Ep 17. The Name

The Middle season 4 episode 17, titled "The Name," follows the Heck family as they attempt to fulfill Brick's dream of getting a book published. Brick's latest story, entitled "Planet Nowhere," has garnered some attention from publishers, but they want him to use a pseudonym that will appeal more to young readers. The Hecks struggle with picking the right name as they want it to capture Brick's unique personality and style. Meanwhile, Axl is bummed out when his college roommate moves out, but things start to look up when he discovers his new roommate is a beautiful girl named Cassidy. However, when Sue discovers that Cassidy is also a member of the wrestling team, Axl worries that she might be too much for him to handle.

As the episode progresses, the family becomes more invested in Brick's book, leading to some amusing antics. They come up with a list of potential pseudonyms for Brick, including names like "Darryl Diamond" and "Blaze Damage," but none of them seem to fit quite right. Axl and Cassidy's living situation hits a snag when she announces that she has a boyfriend, leaving Axl feeling disappointed and rejected. Sue, however, encourages him to keep his chin up and remain optimistic.

In the end, the Hecks discover that the perfect pseudonym for Brick might have been right in front of them the whole time. They settle on the name "Brandon Bobeck," a combination of Brick's first and middle names. The publishers love it, and they agree to publish Brick's book under that name. Axl also gets some good news when Cassidy confesses that she doesn't actually have a boyfriend, and the two decide to work things out and continue living together.

Overall, "The Name" is an entertaining episode that showcases the different personalities within the Heck family. It deals with themes of identity and self-expression in a lighthearted way, and the performances from the cast are top-notch as always. Fans of The Middle will appreciate the episode's quirky humor and heartwarming moments.