Ep 20. The Optimist

The Middle season 5 episode 20 titled "The Optimist" follows the Heck family as they try to navigate through some stressful and uncertain situations. Sue is preparing for her high school graduation and is trying to stay positive despite facing rejection letters from every college she has applied to. Meanwhile, Brick is having trouble adjusting to his new school and is feeling overwhelmed by the workload. He seeks advice from Axl who encourages him to try his best and not worry too much about getting perfect grades.

Frankie, the matriarch of the family, has her own set of problems to deal with. She is feeling overwhelmed with her job at the dental office, which is causing her to neglect some of her duties at home. To make matters worse, she is having trouble communicating with Mike, her husband, and the father of her three children. They are both feeling the strain of their busy schedules and are struggling to find time to spend together as a couple.

Despite these challenges, the family tries to stay optimistic and supportive of one another. Axl, who is usually the least sentimental member of the family, surprises everyone by giving Sue a heartfelt speech at her graduation ceremony. He tells her that even though she is facing obstacles right now, she has a bright future ahead of her and will accomplish great things in life.

Meanwhile, Frankie decides to take a break from her job to focus on her family. She realizes that she has been neglecting her duties at home and wants to make things right. She spends quality time with each of her children, cooking dinner together and taking them on fun outings. She also makes a point to spend time with Mike, working together to solve their communication problems and remind each other of the reasons why they fell in love in the first place.

The episode closes with the family gathered together, celebrating Sue's graduation and looking forward to the future. Despite facing challenges and uncertain times, they are determined to stay positive and support one another through thick and thin.

Overall, "The Optimist" is a heartwarming episode that reminds viewers of the importance of staying optimistic and supportive of loved ones, even in the face of adversity. It showcases the strengths and struggles of a typical American family and highlights the power of love and teamwork in overcoming challenges.