Ep 1. The Drop Off

The Drop Off is the first episode of the fifth season of the popular family sitcom, The Middle. The episode begins with the start of a new school year, which means it's time for the Heck family to get back into their school routine and all the chaos that comes with it. It's also the first time that the youngest son, Brick, will be starting middle school, and his parents, Frankie and Mike, are worried about the transition.

As the Heck family prepares for the first day of school, Frankie is tasked with dropping off all three of her kids – Axl, Sue and Brick – at their respective schools. She's stressed out and overwhelmed, trying to make sure that everyone's needs are met. Axl, the oldest, is heading off to high school, and Frankie is worried that he'll struggle with the transition. Sue, the middle child, is eager to start her sophomore year of high school and is determined to fit in better than she did last year.

Despite Frankie's best efforts to keep everything running smoothly, things quickly start to go wrong. Axl can't find his phone, Sue's shoe breaks, and Brick discovers that he's lost his backpack. Frankie is forced to improvise, making last-minute stops to buy new shoes and a new backpack for Brick. Meanwhile, Mike is at home dealing with his own set of problems, trying to fix the family car before heading out to work.

As the day goes on, the stress starts to take its toll on Frankie. She's exhausted and overwhelmed, to the point where she starts to snap at her kids. They all sense her frustration and try their best to help her out, but it only seems to make things worse. When they finally make it home, Frankie is relieved that the day is over, but she can't shake the feeling that something's off.

It's not until she runs into a neighbor, who tells her that she saw Axl walking around the parking lot of the local fast-food joint during school hours, that Frankie realizes what's been bothering her. She confronts Axl, who admits that he skipped his first class of the day in order to get breakfast with his friends. Frankie is furious and disappointed, feeling like she's failed as a parent.

The episode ends with Frankie and Axl having a heart-to-heart talk, where he tells her that he wants to make his own decisions and that he's growing up. Frankie realizes that she needs to start letting go and allowing her kids to make their own mistakes, even if it's hard for her to do so.

Overall, The Drop Off is a classic episode of The Middle, showcasing the struggles and chaos that comes with the start of a new school year. The episode is relatable and funny, with plenty of heartwarming moments and valuable life lessons.