The Middle — Season 5
01 The Drop Off
Sep 25, 201321m★ 7.8
Frankie becomes emotional as the Hecks send Axl off to college, Sue waits for an important call from school, and Brick gets a new cell phone.
02 Change in the Air
Oct 2, 201321m★ 8.0
Mike tries to help after Frankie doesn't get a response to her texts to Axl, Sue gets an unexpected visit from Darrin, and Brick and his fellow classmates are afraid to use the school bathroom.
03 The Potato
Oct 9, 201321m★ 7.8
Axl is fed up with his college roommate, Sue gets a job so that she can get a car, and Frankie and Mike get bad news about Brick from his middle school principal.
04 The 100th
Oct 23, 201321m★ 7.8
During the Orson Centennial parade, Mike and Frankie volunteer to drive a float, Sue tries to make Darrin jealous, Axl tries to make some money, and Brick is upset over his town slogan not being chosen.
05 Halloween IV: The Ghost Story
Oct 30, 201321m★ 7.7
Sue holds a seance with her friends, the football team stops Axl from attending the Halloween party in his room, and the family tries to give Brick advice about girls.
06 The Jump
Nov 13, 201321m★ 7.2
Frankie rescues a lost dog and takes solace in the unconditional love she receives; Sue surprises her parents when she makes the volleyball team; Axl asks Brick for help with school.
07 Thanksgiving V
Nov 20, 201321m★ 7.0
Axl looks for the right time to share news about his college classes; Frankie's dad reveals a gambling loss; Sue hides a secret; Brick determines to have lime-green Jell-O salad on Thanksgiving.
08 The Kiss
Dec 4, 201321m★ 7.4
Mike and Frankie agree to house-sit for Frankie's sister in hope of having a romantic, kid-free weekend; Axl, Darrin and Sean go on a road trip.
09 The Christmas Tree
Dec 11, 201321m★ 6.8
Axl wants to spend time with his friends when he comes home for Christmas. Sue's allergies threaten to ruin her holiday and Brick's lie is uncovered.
10 Sleepless in Orson
Jan 8, 201421m★ 7.4
Frankie and Mike start to worry when Brick begins developing irrational fears. Sue is conflicted about Derrick Glossner's behavior. Axl and Sean shut down Darrin's attempt to start a Boss Co spinoff.
11 War of the Hecks
Jan 15, 201421m★ 7.2
Sue makes a discovery that leads to an ultimate prank battle with Axl; Brick tries to read a recommended biography on Debbie Reynolds.
12 The Carpool
Jan 22, 201421m★ 6.8
Principal Barker asks the parents to form carpools while the bus drivers are on strike; Axl becomes an astronomy expert so he can tutor an attractive student; Mike receives two tickets to a basketball game.
13 Hungry Games
Feb 5, 201421m★ 8.2
Reverend Deveaux interferes with the Hecks' plan to use their coupon for an all-you-can-eat buffet after church.
14 The Award
Feb 26, 201421m★ 8.0
Frankie tries to persuade Mike to attend a dinner honoring his dedicated service at the quarry; Sue forms a plan to build connections between students; Axl hopes to track down a girl who left a message on his phone.
15 Vacation Days
Mar 5, 201421m★ 7.0
Brick makes it hard for Mike to relax during the vacation he was forced to take; Frankie is furious when she learns that Axl was in town without letting her know; Sue tries extra hard to please her customers after receiving a bad review.
16 Stormy Moon
Mar 12, 201421m★ 7.8
When Frankie is arrested over an unreturned library book, she thinks Brick is at fault; Cassidy and Axl are reunited during spring break.
17 The Walk
Mar 26, 201421m★ 8.0
Frankie and Mike run into old acquaintances, Sue gets several dates to the prom, and Brick gets Axl's help for a book report.
18 The Smell
Apr 2, 201421m★ 8.0
Bill backs out of coaching the girls soccer team, Frankie tries to teach Brick better hygiene, and Cassidy's painting confuses Axl.
19 The Wind Chimes
Apr 23, 201421m★ 8.0
Frankie begs Rita Glossner to take down her noisy wind chimes; Axl and Hutch try to figure out a way to retrieve a couch they found on the side of the road; Brick tries to come up with a new pretzel snack idea; Sue announces she is back with Darrin.
20 The Optimist
Apr 30, 201421m★ 8.0
Sue frantically tries to earn a college scholarship for when she graduates high school in two years; Frankie hopes to correct a mistake at work without her boss finding out; Brick demands a formal apology from Mike after a misunderstanding.
21 Office Hours
May 7, 201421m★ 7.8
Frankie limits the hours during which the kids can voice their needs; Mike watches to make sure Darrin doesn't take advantage of Sue; Brick invites new friends over.
22 Heck on a Hard Body
May 14, 201421m★ 7.8
Sue enters a contest to win a car; Mike and his brother bond on a road trip to Chicago for Brick's spelling bee; Frankie goes to Axl's dorm to help him find a missing desk.
23 Orlando
May 21, 201421m★ 8.0
Sue looks forward to the trip to Walt Disney World; Brick begs his parents to take him to meet his online girlfriend; Axl waits to learn his final grades.
24 The Wonderful World of Hecks
May 21, 201421m★ 8.4
A series of unfortunate events threaten to spoil the trip to Walt Disney World.