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Homecoming is the second episode of season two.

Summary[]

Frankie's dream of dressing up and walking Axl onto the football field with Mike at homecoming will finally come true as Axl makes the varsity football team; however, Sue's first cross country meet is the same day, and she and Mike need to decide where they should go. Meanwhile, Mike makes Brick rake the leaves in the yard.

Plot[]

Frankie says, “Out here in The Middle, fall means a lot of things. Crunchy leaves…hayrides…and most importantly, homecoming.” Since Axl made the varsity football team, Frankie gets to escort him onto the field before the big homecoming game. They haven’t had a lot of mother-son moments lately, so this one will be extra-special. She’ll be able to kiss Axl on the cheek, knowing that he won’t wipe it off in front of a crowd.

Frankie spares no expense when she picks up a snazzy new dress for the big event. Actually, there really will be “no expense” since she plans to tuck in the tags and return it the next day. Now, we all know that Axl isn’t the only athlete in the Heck house these days. Sue is on the cross-country team. She can’t wait for her folks to come cheer her on at her first track meet, which just happens to be the same day as homecoming. Uh oh.

Frankie doesn’t want to miss the homecoming game. Mike suggests they talk to Sue about the dilemma. She’s more than understanding and tells her dad that it’s okay if he doesn’t come to her meet. She’ll be fine if only mom is there. Good plan, lousy execution.

Mike talks to Sue’s coach and gets him to move the cross country race up a half-hour so Frankie can swing both events. How’d he do that, you ask? Mike says, “There’s not much you can’t accomplish in this town with a case of beer and a wheel of cheese.” We’re guessing that’s true pretty much anywhere.

Mike decides it’s time for Brick to grow up and start doing some chores. There are lots of leaves in the backyard that need cleaning up. Mike provides Brick with the tools of the trade as well as some valuable guidance. He says, “Rake works better if you flip it around.” Rookie mistake.

As it turns out, Brick doesn’t need the rake at all. That’s because he’s meticulously picking up each individual leaf by hand. After a proper inspection, he places each leaf in a garbage bag corresponding to similar shapes, colors, etc. When Brick finds a leaf that doesn’t look like it came from their tree, he returns it to the neighbor’s yard. The kid is very good at his job.

11 days later, all the leaves are gone, and Brick is upset to hear that his flaky friends are headed for the incinerator. So, Mike pops all those lawn bags into the back of the car. He and Brick head out to the woods, where they release all the fallen leaves into the wild. Nice.

Sue’s cross country meet is way out in the middle of nowhere. But Frankie is there to cheer on her daughter when the starter pistol pops. She’s also there waiting for Sue long after every other runner has crossed the finish line. Frankie finds her direction-impaired daughter along the trail. She convinces Sue to hop in the car so they can get to the homecoming game. Unfortunately, they get stuck in some major gridlock.

The game is almost over by the time Frankie finally arrives. She completely missed the homecoming festivities. She does, however, see Axl pull in a sparkling fourth-quarter interception. He’s headed for the end zone. Then he’s headed for the ground after a bone-crushing tackle. Frankie may have missed her chance to hit the field earlier, but that doesn’t stop her from heading out there now to make sure her baby boy isn’t hurt. It’s gotta be hard crossing a football field in high heels.

Axl is beyond humiliated. He refuses to acknowledge his mom as she rubs his aching shoulder back home. Frankie tries to explain that she just misses the times she could be a mom to him. When she moves to leave, Axl says she can keep rubbing his shoulder if she wants. So, Frankie didn’t get that big, public moment she longed for with her son. That’s okay. This private little mother-son moment is just as special.

The Middle Episodes
Season 1
PilotThe CheerleaderThe Floating AnniversaryThe TripThe Block PartyThe Front DoorThe ScratchThanksgivingSiblingsChristmasThe JeansThe NeighborThe InterviewThe YellingValentine's DayThe BeeThe Break-UpThe Fun HouseThe Final FourTV or Not TVWorry DutyMother's DaySignalsAverage Rules
Season 2
Back to SchoolHomecomingThe Diaper IncidentThe QuarryForeign ExchangeHalloweenA Birthday StoryErrand BoyThanksgiving IIA Simple ChristmasTaking Back the HouseThe Big ChillSuper SundayValentine's Day IIFriends, Lies and VideotapeHecks on a PlaneThe Math ClassSpring CleaningThe LegacyRoyal WeddingMother's Day IIThe PromThe BridgeBack to Summer
Season 3
Forced Family FunHecking OrderMajor ChangesThe TestBad ChoicesHalloween IIHeck's Best ThingThe PlayThanksgiving IIIA Christmas GiftYear of the HecksThe MapHecking It UpValentine's Day IIIThe ConcertThe Sit DownLeap YearThe Paper RouteGet Your Business DoneThe Guidance CounselorThe CloverThe TellingThe Wedding
Season 4
Last Whiff of SummerThe Second ActBunny TherapyThe HoseHalloween III: The DrivingThe SafeThanksgiving IVChristmas HelpTwenty YearsLife SkillsOne Kid at a TimeThe FriendThe SmileValentine's Day IVWinners and LosersWheel of PainThe NameThe BachelorDollar DaysFrom Orson with LoveHallelujah HoedownThe DitchThe Graduation
Season 5
The Drop OffChange in the AirThe PotatoThe 100thHalloween IV: The Ghost StoryThe JumpThanksgiving VThe KissThe Christmas TreeSleepless in OrsonWar of the HecksThe CarpoolHungry GamesThe AwardVacation DaysStormy MoonThe WalkThe SmellThe Wind ChimesThe OptimistOffice HoursHeck on a Hard BodyOrlandoThe Wonderful World of Hecks
Season 6
Unbraceable YouThe Loneliest LockerMajor AnxietyThe TableHalloween V: The HangingThe SinkholeThanksgiving VIThe College TourThe Christmas WallPam Freakin' StaggsA Quarry StoryHecks on a TrainValentine's Day VIThe AnswerSteaming Pile of GuiltFlirting with DisasterThe Waiting GameOperation InfiltrationSiblings and SombrerosFood CourtingTwo of a KindWhile You Were SleepingMother's Day ReservationsThe Graduate
Season 7
Not Your Brother's Drop OffCutting the CordThe ShirtRisky BusinessLand of the LostHalloween VI: Tick Tock DeathHomecoming II: The TailgateThanksgiving VIIThe ConventionNot So Silent NightThe RushBirds of a FeatherFloating 50Film, Friends and Fruit PiesHecks at a MovieThe Man HuntThe Wisdom TeethA Very Donahue VacationCrushedSurvey Says...The LanaiNot Mother's DayFind My HecksThe Show Must Go On
Season 8
The Core GroupA Tough Pill to SwallowHalloween VII: The HeckoningTrue GritRoadkillThanksgiving VIILook Who's Not TalkingTrip and FallA Very Marry ChristmasEscape OrsonHoosier MaidPitch ImperfectOvary and OutSorry Not Sorry Dental Hijinks Swing and a Miss Exes and OhhhsThe Par-tayThe ConfirmationAdult SwimClear and Present DangerThe Final FinalFight or Flight
Season 9
Vive La HecksPlease Don't Feed the HecksMeet the ParentsHalloween VIII: Orson Murder MysteryRole of a LifetimeThe SetupThanksgiving IXEyes Wide OpenThe 200thNew Year's RevelationsThe Other ManMommapaloozaGuess Who's Coming to Frozen DinnerToastedThe Crying GameHecks vs. Glossners: The Final BattleThank You for Not KissingBat Out of HeckGreat HeckspectationsThe Royal FlushSplit DecisionA Heck of a Ride
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