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The Middle
A Simple Christmas
Original Air Date: Dec 8, 2010
Will – TwoCents Reviewer
will@thetwocentscorp.com
This episode has been one I have been waiting to see! You know it is going to be funny when it is Christmas time on The Middle. The show starts off with Frankie telling Mike the bad news that her parents will be staying for 12 days this year instead of 4.
As the shows goes on Frankie and Mike realize that there kids do not appreciate any of the gifts that they give them each year and the proof is in the basement were all the unopened gifts are from the past few years. So Frankie has a “a ha” moment and decides to have a simple Christmas this year. When Frankie give this whole speech to the kids, there first thought is no gifts! Just to let everybody know, that Sue has had her cross country outfit on basically the whole season.
After a few days, Frankie’s parents become annoying while Mike has to deal with Frankie’s dad following him around everywhere he goes telling him stories. Meanwhile Frankie suggest that the kids give each other gifts and so Axl sets off building a igloo for Brick. Sue gets herself a job throwing a sign so she can make enough money to get everyone gifts. The show has a turning point when Frankie’s mom gives each kids a early Christmas gift of 100 dollars. Frankie is outraged but Frankie’s mom blows it saying that she can spoil them if she wants to. Of course Frankie tells her concerns to Mike but just says that she shouldn’t have invited them for 12 days. What was she thinking? Meanwhile Mike is trying his best to get away and at one point gets so desperate that he breaks the hot water heater on purpose so he has an excuse to go to the hardware store but Frankie’s dad finds a way to go.
Near the end of the show, everybody wakes up Christmas morning and Frankie’s simple Christmas turns into a disaster when Frankie’s three simple gifts turns into over 50 gifts for the kids. She ends up yelling at her parents, especially her mom about going overboard and how she wanted a simple Christmas but her mom says she drove 140 miles to see them and she could spoil the grand kids if she wanted to. Mike finally makes her realize that Christmas is just about being happy and getting along with the family that you only get to see a few times a year. The show ends with the family doing a family skit which really gets you in the holiday spirit.
This episode wasn’t the funniest I have ever seen but I liked it. I think it gave everyone a lesson to be thankful for what we do have instead of always wanting new things. What did you think of this episode? Give me your two cents.
TheTwoCents 
I love Jerry VanDyke! He was great inCoach! Wish he was a regular on a show.
I wish he was to! He guest starred some in Yes Dear.
I wish ABC would get on the whole digital bandwagon. I’d love to watch more of this show, but I can’t download it from itunes, it’s not on hulu and even the ABC player on the iPad doesn’t have The Middle.