Expect a Bumpy Heck Family Road Trip on ‘The Middle’ Series Finale
The saddest thing about having a middle is there’s also an end. But after nine seasons, at least this beloved sitcom about Orson, Indiana’s cash-poor, hilarity-rich Heck clan is having a good one.
“Our finale is in very typical Middle fashion where there’s a Heck family road trip,” says Atticus Shaffer, who plays youngest son Brick.
That, of course, means lots of bumps in the road — in this particular case, an ill-advised stop for fresh peaches, a swarm of bees in the car, data overages on the family phone plan, a low-speed vehicle chase and a broken snow globe.
The series ender also includes a final outing to Orson’s Frugal Hoosier cut-price grocery store (for free boxes), a declaration of love, one last song from Rev. Tim Tom (Paul Hipp) and mom Frankie (Patricia Heaton) coping with stress her usual way, by getting high on sugar. Yet rather than the usual can of frosting, she opts for off-brand Oreos.
“This season has been about letting go,” Heaton says, “but for Frankie and husband Mike [Neil Flynn], the last episode is about them dealing with big changes in the family dynamic. In this way, Frankie isn’t different from the pilot. She’s always trying to be the best mom possible — and always failing.”
To ease their own major life change (ending a show after so long is a big deal!), the cast and crew didn’t rely on sugar. (Though they did eat barbecue.) Instead, many took home personal memorabilia.
For Flynn, it was Mike’s plaid shirts. Charlie McDermott (oldest son Axl) grabbed his character’s jacket. Shaffer wanted Brick’s final costume. Co-creator DeAnn Heline took the huge polyurethane cow that was Orson’s claim to fame. Eden Sher (middle kid Sue) prefers to keep her treasure secret.
And Heaton opted out. “Have you seen their junky, tattered house?” she says. “It should all stay there on set!”
The Middle, Series Finale, Tuesday, May 22, 8:30/7:30c, ABC
Conversation10 Comments
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One of TV's finest shows ending on what looks like will be on the right note. The show has had 9 amazing seasons and showed no signs of slowing down - if they show had continues I know it still would be amazing. But I think its the right time to end the series - the children have grown and we have watched them grow so much. This will be like losing a member of your own family. It will be heart-wrenching and in no way am I ready to say goodbye.
But at the finale title says it has been one 'Heck of a Ride'.
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C
Love this show, so relate-able to my family. I bawled my eyes out when Frankie finally lost it while on the road trip to drop Axel off in Denver and she said ,"nothing will ever be the same" I had the same exact moment with my son when he moved out. So sad this show is over. Thank god for reruns.
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B
I am so going to miss this series!!!
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O
Definitley....It was the closest show portraying real every day life. Wish it would have gone on a little while longer.
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B
Very bothered about the ending of one of the real shows on TV today,because it didn't have killings,and sex
Its off...shame on the producers3
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C
I don't think the final season did the series justice. Based on how it didn't tie up things so well the show could have gone on one more season.
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R
Thanks for the article! I'm going to miss this show!
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O
Why did Eden Sher keep her take home secret?
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R
She was probably joking with the interviewer. I've seen other articles where it mentions that she took one of Sue's inspirational posters.
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O
I am going to miss the Heck family! It was a funny show, from Frankie's run in with neighbor Rita to Sue's try outs for every school club under the sun. Plus nobody knowing who she was.
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