Ep 9. The Christmas Tree

The Middle season 5 episode 9, titled "The Christmas Tree," follows the Heck family as they navigate the holiday season. Frankie (Patricia Heaton) is determined to decorate the perfect Christmas tree, but her plans are thwarted when her husband Mike (Neil Flynn) brings home a scraggly tree from the lot. Meanwhile, Axl (Charlie McDermott) is struggling to find the perfect gift for his girlfriend, Sue (Eden Sher) is planning a secret gift for her parents, and Brick (Atticus Shaffer) is convinced that he's on Santa's naughty list.

As the family prepares for Christmas, tensions rise as they try to make everything perfect. Frankie becomes obsessed with putting up all the decorations, even as Mike argues that they should scale back this year. Axl is overwhelmed by the pressure to find a gift that will impress his girlfriend, while Sue is determined to keep her secret present a surprise. And Brick's anxiety over his perceived misdeeds threatens to ruin the holiday for everyone.

Despite the challenges, the Heck family manages to come together for a heartwarming Christmas celebration. Along the way, they learn the true meaning of the holiday: not perfection, but love and togetherness. The Christmas Tree is a heartwarming and hilarious episode of The Middle, filled with relatable moments and plenty of holiday cheer.