The Middle (2009)

Episode Overview

The first episode of The Middle, created by DeAnn Heline and Eileen Heisler and directed by Julie Anne Robinson, aired on ABC on September 30, 2009. It introduces the Heck family, featuring Frankie, the busy mom; her husband Mike; and their three kids—teenagers Axl and Sue, along with their youngest, Brick. The series portrays their daily struggles and family dynamics, with Frankie narrating their experiences. Critics responded positively to the pilot, giving it a score of 70/100 on Metacritic. Many reviewers noted similarities to the comedy Malcolm in the Middle.