Ep 17. The Walk

The Middle season 5 episode 17, titled "The Walk," follows the Heck family as they attempt to complete a charity walk to benefit breast cancer research. The episode begins with Frankie (Patricia Heaton) signing herself and her family up for the charity walk after receiving a flyer in the mail. Excited at the prospect of doing something good for others, the Hecks quickly get to work on their training regimen, which consists of walking around their neighborhood.

As the day of the walk approaches, tensions rise between members of the family. Mike (Neil Flynn) becomes irritated at Frankie for not taking the walk seriously, while Axl (Charlie McDermott) and Sue (Eden Sher) argue over who will get to walk with their crush, Sean Donahue (Beau Wirick). Meanwhile, Brick (Atticus Shaffer) struggles with his own anxieties about the walk and worries that his family won't be able to complete it.

Despite these challenges, the Heck family sets out on the charity walk with high hopes. However, as they begin to make their way through the course, they quickly realize that the walk is much more difficult than they had anticipated. Frankie becomes exhausted and starts lagging behind the rest of the family, while Mike's frustration starts to boil over.

As they walk, the family members begin to bond over their shared struggles. Axl and Sue both get the chance to walk with Sean, but quickly realize that their crushes aren't as perfect as they had imagined. Meanwhile, Brick finds a new source of strength in the form of a group of elderly women walking alongside him.

Despite the challenges they face, the Heck family eventually makes it to the finish line. Overjoyed at their accomplishment, they realize that the walk wasn't just about raising money for a good cause, but about coming together as a family and supporting each other through the ups and downs of life.

Overall, "The Walk" is a heartwarming episode of The Middle that showcases the importance of family, community, and perseverance in the face of adversity. With plenty of laughs, tears, and poignant moments, this episode is sure to resonate with viewers of all ages and backgrounds.