Last road trip
Heck family bids farewell in heartwarming ‘Middle’ finale
Every happy ending is a beginning. That’s something the creators of ABC’s “The Middle” want you to know tonight.
The underrated sitcom ends its nine-season run with a one-hour episode in which the Hecks of Indiana take one last road trip. It’s a story that draws on the show’s history to bid farewell to this sweet, spirited, financially challenged but never down-and-out family.
Of course, “The Middle” wasn’t exactly a high-risk gamble when it premiered in 2009, not with comedy veterans Patricia Heaton, an Emmy winner for “Everybody Loves Raymond,” as frazzled, career-challenged Frankie Heck, and Neil Flynn, coming off a long run as the janitor on “Scrubs,” as her stolid mate Mike, the manager of a quarry.
But for the three wee Hecks, the producers accomplished something radical: They cast performers not because they were adorable moppets who could mug for the camera, but because they were talented players who could more than hold their own. One of the greatest pleasures of the series has come from watching this trio — Charlie McDermott as not-so-bright oldest son Axl, Eden Sher as the ever peppy daughter Sue and Atticus Shaffer as the oddball youngest child, Brick — create such delightfully oddball teens.
Tonight’s finale picks up from last week’s episode — in pitch darkness — in Frankie and Mike’s bedroom, after Axl has told them he has accepted a job in Denver, and so will be moving far from home.
Frankie cries, and you know it’s serious because she pulls out her secret stash of cookies.
Mike wants to comfort his wife, but he doesn’t know if she wants a hug or if he can go watch ESPN. Axl is irritated by his siblings’ reactions to his news. Brick calmly reaches for the measuring tape and wonders how soon Axl can move his bed out of their room. Sue just wants a real bro moment.
Frankie slaps on a happy face, figuring if she reveals how she really feels, Axl will never come home for a visit.
Announcing a road trip to help him move, Frankie says, “We’re all going as a family to kick your brother out of the nest.”
The family’s data plan is almost out for the month, and that leads to an epic meltdown and some sweet truths about the bonds of family.
Several familiar faces pop up — honestly, I would have been sore if Sue’s gay BFF Brad (Brock Ciarlelli) didn’t make an appearance — and there’s at least one swerve you might not be expecting.
If you’ve wondered how the Heck kids turn out, this show is already ahead of you.
I’m not crying, you’re crying.
If you need more reminders of how good “The Middle” is, check out Freeform’s mini“Middle” marathon of the cast’s favorite episodes today from 1 to 6 p.m. Freeform’s press release repeatedly misspells Neil Flynn’s name as Neil Finn. The Hecks would totally understand.
— mark.perigard@bostonherald.com