The Hecks always have a lot to deal with. This week, Axl thinks everything is lame, Sue is trying out for the position of tennis ball-girl (which she predictably fails at), and Brick’s test results (not educational, mental). This episode’s storylines are divided into Frankie and Axl, as well as Mike and Brick, with Sue being put on the back burner. Frankie just wants to know that Axl is still the sweet little kid that he used to be when he was six, but their relationship is hurt even worse when Axl is the only football player that gives his old football jersey to a hot girl, rather than his mom. Moreover, after Brick’s $500 test results reveal that Brick is obviously bad at socializing with other kids, Mike tries to get him involved with other kids.

The Axl/Frankie storyline is very predictable, and in most of Patricia Heaton’s scenes, she seems like she’s constantly overacting. Axl is the stereotypical teenage boy, and Frankie is the stereotypical, overworked mother, who is tired of dealing with the stereotypical teenage boy. Mike and Brick’s scenes, on the other hand, make for extremely humorous situations. The flashbacks of Brick trying to interact with other boys his age sets this up for a great storyline. So in an effort to make Brick seem normal, Mike signs him up for basketball, but it unfortunately has the opposite effect. Brick’s mannerisms are really what keep the show fresh, even if his whispering-to-himself gag is becoming overdone. Brick is constantly reading on the basketball court, and Mike’s frustration with him just makes it even funnier.

So like I was saying, one of the storylines, Mike and Brick’s, really had a lot going for it, whereas Frankie and Axl’s storyline seemed to be lacking quite a bit. The show has been performing well enough, but it won’t be able to survive on Brick forever. The writers and actors need to really establish these characters and make them work well together.

Grade: B

Modern Family – “Run for Your Wife”

It’s the first day of school (I thought they were already in school, though), and each family is dealing with their own set of problems. Jay and Gloria have a conflict because Manny wants to go school in an authentic Columbian poncho; Jay thinks he should reconsider to save himself the embarrassment, but Gloria is (almost) always in support of her son. Mitchell and Cam are also facing an issue after Lily suffers her first bump on the head, but, being new parents, they very concerned and take a trip to the doctor. Finally, with the house empty, Phil challenges Claire to a race, which really turns into a competitive battle.

Like all of the show’s previous episodes, each storyline is hilarious. Gloria wants Jay to show Manny that he’s supportive of him, so he brings him his poncho. However, Gloria realizes that there are limits to how badly she’ll let Manny embarrass himself, and she subtly asks Jay to destroy his pan flute, so he can’t perform his dance in front of the class. Furthermore, the tension inside the Dunphy household makes more some fantastic moments between Phil and Claire, as they keep trying to one-up each other. My favorite moment happens to be when Mitch and Cam freak out after they accidentally lock Lily inside their car.

Modern Family continues to impress. I feel like I’m gushing over this show every week, but in all honesty, it really deserves it. All I can really say is make sure you put this show on your must-watch list.

Grade: A

Guess what. The Heck family has yet another set of hectic problems in store. Sue, who has been selling cheese and sausage all over the state to go on a school trip to Indianapolis, finally has to stand up for herself when her name isn’t on the school field trip list, and Brick has his first girlfriend, Olivia, who is extremely demanding. After watching her mother say, “Eh, it’s not worth the fight,” over the years, Sue figures it’s no use to try and go on the trip to the capital, but Frankie is determined to get her to Indianapolis. The men of the house, on the other hand, spend their time trying to figure out how Brick can get rid of his new girlfriend.

Many of the jokes this week feel forced and the acting feels a tad over the top. For instance, I think Patricia Heaton’s portrayal of Frankie seems too much like a “psycho-mom,” and Sue’s over-excitement for the school trip feels insincere. However, the flashbacks showing how Sue is never noticed in school are hysterical. The best portions of this week’s episode are with Brick, Axl, and Mike as they discuss how Brick can break-off his relationship and about women in general.

So far, The Middle hasn’t had its break-out episode, but none of the episodes are ever bad. If this season continues the way it is, I’ll still keep coming back, but I don’t think it would be able to become a favorite of mine.

Grade: B-

Modern Family – “Coal Digger”

There’s a family barbeque at the Pritchett household (that would be Jay, Gloria, and Manny’s house) and a conflict between Claire and Gloria is brought out, surprisingly, by their two children, Luke and Manny. Luke and Manny had been fighting at school, and after they had patched things up, they told the family why they were making fun of each other. After a few harmless insults were brought up, Luke then reveals that he made fun of Manny because his mom used to “dig coal.” When Alex asks what a “coal digger” is, Phil quickly and hilariously points out that “You heard it wrong, sweetie, it’s gold digger.” Tensions between Claire and Gloria were already high as it is, and this turns the night into a whole new level of uncomfortable. While this part of the story is funny all by itself, a couple of small scenes with Jay, Cameron, and Mitchell watching football made me die with laughter.

A lot of the humor in this episode is reminiscent of The Office, in that it’s mainly about the uncomfortable and awkward moments, such as Gloria being called a gold digger in front of the family, or Claire walking into Gloria’s room and seeing Phil covered in Gloria’s underwear. Plus, the moments with Jay, Mitch, and Cam are absolutely fantastic. Since Claire referred to Gloria as a gold digger, Jay is suddenly self-conscious about his looks, so he asks for the opinion of his gay son and his boyfriend. Cameron eagerly replies, “You’re totally my type. You’re dangerous. You’re gettable. You have a little cashola in your pocket.” It’s such a classic moment.

It seems like every element of Modern Family clicks perfectly. The storylines are intriguing, the acting is believable, the style is unique, and the writing is hilarious. If you haven’t started watching this show, please, I’m begging you, go straight to Hulu or ABC and watch it now.

Grade: A-