Ep 2. The Cheerleader

The Middle season 1 episode 2, titled "The Cheerleader," follows the Heck family as they navigate the challenges of being a middle-class family in rural Indiana. The episode focuses on the family's eldest child, Axl, who is a member of the high school football team.

Axl's younger sister, Sue, desperately wants to become a cheerleader and attempts to join the squad with her friend, Brad. However, they are quickly rejected by the cheerleading coach, who tells them that they don't have what it takes to be cheerleaders.

Meanwhile, Axl is trying to impress his ex-girlfriend, Morgan, who is now a cheerleader. He recruits his younger brother, Brick, to help him study for a biology test so that he can impress Morgan with his intelligence. However, Brick's odd study habits and Axl's lack of interest in school make for a challenging study session.

As the episode progresses, Sue becomes more determined to become a cheerleader and enlists the help of her mom, Frankie, to teach her some moves. However, Frankie quickly realizes that she's not cut out for cheerleading and ends up injuring herself in the process.

In the end, Axl and Brick's study session doesn't go as planned, but Axl still manages to impress Morgan with his charm and athleticism. Sue, on the other hand, comes up with a plan to impress the cheerleading coach by performing a series of stunts on her own. Her determination pays off, and she is finally accepted onto the cheerleading squad.

Overall, "The Cheerleader" is a lighthearted and humorous episode that highlights the challenges of adolescence and the importance of perseverance. Through the Heck family's various struggles, the show manages to capture the humor and heart of everyday family life.