Ep 7. The Scratch

The Middle season 1 episode 7, titled "The Scratch," follows the daily chaos of the Heck family as they juggle work, school, and personal lives in their small town in Indiana. In this episode, the Heck children - Axl, Sue, and Brick - are all dealing with their own separate problems.

Axl is preparing for a major football game against their school's biggest rival. Meanwhile, Sue is struggling to impress her peers with her saxophone playing skills for the upcoming school concert. In the midst of this, Brick discovers a mysterious scratch on the family car and insists on finding the person responsible so they can be punished.

Throughout the episode, the family deals with these issues as well as their own personal responsibilities, such as Frankie's job at the car dealership and Mike's work as a quarry manager. Along the way, they run into various obstacles and disagreements but ultimately come together as a family to support each other through their individual struggles.

As the football game approaches, Axl feels mounting pressure to perform well and help his team win. Sue continues to practice her saxophone but struggles with the fact that her peers are not taking her seriously. Meanwhile, Brick becomes increasingly obsessed with finding the person responsible for the scratch on the family car, growing more and more frustrated as he cannot pinpoint who did it.

Despite their individual challenges, the family remains supportive of each other. Frankie takes time off work to attend Axl's game, while Mike helps Sue with her saxophone playing. Even when things don't go as planned, like when Brick mistakenly accuses his father of scratching the car, they keep pushing forward as a family.

In the end, the family rallies together to support Axl during the big game, which serves as a symbol of their unity and love for each other. Although the outcome of the game is not what was hoped for, the family learns important lessons about perseverance and teamwork. Additionally, Sue's saxophone performance is met with an unexpected surprise, and Brick learns a valuable lesson about forgiveness.

Overall, "The Scratch" is a heartwarming episode that showcases the struggles and triumphs of a typical American family. The Heck family's relatable experiences and humorous interactions make for an enjoyable viewing experience.