The Middle Episode 3.01 Forced Family Fun, Part 1

It's the first day of school and the entire Heck family is thoughtfully expressing just how much they'll miss each other as they head out into the world. They even share a big family hug on the porch. Okay, we know what you're thinking. What the heck happened to the Hecks?!

It was a very eventful summer for just about everyone except for Frankie and her family. Axl was busy abusing his power as a lifeguard, Sue spent her days hanging at the mall and Brick scored his dream job helping out at the library.

Frankie wants her family to spend some quality time together before school starts. Mike says the only vacation they can afford is camping. Hard to believe he would suggest such a thing. Frankie says the last time they went camping was the worst night of her life. That may have been because it was their honeymoon.

Horror and disappointment engulf the kids when they learn they'll be going on a two-day camping trip. They settle down after Frankie threatens to bump it up to three. The vacation gets off to a rough start after Frankie forgets to bring the blue snack bag. Future high school freshman Sue drives Axl crazy with all her questions about this new adventure. And Mike wants Brick to stop reading about nature and experience it instead.

Mike forces Brick to take his nose out of his book long enough to gaze upon the lake. After the two men cast their fishing lines into the water, Brick reels in his very first trout. He wants to invite the folks in a nearby Winnebago to join them for dinner. But Mike wants to keep it just them. Frankie finds this ironic considering what happened on their honeymoon. Brace yourself for a flashback!

Frankie and Mike's wedding night in the woods started out more rainy than romantic. Then it got a little crowded when Nicky Kohlbrenner (guest star Ray Romano) wandered by. The guy used to be the manager on Mike's high school basketball team. Nicky is a bit of sad sack, so Mike invites him to stay for dinner. Needless to say, Frankie isn't thrilled.