Ep 18. The Smell

The Middle season 5 episode 18 "The Smell" revolves around the Heck family dealing with a strange and unpleasant odor in their home. The episode opens with a typical morning in the Heck household as Frankie (played by Patricia Heaton) wakes up and begins preparing breakfast for her family. However, the morning routine is disrupted when Frankie smells an unpleasant odor coming from somewhere in the house. She enlists the help of her husband Mike (played by Neil Flynn) to track down the source of the smell.

As the episode progresses, the Heck family becomes increasingly fixated on the odor, with each family member becoming increasingly disgusted and frustrated. Brick (played by Atticus Shaffer) becomes obsessed with identifying the odor and even creates a "smell journal" to document its appearance in different parts of the house. Meanwhile, Axl (played by Charlie McDermott) and Sue (played by Eden Sher) refuse to come home until the smell is gone.

Frankie and Mike's attempts to identify the source of the smell take them on a wild goose chase around the house. They search every nook and cranny, including the vents, basement, and even the refrigerator, but come up empty-handed. Along the way, they interact with a range of quirky characters, including a nosy neighbor and a delivery man with a strange sense of humor.

As the day wears on and the smell persists, tensions come to a head as the family vents their frustrations at each other. However, in a heartwarming moment, they come together to solve the problem and bring the family back to harmony. The episode ends with the family enjoying a meal together, free from the stench that had threatened to tear them apart.

Overall, The Middle season 5 episode 18 "The Smell" is a lighthearted and humorous episode that showcases the quirks and struggles of the Heck family. While the central plotline of the smell may seem trivial, it allows the writers to explore the unique dynamics and personalities of each character while also highlighting the importance of family and teamwork in overcoming challenges. Fans of the series will enjoy seeing their favorite characters in action once again and may even relate to the all-too-familiar struggle of trying to eliminate a mysterious odor in their own homes.