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Season 5 – The Middle

Play trailer Poster for Season 5 – The Middle Sep 2013 Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
Tomatometer 4 Reviews 88% 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 5

Critics Reviews

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Jennifer Arellano Entertainment Weekly Sep 17, 2018
The nonchalant humor is equivalent to the smart kid sitting in the corner of your World History class who's super selective about when they speak, but when they do, it's always something profound. Go to Full Review Robert Bianco USA Today Sep 26, 2013
One of TV's best, and probably most under-appreciated, comedies Go to Full Review Will Harris AV Club Sep 26, 2013
B+
Looks like we've got another fun season ahead of us, and I for one can't wait to see where things go from here. Go to Full Review Sabienna Bowman TV Equals Mar 31, 2020
An outstanding episode from an outstanding show- it may have just passed the 100 mark, but it's not to late to drop in on The Middle. Once you visit Orson, I have a feeling you'll want to stay awhile. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Alice K. @GAMERALICE02 Oct 12, 2025 My comfort show. The Middle will always always always always hold a special place in my heart. I watch it nonstop.. See more Kid R. @Philadelphiagoosebumpsfan Aug 12, 2025 Pretty good season lol See more Will W @RT93096103 Feb 19, 2024 Still very much enjoying this series. See more Jul 23, 2014 Great show family friendly See more Jun 11, 2014 This is one of the best family comedies I have seen in a long time. I wonder why it does not get much publicity. It is on par with shows like Everybody Love Raymond and Modern Family. See more Apr 11, 2014 My wife thinks this show is funny. After five seasons of recycled storylines involving cartoonish characters, the show is at best predictable and at worst annoyingly boring. See more Read all reviews
The Middle — Season 5

My Rating

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Cast & Crew

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Phil Traill

Director

Elliot Hegarty

Director

Eileen Heisler

Director

John Putch

Director

Lee Shallat Chemel

Director

Blake T. Evans

Director

Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Sep 25, 2013 The Drop Off Against Axl's wishes, the whole family takes him to college and helps him move into the dorm; Brick keeps losing his new cell phone. Details Episode 2 Aired Oct 2, 2013 Change in the Air Sue feels a sense of freedom without Axl at school; Brick struggles with a fear as he starts middle school; Frankie is jealous when she learns that Axl replies to Mike's texts but not hers. Details Episode 3 Aired Oct 9, 2013 The Potato In order to get her own car, Sue gets a job at a mall eatery; Mike and Frankie learn that Brick hasn't been attending any classes; Axl spends nights at home to avoid his horrible roommate. Details Episode 4 Aired Oct 23, 2013 The 100th Mike and Frankie begrudgingly agree to drive a giant cow float in a parade as the town of Orson celebrates its 100th anniversary; Sue tries to make Darrin jealous. Details Episode 5 Aired Oct 30, 2013 Halloween IV: The Ghost Story Sue holds a seance with her friends; the football team stops Axl from attending the Halloween party in his room; the family tries to give Brick advice about girls. Details Episode 6 Aired Nov 13, 2013 The Jump Frankie rescues a lost dog and takes solace in the unconditional love she receives; Sue surprises her parents when she makes the volleyball team; Axl asks Brick for help with school. Details Episode 7 Aired Nov 20, 2013 Thanksgiving V Axl looks for the right time to share news about his college classes; Frankie's dad reveals a gambling loss; Sue hides a secret; Brick determines to have lime-green Jell-O salad on Thanksgiving. Details Episode 8 Aired Dec 4, 2013 The Kiss Mike and Frankie agree to house-sit for Frankie's sister in hope of having a romantic, kid-free weekend; Axl, Darrin and Sean go on a road trip. Details Episode 9 Aired Dec 11, 2013 The Christmas Tree Axl wants to spend time with his friends when he comes home for Christmas; Sue's allergies threaten to ruin her holiday; Brick's lie is uncovered. Details Episode 10 Aired Jan 8, 2014 Sleepless in Orson Frankie and Mike start to worry when Brick begins developing irrational fears; Sue is conflicted about Derrick Glossner's behavior; Axl and Sean shut down Darrin's attempt to start a Boss Co spinoff. Details Episode 11 Aired Jan 15, 2014 War of the Hecks Sue makes a discovery that leads to an ultimate prank battle with Axl; Brick tries to read a recommended biography on Debbie Reynolds. Details Episode 12 Aired Jan 22, 2014 The Carpool Principal Barker (Rachel Dratch) asks the parents to form carpools while the bus drivers are on strike; Axl becomes an astronomy expert so he can tutor an attractive student; Mike receives two tickets to a basketball game. Details Episode 13 Aired Feb 5, 2014 Hungry Games Reverend Deveaux interferes with the Hecks' plan to use their coupon for an all-you-can-eat buffet after church. Details Episode 14 Aired Feb 26, 2014 The Award Frankie tries to persuade Mike to attend a dinner honoring his dedicated service at the quarry; Sue forms a plan to build connections between students; Axl hopes to track down a girl who left a message on his phone. Details Episode 15 Aired Mar 5, 2014 Vacation Days Brick makes it hard for Mike to relax during the vacation he was forced to take; Frankie is furious when she learns that Axl was in town without letting her know; Sue tries extra hard to please her customers after receiving a bad review. Details Episode 16 Aired Mar 12, 2014 Stormy Moon When Frankie is arrested over an unreturned library book, she thinks Brick is at fault; Cassidy and Axl are reunited during spring break. Details Episode 17 Aired Mar 26, 2014 The Walk Frankie and Mike run into old acquaintances; Sue gets several dates to the prom; Brick gets Axl's help for a book report. Details Episode 18 Aired Apr 2, 2014 The Smell Bill backs out of coaching the girls' soccer team; Frankie tries to teach Brick better hygiene; Cassidy's painting confuses Axl. Details Episode 19 Aired Apr 23, 2014 The Wind Chimes Frankie begs Rita Glossner to take down her noisy wind chimes; Axl and Hutch try to figure out a way to retrieve a couch they found on the side of the road; Brick tries to come up with a new pretzel snack idea; Sue announces she is back with Darrin. Details Episode 20 Aired Apr 30, 2014 The Optimist Sue frantically tries to earn a college scholarship for when she graduates from high school in two years; Frankie hopes to correct a mistake at work without her boss finding out; Brick demands a formal apology from Mike after a misunderstanding. Details Episode 21 Aired May 7, 2014 Office Hours Frankie limits the hours during which the kids can voice their needs; Mike watches to make sure Darrin doesn't take advantage of Sue; Brick invites new friends over. Details Episode 22 Aired May 14, 2014 Heck on a Hard Body Sue enters a contest to win a car; Mike and his brother bond on a road trip to Chicago for Brick's spelling bee; Frankie goes to Axl's dorm to help him find a missing desk. Details Episode 23 Aired May 21, 2014 Orlando Sue looks forward to the trip to Walt Disney World; Brick begs his parents to take him to meet his online girlfriend; Axl waits to learn his final grades. Details Episode 24 Aired May 21, 2014 The Wonderful World of Hecks A series of unfortunate events threatens to spoil the trip to Walt Disney World. Details

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The Middle — Season 5

The Middle View more photos

Season Info

Director
Phil Traill, Elliot Hegarty, Eileen Heisler, John Putch, Lee Shallat Chemel, Blake T. Evans, Julie Anne Robinson
Executive Producer
Eileen Heisler, DeAnn Heline
Screenwriter
David S. Rosenthal, Tim Hobert, Jana Hunter, Roy Brown, Robin Shorr, Ben Adams, Katy Ballard, DeAnn Heline, Mitch Hunter, Eileen Heisler
Network
ABC
Rating
TV-PG
Genre
Comedy
Original Language
English
Release Date
Sep 25, 2013
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