The Best Episodes of 'The Middle'

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Updated May 23, 2024 82 items
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In the vast and dynamic world of television, The Middle holds a distinguished position with its memorable narrative and engaging characters. Known for its unique blend of comedy and drama, this popular sitcom captures the trials and tribulations of a middle-class family living in the small town of Orson, Indiana. Take a stroll down memory lane, and revisit a quintessential American family. 

This series is renowned for entertaining and groundbreaking narratives, delivering myriad stories that engage the audience. Every episode is meticulously crafted to portray the Heck family's always amusing, and - at times - profound experiences. Featuring excellent scripts and stellar performances, each of the best episodes of The Middle provide the depth and inclusiveness you would expect from such a high-rated show.  

Take, for instance, "Wheel of Pain," an episode that wonderfully showcases how the Hecks navigate the complexities of parenting and discipline. Or consider "The Wonderful World of Hecks," which narrates the family's attempt at a joyful Disney World trip loaded with unpredicted obstacles. Then there's "The Graduate," detailing Sue Heck's graduation while highlighting the Heck family's tendency to turn even the simplest occasions into chaotic affairs. Each episode showcases the series' ability to make ordinary events extraordinary.

The Middle has garnered praises for its narrative prowess, but the heart of its popularity lies in its emotionally charged episodes and relatable characters. The rich texture of the narratives, the diversity of the characters, and the humor embedded in day-to-day scenarios make it a must-watch for anyone who appreciates quality television. So, get ready to immerse oneself into the fascinating and humorous world of the Hecks as they strive to navigate life in the middle of America. 

Most divisive: Meet the Parents
Over 400 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best Episodes of 'The Middle'
  • Last Whiff of Summer Part 1 & Part 2
    1

    Last Whiff of Summer Part 1 & Part 2

    115 votes
    Season 4 Episode 1: On the season premiere, the Heck’s summer includes Axl in summer school, Brick growing a giant tomato, Sue bonding with Mike… and Mike choosing his favorite child!
  • The Wonderful World of Hecks
    2

    The Wonderful World of Hecks

    115 votes
    Season 5 Episode 24: In the second part of the two-part season finale, the Hecks arrive at Walt Disney World and attempt to stay positive, despite a barrage of mishaps that threaten to ruin their trip.
  • Wheel of Pain
    3

    Wheel of Pain

    120 votes
    Season 4 Episode 16: Frankie and Mike try to get the kids to confess to a transgression by spinning the “wheel of pain,” that’s filled with consequences, putting Sue’s “Sue-weet 16” Party at risk.
  • Life Skills
    4

    Life Skills

    49 votes
    Season 4 Episode 10: Axl is mortified when he is assigned to be Sue’s partner on a “Life Skills” project at school; while Brick’s school therapist (DAVE FOLEY) attempts to teach him how to make friends.
  • The Graduate
    5

    The Graduate

    105 votes
    Season 6 Episode 24: Unforeseen events threaten to ruin Sue's graduation, while Brick is offered the chance to skip a grade, and Axl worries that his girlfriend might be over him in the season finale.
  • One Kid at a Time
    6

    One Kid at a Time

    88 votes
    Season 4 Episode 11: Feeling guilty over not being able to spend enough quality time with each of their kids, Frankie and Mike decide to dedicate each day of a three-day weekend to Axl, Sue and Brick.
  • The Christmas Tree
    7

    The Christmas Tree

    61 votes
    Season 5 Episode 9: Home from college, Axl would rather spend his Christmas vacation with his friends vs. his family; while Sue's allergic reaction to the Christmas tree threatens to ruin her holiday.
  • A Simple Christmas
    8

    A Simple Christmas

    67 votes
    Season 2 Episode 10: Frankie's plans to have a simple holiday are threatened when her parents (guest stars MARSHA MASON & JERRY VAN DYKE) come to town to spend the 12 days of Christmas with the family.
  • Winners and Losers
    9

    Winners and Losers

    23 votes
    Season 4 Episode 15: Frankie frets when Brick informs her of his three-day school bus trip to Chicago, while Sue tries to find out if Axl’s friend, Darrin (JOHN GAMMON) has actual feelings for her.
  • The Show Must Go On
    10

    The Show Must Go On

    76 votes
    Season 7 Episode 24: On the 7th season finale, Frankie's on a mission to ensure Brick sings a song at his middle school graduation, while Axl finds himself being mocked by a 10-year-old copy of himself.
  • Halloween III: The Driving
    11

    Halloween III: The Driving

    31 votes
    Season 4 Episode 5: Halloween scares the heck out of the Hecks when Sue tries to drive for the first time; Axl gets to vote in his first election; and Brick eats too much candy.
  • The Sit Down
    12

    The Sit Down

    34 votes
    Season 3 Episode 16: Axl, Sue and Brick call a sit down meeting with Frankie and Mike and ask to be given the chance to do what they're supposed to do – without being harassed by their parents.
  • Taking Back The House
    13

    Taking Back The House

    94 votes
    Season 2 Episode 11: Frankie and Mike decide it's time to regain control over their lives and the Heck household after years of bing at their kids' beck and call.
  • Major Changes
    14

    Major Changes

    53 votes
    Season 3 Episode 3: Frankie demands major changes be made to every aspect of the Heck household – then flees to her mother's (MARSHA MASON) house – after she is humiliated by a family member's actions.
  • Thanksgiving V
    15

    Thanksgiving V

    38 votes
    Season 5 Episode 7: Frankie's parents - along with some uninvited guests - show up for Thanksgiving dinner; while Axl tries to find the perfect time to tell his parents some bad news.
  • A Birthday Story
    16

    A Birthday Story

    21 votes
    Season 2 Episode 7: For his birthday present, Brick demands that Frankie and Mike tell him the true story about the day he was born - which has always remained a Heck family secret.
  • The Royal Wedding
    17

    The Royal Wedding

    50 votes
    Season 2 Episode 20: Obsessed with the upcoming royal wedding, Frankie shocks her family when she treats the event like the Super Bowl and begins purchasing commemorative "tchotchkes" -- as well as an expensive HDTV -- to enjoy the festivities.
  • Year of The Hecks
    18

    Year of The Hecks

    36 votes
    Season 3 Episode 11: Frankie decides that each Heck family member will be assigned a New Year's resolution anonymously, after realizing that no one follows through on their yearly promises.
  • Orlando
    19

    Orlando

    61 votes
    Season 5 Episode 23: In the first part of a two-part season finale, Sue counts down the days until the family departs on their road trip to Disney World, while Axl anxiously awaits his grades.
  • The Front Door
    20

    The Front Door

    38 votes
    Season 1 Episode 6: Mike insists that only Axl fix the front door after he knocks it down; Frankie must sell a car within a week; and its school picture time for a photographically challenged Sue.
  • Not Your Brother's Drop Off
    21

    Not Your Brother's Drop Off

    42 votes
    Season 7 Episode 1: Sue and Brick have to scramble to catch up when Frankie discovers that they missed the first day of school. And Sue finally gets her braces off on the sixth season premiere.
  • Christmas
    22

    Christmas

    53 votes
    Season 1 Episode 10: Rehearsing for the church's midnight mass, Frankie becomes jealous when it seems that Mike is doing a better job at organizing the Heck family Christmas than she would have done.
  • Hecks on a Plane
    23

    Hecks on a Plane

    57 votes
    Season 2 Episode 16: After Sue wins a family trip to New York, Murphy's Law goes into full effect and it's anything but a smooth flight, when the Hecks board a plane and fly to the Big Apple.
  • Hecks on a Hard Body
    24

    Hecks on a Hard Body

    17 votes
    Season 5 Episode 22: Sue enters a "Hands on a Hard Body" contest to try to win a car, while Mike and his wayward brother Rusty (NORM MACDONALD) take a road trip with Brick to a Chicago spelling bee.
  • The Wisdom Teeth
    25

    The Wisdom Teeth

    47 votes
    Season 7 Episode 17: An excited Frankie looks forward to re-bonding and taking care of Sue and Axl, who both have to stay home during Spring Break to recuperate from having their wisdom teeth removed.
  • Hecking Order
    26

    Hecking Order

    22 votes
    Season 3 Episode 2: Axl plays a trick on Sue that gets her into trouble in school, while Mike meets with Brick's new fourth grade teacher (CHORD OVERSTREET) to find out why he's allowed to skip gym.
  • Homecoming
    27

    Homecoming

    16 votes
    Season 2 Episode 2: Frankie and Mike must choose which of them is going to proudly walk Axl onto the field at Homecoming...or wait for Sue to stagger over the finish line at her first cross-country meet.
  • Thanksgiving
    28

    Thanksgiving

    22 votes
    Season 1 Episode 8: Frankie's dream of the perfect Thanksgiving turns into a nightmare when Mr. Ehlert forces the staff to work on the holiday - and Axl loses Brick in a corn maze.
  • The Map
    29

    The Map

    8 votes
    Season 3 Episode 12: Frankie vows to celebrate all of the family's important life milestones after attending Aunt Ginny's funeral; Axl accidentally eats Brick's Indiana dough school map project.
  • Roadkill
    30

    Roadkill

    46 votes
    Season 8 Episode 5: Frankie and Mike (NEIL FLYNN) are alarmed to discover that it’s time to teach Brick how to drive; while Sue frets over choosing her major, she learns a shocking secret from Frankie.