The Middle

The Middle

Episode 4: Major Changes

By: Carlos Uribe

The Middle is a show about a family in Indiana.

Spoilers Ahoy!

Major Changes refers to the idea that there has to be major changes. No-one is entirely sure what these changes are, because Frankie (who brought the idea up) herself probably doesn't know. In the end, there are few changes largely because families don't change. They stick together, even when one feels like leaving the family.

Frankie has once again had enough. After accidentally eating Axl's toe nail clippings (gross) out of a potato chip bags, Frankie is simply embarrassed. That and her general craziness causes her to leave her family to go see her mom for a couple of days. Frankie has always been portrayed as a bit crazy, so this behavior isn't out of character. In fact, you'd think she would do this more often. She's stuck with a family that tends to drive her nuts, and they completely depend on her. The pressures of being a parent simply get too much sometimes, so it's understandable that sometimes Frankie just needs a little break. That and added with her being totally embarrassed about the whole toe nail incident, and you can see why she needed to flee to recover.

It's so interesting to see Frankie's thought process. During the episode she fixates on some old high school friend which she believes has everything going for her. She's a bit jealous, and a bit annoyed that her life isn't going the way she had thought. She can forget that being a parent, heck being human, doesn't just come with good experiences. It comes with bad ones as well. Her mom somewhat helps her get over her funk. Her mom tells her that yes, she will be embarrassed. But she will also have moments that will make her happy.

While Frankie deals with trying to overcome her troubles, the kids are left at home. Axl just cares about his hat, Sue really misses her, and Brick is fixated on a catalog. As the episode goes on, they all realize that their part of the reason Frankie left. They don't do any of the chores their supposed to, they tend to make Frankie angry, and they never tell her that they love her. They decide they have to change but aren't exactly sure how (they don't want to put in any extra work).

The Middle had an episode that was both funny, but at the same time a great character study. This show really isn't just about the family, but the impact the family has on Frankie. Sometimes she just can't handle it. She may love them, but everything can add up. It ends in a cynical tone, that one day she'll miss part of her life. Parenthood is hard, but it's worth it-that's what the episode was all about. And it was very well done.