The Floating Anniversary

Season 1, Episode 3, Aired
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Episode Summary

Frankie and Mike's romantic anniversary get-away is ruined by various family matters, including Brick being sick, Sue being lovesick, Axl just getting his learner's permit, and two psychotic aunts and their dogs.
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Fan Episode Reviews (2)

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  • 103

    9.0
    "Superb"
    By Canogaparkcindy, Apr 30, 2011 Report Abuse
    Another superb episode of The Middle. This is easily becoming one of my favorite family shows and we're on our third episode! All the multiple plots on this show tied up quite nicely here and that was the most notable part about this episode.

    I can tell you one thing this show isn't: cliche. At first when I saw Sue stare at a boy she liked, I feared for the worst, that this show will become cliche this early in the game, but I was dead wrong. The writers managed to take a plot and completely put a 360 on it.

    Sue admitting to the whole school that she liked a boy was absolutely hysterical. This is a classic element of The Middle, which is Sue's social awkwardness. Taking 15 minutes for a break was a good scene, I really enjoyed the outcome of it with Frankie getting 54 new messages by the end of her break.

    The dog with lung problems also was an important part of the episode with Axel getting in a car accident because of that dog. By the end, we got a feel good ending with the new carpet which was such a great scene and concept. Wow, you've impressed me yet again, The Middle!moreless

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  • Perfect way to tie up all the plot points.

    8.8
    "Great"
    By JaCkKbAuEr2424, Nov 27, 2010 Report Abuse
    It's always impressive when a show can take multiple plots and tie them all together in a believable way by the end. Curb Your Enthusiasm and Arrested Development have done it the best, but The Middle seems to be good at it as well. I was impressed at how the episode was able to tie in the dog with emphysema, Axel's terrible driving and Sue's horrible idea to impress Brendan by the end.. and still have time to refer back to the anniversary that started the whole episode.

    In shows like Modern Family, which I still think holds the crown for best new comedy this season, some of the family members get less attention paid to them, probably because of the enormous cast. However, The Middle focuses equal time on each character. It was nice to see Chris Kattan get a little more to do this episode, because he's a good comedian.

    I liked Neil Flynn more in this episode than I did the previous ones, and Patricia Heaton is certainly making up for the god-awful Back To You show she did with Kelsey Grammar. It seems Grammar picked the wrong family show to be in, because Hank is tanking pretty bad now.

    There's still some slow parts to the show, and these episodes might not do much to get rid of people's thoughts that it's similar to Malcolm in the Middle, but it's a solid and funny show that's worth watching.moreless

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  • Trivia

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  • Notes

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    • International Episode Titles: Czech Republic: Odkládané výročí (The Postponed Anniversary) Edit
    • Original International Air Dates: Czech Republic: September 8, 2010 on HBO Comedy United Kingdom: September 12, 2010 on Sky1/Sky1 HD Edit
    • Featured Music: "Spinning Wheel" by Blood Sweat and Tears. "Close To You" by The Carpenters (Sue sings this song into the intercom). Edit

  • Quotes

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    • Sue: Mom, can I talk to you? Frankie: Yeah, sure. Sue: I saw this boy today at school... Frankie: (narration) Now, I know I should have been thrilled by this. My daughter was telling me about her first big crush. But I was so tired, all I could do was pretend to listen. And then I saw something amazing, something I was beginning to think I'd never see in my lifetime. Brick was making a sandwich. Just this morning he was sick, and now, an actual sandwich! It was like that guy who got hit by lightning and suddenly knew how to play the piano. Sue: So, what do you think? Is it a good plan? Frankie: Uh, sure, honey. That's a great plan. Sue: Yay! (walks away) Frankie: Brick, did you make your own lunch? Brick: Uh-huh! Did it all by myself! Frankie: Hey! (narration) And suddenly, everything seemed hopeful. There was one less thing I would have to do tomorrow and the rest of my life. Brick would make sandwiches, Axl would learn to drive, and soon there would be time for trips to the carpet remnant store whenever I wanted...or so I thought. Edit
    • Frankie: (taking Brick to work with her when he is sick) Okay, there's ginger ale in the cup holder. If you need anything, honk twice. Brick: I wish I could stay home and watch TV and have you make me soup. Frankie: Oh, sorry, honey. Wrong family. Edit

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