characters were great and it had exceptional writing. I always enjoyed Patricia Heaton in Everybody Loves Raymond as well. See more Cheryl N @Cherry209 Jul 1, 2026 It's not bad. I'm not hooked, but it's good enough entertainment. I'm enjoying the world building, though the car dealership stuff is superfluous. See more Sophia E. @moonbeamicecream Apr 16, 2026 This is so good, that I am rewatching all nine seasons. Its appropriate for any age. The characters are perfectly designed and its just the best show ever. Its so hard to stop binging it. See more Noah S @movieguy101571 Mar 7, 2026 one of the greatest tv shows ever See more matthias s @Thescreenasvor Feb 22, 2026 The Middle’s first season is a warm, reliably funny comfort watch that earns a solid 74%. It doesn’t reinvent the family sitcom, but it nails the small, everyday chaos of raising kids on a budget. The jokes land more often than not, and the characters feel lived-in from the start. Some early episodes lean on familiar tropes, and a few storylines feel uneven, yet the heart always pulls it through. By the finale, the show finds a confident rhythm that makes it effortlessly bingeworthy. It’s heartfelt, scrappy, and surprisingly relatable in the best way. A cozy start worth revisiting again. See more Read all reviews
The Middle — Season 1

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Julie Anne Robinson

Director

Ken Whittingham

Director

Michael Spiller

Director

Barnet Kellman

Director

Gail Mancuso

Director

Lee Shallat

Director

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Sep 30, 2009 Pilot Sue auditions for show choir; Brick asks Frankie to come to his class presentation dressed in a costume; Frankie thinks she has finally sold a car. Details Episode 2 Aired Oct 7, 2009 The Cheerleader Frankie organizes a publicity stunt in hopes of saving her job; Sue discovers she needs glasses; Brick starts reading his mother's romance novels. Details Episode 3 Aired Oct 14, 2009 The Floating Anniversary Sick Brick, lovesick Sue, Axl, two crazy aunts and their diaper-wearing dog thwart Frankie and Mike's romantic plans for their anniversary. Details Episode 4 Aired Oct 21, 2009 The Trip Frankie encourages Sue to fight for her right to attend a class trip to the state capital; Brick's first girlfriend turns out to be a bit bossy. Details Episode 5 Aired Oct 28, 2009 The Block Party When Brick's teachers determine that he is socially challenged, Mike involves him in various activities, eventually settling on the block-party lawn-mower contest. Details Episode 6 Aired Nov 4, 2009 The Front Door Axl accidentally breaks down the front door and Mike insists he fix it; Frankie may be forced to wear a dog suit. Details Episode 7 Aired Nov 18, 2009 The Scratch An accident leads to a visit from a social worker; Bob tries to help Mr. Ehlert shoot a commercial. Details Episode 8 Aired Nov 25, 2009 Thanksgiving Mr. Ehlert forces the staff to work on Thanksgiving; Brick gets lost in a corn maze. Details Episode 9 Aired Dec 2, 2009 Siblings Frankie tries to stop her kids from fighting with one another; Mike considers firing Aunt Edie when she makes a costly mistake. Details Episode 10 Aired Dec 9, 2009 Christmas Mike offers to organize the Heck family Christmas so that Frankie can focus on rehearsing for her solo in the midnight Mass. Details Episode 11 Aired Jan 6, 2010 The Jeans Sue wants an expensive pair of jeans in order to fit in with her peers; Frankie and Mike let Brick take care of Aunt Edie and Aunt Ginny's dog for a few days. Details Episode 12 Aired Jan 6, 2010 The Neighbor Sue has a confrontation with a neighbor's sons; Axl is asked to help Brick with a gym requirement. Details Episode 13 Aired Jan 13, 2010 The Interview Mike discovers a dinosaur bone in the quarry at work; Brick decides to run for school historian. Details Episode 14 Aired Feb 3, 2010 The Yelling Frankie vows to stop yelling at the kids if they start following through on their schoolwork and chores; Mike takes a night job as a driver delivering snack cakes. Details Episode 15 Aired Feb 10, 2010 Valentine's Day Frankie and Mike try to plan a quiet, romantic Valentine's Day without the kids. Details Episode 16 Aired Mar 3, 2010 The Bee Mike helps Brick train for a regional spelling bee; Sue's birthday is forgotten. Details Episode 17 Aired Mar 10, 2010 The Break-Up Axl is heartbroken when his girlfriend (Alexa Vega) breaks up with him; Sue and Brick watch a scary movie. Details Episode 18 Aired Mar 24, 2010 The Fun House Frankie worries about her job when a motivational consultant (Amy Sedaris) is asked to speak to the sales staff; Mike gives advice to Sue's ex-boyfriend and helps Brick with a school project. Details Episode 19 Aired Mar 31, 2010 The Final Four Mike receives tickets to a basketball game that falls on the day of the funeral of Frankie's uncle; Brick tries to avoid a birthday party. Details Episode 20 Aired Apr 14, 2010 TV or Not TV Mike and Frankie decide to cut unnecessary expenses, including their cable TV; Brick and his fellow socially challenged friends are forced to socialize during recess. Details Episode 21 Aired Apr 28, 2010 Worry Duty Frankie worries that Axl will be heartbroken when his on-again and off-again girlfriend re-enters his life; Brick must watch over a baby chick for a school project. Details Episode 22 Aired May 5, 2010 Mother's Day Frankie does more for Mike and the kids and less for herself on Mother's Day; Sue feels guilty when she steals a motivational magnet from a store. Details Episode 23 Aired May 12, 2010 Signals Mike decides that he and Brick should be more social at the Heck family barbecue; Axl sets out to clean the family pool to entice girls to stop by for a swim. Details Episode 24 Aired May 19, 2010 Average Rules Frankie and Mike find out that Brick may be held back a grade because of the school librarian (Betty White); an aptitude test reveals Axl to be academically gifted. Details

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The Middle — Season 1

The Middle View more photos

Season Info

Director
Julie Anne Robinson, Ken Whittingham, Michael Alan Spiller, Barnet Kellman, Gail Mancuso, Lee Shallat Chemel, Wendey Stanzler, Reginald Hudlin, Jamie Babbit, Elliot Hegarty, Chris Koch
Executive Producer
Eileen Heisler, DeAnn Heline
Screenwriter
Vijal Patel, Eileen Heisler, Rob Ulin, Jana Hunter, Bruce Rasmussen, Mitch Hunter, DeAnn Heline
Network
ABC
Rating
TV-PG (L|D)
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date
Sep 30, 2009
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