Ep 15. The Concert

In The Middle season 3 episode 15 titled "The Concert," the Heck family gears up for a night out at a rock concert. Brick, Frankie's youngest child, is thrilled to go to his first ever concert. However, the excitement diminishes when Frankie and Mike have an argument over who takes Brick, and the two end up going separately. Meanwhile, Axl persuades Sue to ditch her plans of attending the concert to wait in line all night to buy a limited edition replica of Indiana Jones' whip, and Mike and Frankie have to figure out a way to prevent Brick from hearing a curse word at the concert.

As they make their way to the arena, Frankie and Mike continue to argue over who gets Brick. They ultimately decide to let him choose, and he chooses Mike since he promised to buy him a giant pretzel. On the other hand, Axl convinces Sue that the replica of Indiana Jones' whip is a better investment than the concert, and they spend the night waiting in line. At the concert, Mike tries to shield Brick from the profanity-laden crowd, but the efforts prove to be futile when a band member says a curse word on stage. To top it off, the giant pretzel ends up being more than Mike bargained for, and he is forced to share it with the other concert-goers.

Meanwhile, Frankie realizes that her son is growing up and is no longer interested in spending time with her, a thought that does not sit well with her. She decides to show up at the line where Axl and Sue are waiting, hoping to bond with them. However, when she sees the dedication Sue and Axl have for the line and for their passions, she realizes that they no longer need her as much as they once did, and she is okay with that.

"The Concert" is a touching episode that explores the complicated relationship between parent and child as they navigate the tumultuous waters of adolescence. The subplot of Axl and Sue waiting in line for the Indiana Jones' whip adds a comedic touch to the episode and showcases the lengths people will go to for their passions. Despite the initial argument between Frankie and Mike, their love for their children ultimately shines through, and they do what they can to ensure Brick has a good time at the concert. Overall, "The Concert" is an enjoyable episode that viewers of all ages can appreciate.