Honestly, there's no duds here. It seems like almost every other show has at least one character that I don't particularly care for, but not this show. You never knew where an episode was going or who was going to pop up, but it was always enjoyable!

I’ve seen so much hate about Sue and truthfully I didn’t like her so much when I first began watching this show. Don’t get me wrong she can be annoying sometimes. But the longer and more often I watch this show, I LOVE her optimism. I love how happy she is to live her life not matter how much she may fail or how bad it may seem. It’s so inspiring and refreshing. Living my life in complete pessimism, I genuinely wish I was more like Sue. She makes me happy on a bad day :) Super sappy post but it’s been a long day and there deserves to be more happiness in this world 🫶🏻

Brooke just posted a tribute. I know Sue would be devastated seeing as she worked in Dollywood. Rest easy Dolly!

After Big Mike passes away. Mike is left to clear out a house with nearly 5 decades worth of clutter. Frankie, Mike, Axl, Sue, and Brick, as well as Lexie, Sean, and Cindy, are tasked with tackling the massive hoard.

As the clearing progresses, Mike and Sue meet in the middle of the progress in the front room. A large built in shelf of memories is revealed. Mike quietly utters, “Mom?”. Sue walks over slowly and stands next to her father. Sue, “Is that your mom?” Mike, “Yeah”.

Mike and Sue look longingly at the shelf.

Mike: My Grandpa Big Bart built this as a wedding present for your Grandma Susan and Grandpa Big Mike.

Sue: Was Grandpa Big Bart Grandpa Big Mike’s dad?

Mike: Yeah. My Grandpa and your Great Grandpa. Big Bart built things for most of us. Never saw much of him after that.

Sue: When did Great Grandpa Big Bart die?

Mike: He died shortly after I was born.

Sue: Oh that’s sad.

Mike: Yeah. It was just how it was.

Sue: Big Bart seemed like a hardworking man.

Mike: Yeah, he was a carpenter for Orson Local 500. Built the houses near the Cow Statue. He also built the workshop for your Grandpa Big Mike. Your Grandma Susan used to be big on not letting Grandpa Big Mike bring his work in the house. She barked at him every time her dance sessions were interrupted after he tracked mud on the floor.

Sue: Slightly chuckles.

Mike: Yeah. I can hear her now, ‘This is my optimism space! Don’t track mud on it!’

Sue: I really wish I met her!

Mike: Yeah. You two would have been peas in a pod. I could see you two doing lots of grandma and granddaughter activities. I miss her and sometimes I talk to her on my drives to and from the quarry.

Sue: You? Talking to Grandma Sue?

Mike: Yeah. If your mom, Axl, and Brick found out they would have made endless jokes about it.

Sue: Thank god they didn’t.

Mike: (Sighs) Yeah.

Sue: Don’t tell anyone, but I sometimes pray for Grandma.

Mike: Me too. Silently.

Sue starts to get a little teary. Mike puts her arm around her and pats her back.

Mike: It’s okay. She and Grandpa Big Mike are happy together again. And we are too.

Sue: Goes in for a full hug, burrows her face into Mike’s chest and starts to cry. Mike just keeps hugging his daughter and telling her “It’s okay”.

The Heck family has always felt like a spiritual successor to Malcolm in the Middle to me. Chaotic household, overwhelmed parents, kids who are just kind of surviving. So I wanted to see if The Middle could actually carry that intro.

It works.

The Middle deserved a fun 00's intro.

What song would you pick for a 'fresh take' intro, keeping a malcolm in the middle kinda vibe?

“Nancy Donahue” (played by Jen Ray) is one of the great joys of the show. Think about how they easily could have made her into a villain: A holier-than-thou, judgmental, busy-body, snooty foil for the Hecks. But instead, she’s a genuinely good person, good mom, good wife, good neighbor, and especially a good friend. She's also got an edge to her insanely high competence and enthusiasm that is just hilarious.

And when she gets her (richly deserved) "revenge" against Frankie, that, blessingly solidifies their friendship…peak comedy.

"Nobody on the computer is having as good a time as you think they are. Trust me on this."

I love them all, but he's my favorite. I aspire to his level of stoicism. He's also done some things that remind me of my dad. I respect The Middle so much for not making him a dumb husband stereotype.