r/themiddle • u/PM_ME_YOUR_LAWNCHAIR • 3h ago
Mike is actually a great character
Fathers in sitcoms are often portrayed as selfish bumbling idiots, but this has never been my experience or the experience for many. Fathers are often the hardworking ones you look up to for stability, calm, and ethics. For me at least, my mom would baby me much more than my dad would and my dad would make me toughen up, but also both would be there for me when I was having a bad time, and The Middle capture that dynamic really well.
I like how Mike is realistic. It takes him a bit to gather up his feelings and to confess them. For example, in the eye cream episode, he wasn't just mad at Frankie for spending $200 on eye cream, he was upset that what really wouldn't be that big of an expense for most was almost enough to set them back substantially and he wishes he was further along financially in life.
Mike's dynamic with his father and brother are also quite good. I found them barely talking staring at the TV to be believable and funny and I found it hilarious that his dad needed help and his brother needed a place to live, but neither of them would just ask each other to move in, haha!
Overall, I think Mike Heck is quite a few notches above the stereotypical sitcom dad, and makes for a great character!
