Ep 17. Leap Year

In the season 3 episode 17 of The Middle titled "Leap Year," the Heck family is excitedly planning for Leap Day, a special day that only occurs once every four years. The episode revolves around the various plans, surprises, and misadventures that the Heck family experiences on this unique day.

The episode begins with Frankie, the mom of the family, excitedly preparing for Leap Day, which is a day where people have the opportunity to do something they've always wanted or take a leap of faith. She encourages her family to make the most of the day and take advantage of the extra 24 hours. However, her excitement is quickly dampened when she realizes that her husband Mike, played by Neil Flynn, has to work on Leap Day. Frankie decides to rally the family together and plan a surprise for Mike to make up for the day he has to spend at work.

Meanwhile, the three Heck children—Axl, Sue, and Brick—each have their own Leap Day plans. Axl hopes to find a way to make use of the extra day to stay up all night, while Sue plans on asking her crush to be her Leap Day date. Brick, on the other hand, decides to use Leap Day as an opportunity to finally confess his love to his friend Cindy, played by Casey Burke.

As the day progresses, each family member's plans take unexpected turns. Axl's plan to stay up all night goes awry when he falls asleep early, and Sue's attempt to ask her crush out is thwarted by a series of comedic mishaps. Brick's plan to confess his love to Cindy takes a surprising turn when he discovers that Cindy might not be the right match for him after all.

Meanwhile, Frankie's plans for Mike's surprise encounter a series of hurdles when she realizes that she has to coordinate with his coworkers to make it happen. Throughout the day, the Heck family also experiences a series of other surprises, including a visit from the mailman and a series of unexpected phone calls.

Despite the unexpected setbacks, the Heck family ultimately learns important lessons about taking risks and seizing the moment. "Leap Year" is a heartwarming episode that showcases the strength and resilience of the Heck family as they navigate through life's twists and turns. It's a reminder that even when plans fall through, taking a leap of faith can lead to unexpected surprises and moments of joy.

Overall, "Leap Year" is a charming and relatable episode of The Middle that captures the essence of family dynamics and the ups and downs of everyday life. Whether you're a fan of the show or a newcomer, this episode is sure to leave you feeling inspired and uplifted.