It’s hard to believe that the Heck’s have been part of our lives for nine years. Where has the time gone? But this season, we go into it knowing that goodbye is imminent. For this, dear viewers, is the final season of The Middle, which is ending at the request of the creators.
In the final season premiere, summer is almost over. Sue spent the whole time working at the baked potato stand in the mall and is determined to cram as much fun into her final two days before going back to school. Brick is ready for his sophomore year and has the misunderstanding that sophomore year is universally the best year of high school. And Axel has returned from his summer in Europe, which turned him into a man-bun wearing pretentious snob.
The town of Orson is asking all of its residents to fill a small box with items that represent their family and Frankie really wants the family to participate. In the midst of everything, she just wants to unite her family for a quality moment they will remember forever. But this is The Middle and these are the Hecks.
One of the recurring themes in the season 9 premiere is that Frankie wants the Hecks to be remembered for something. She doesn’t want history to forget about them, an incredibly meta statement. But after this ninth season, there will have been over 200 episodes of the Hecks representing middle America on television in a way that few other shows have been able to do.
The Middle and Modern Family both debuted the same season in 2009 and made Wednesdays the best night for comedy in modern television history. Oddly enough, The Middle is being bumped to Tuesdays this season, but I look at it as a good sign. The network is trying to make Tuesday another solid night of comedy and it makes complete sense to move a well-established show like this (and Blackish) to boost ratings for new comedies like The Mayor.
One thing is clear; whatever series tries to take The Middle’s place next season has some very big shoes to fill. So lets unite as fans and make this final season count. If the premiere is any indication, the writers are very determined to make sure the Hecks have a seat at the table along with the most beloved TV families of all time. Move over Tanners, Arnolds, and Bradys, the Hecks are coming to dinner.