Ep 10. Sleepless in Orson

The Middle season 5 episode 10, "Sleepless in Orson," follows the Heck family as they try to deal with a series of sleepless nights. It all starts when Frankie, the matriarch of the family, can't sleep one night and decides to clean the house. Her husband Mike tries to help her relax, but their attempts to get some shut-eye are in vain.

Meanwhile, their two teenage children, Axl and Sue, are also struggling with insomnia. Axl can't focus on his schoolwork and starts falling asleep in class, while Sue becomes obsessed with trying to figure out why she can't sleep. She enlists the help of her friend Brad, who suggests they try to stay awake all night to tire themselves out.

As the nights go on, the entire family becomes more and more exhausted. Frankie starts hallucinating and thinks their pet dog is talking to her, while Mike's grumpiness reaches an all-time high. Axl and Sue's sleepless antics start to affect their relationships at school, with Axl getting into a fight and Sue causing a scene at a school dance.

In a last-ditch effort to get some rest, Frankie takes sleeping pills and ends up sleepwalking around the house. Mike, Axl, and Sue have to work together to keep her safe and try to get her back to bed.

"Sleepless in Orson" is a humorous yet relatable episode that showcases the struggles that come with a lack of sleep. From the comical hallucinations to the teenage shenanigans, the episode captures the exhaustion of the Heck family in a lighthearted way. It also highlights the importance of taking care of oneself and seeking help when needed. With its witty writing and fantastic cast, "Sleepless in Orson" is an episode that fans of The Middle won't want to miss.