What’s Worth Watching: Hecks on a Train on The Middle

The Middle
Michael Ansell/ABC
The Middle

The Middle, “Hecks on a Train” (Wednesday, Feb. 4, 8/7c, ABC)

Four years ago on The Middle, the Heck family took their first family plane trip when daughter Sue (Eden Sher) won a free vacation to New York City. It was a bumpy ride. So when spunky Aunt Edie (Jeanette Miller) shuffles off this mortal coil tonight (signature cigarette in hand, we hope), not everyone’s thrilled about the spontaneous vacation that ensues as the Hecks transport her body from Indiana to South Dakota the way nature intended: on a train. Son Axl (Charlie McDermott) thinks he killed Edie (he didn’t). Daughter Sue (Eden Sher) must finish her college applications en route. Frankie (Patricia Heaton) naively buys dining car chicken wings. It’s a learning journey for all—but especially nerdy Brick (Atticus Shaffer), who discovers a psychological trick for making friends that actually works. The lonely might want to take notes.