Ep 19. The Final Four

The Middle season 1 episode 19 "The Final Four" kicks off with a bang as the Heck family finds themselves in the middle of a fierce debate. As Frankie, Mike, and the kids try to decide on the final four basketball teams for their March Madness pool, they quickly realize that everyone has their own opinions and strategies. Frankie favors picking the teams based on their mascots, while Mike leans towards analytics and statistics. Meanwhile, Axl and Sue have their own reasons for picking their favorite teams, and Brick just wants to collect all the different colored highlighters to color-code his bracket.

As the family gets increasingly invested in their picks, tensions rise as they try to outsmart each other and claim victory in the pool. But the real drama comes when Frankie discovers that she accidentally filled out two brackets with different teams, and has to decide which one to use. With the help of her family (and a little bit of whiskey), she ultimately makes a choice that could make or break her chances of winning.

However, the basketball pool isn't the only source of stress in the Heck household. Axl is struggling with a difficult decision about whether or not to break up with his girlfriend, Morgan. He's worried that he's not ready for a serious relationship and wants to focus on basketball, but he doesn't want to hurt her feelings. Meanwhile, Sue is battling insecurities about her own love life and wonders if she'll ever find a boyfriend.

Despite their own personal problems, the Heck family comes together to support each other and enjoy the excitement of March Madness. Along the way, they learn some valuable lessons about teamwork, competition, and the importance of family.

Overall, "The Final Four" is a fun and heartwarming episode that captures the spirit of March Madness and the unique dynamics of the Heck family. With plenty of laughs and touching moments, it's a great example of why The Middle was such a beloved sitcom.