The Middle Review: Keeping Track of the Hecks

Technology plays an important role on The Middle this week with the unlikeliest of characters using it to their advantage. Seriously, who would have thought Frankie and Mike would own smartphones, let alone understand them enough to track their kids’ locations?

That’s exactly what happens when Sue and Axl are home for the summer and staying out all night. It’s weird enough Axl is being so nice to Sue, inviting her to all these house parties, but it’s even weirder that Frankie notices and cares when they are still out at 2am. Part of me wishes Sue wasn’t going to Dollywood for the summer just so her and Axl could keep hanging out like siblings who don’t hate each other. I know Dollywood with Brad will give her so many stories to tell in the fall and the new season, so she has to go.

Anyway, Frankie and Mike failed to implement a 10:00 curfew because like any college age kid, no one took them seriously. That’s when Frankie somehow discovered the app on their phones to be able to track their every move. Her real mistake was in letting Mike in on her plan. He can’t handle the pressures of secretly spying on their kids, especially when they lie about not being close to a fast food place to bring him home a taco.

As expected with technology though, they all ended up in a ditch. Mike thought Sue was stuck there because their tracker wasn’t updating her location, and in turn, Axl revealed he’s been tracking his parents’ phones for months now. His reasons were more selfish, like when to be sure no one was home to sneak in and raid the fridge and/or throw a party. In the end they all agreed to stop tracking each other. Frankie resigns to worry about her kids the old-fashioned way because obviously technology isn’t perfect and can only add to her stresses.

Brick had his own storyline with Cindy this week as they found out they’re in direct competition to be valedictorian at their middle school graduation. Long story short, Cindy wins fair and square and the little love birds’ relationship grows even deeper. Bonding over their IEPs and diagnosis codes is definitely one way to solidify their relationship before they enter the scary world of high school next year.

Don’t forget next week is already the season finale!