
In the Heck family, middle-age, middle-class, middle-America mom Frankie Heck (two-time Emmy winner Patricia Heaton) uses a sense of humor to try to steer her family through life's ups and downs as she tackles her career goals. Her unflappable husband, Mike (Neil Flynn), is a manager at the local quarry. Oldest son Axl is an obstinate young man; awkward daughter Sue cannot seem to find her niche -- despite much enthusiasm in her attempts -- and youngest son Brick is an unusual child whose best friend is his backpack.

Axl returns home from Europe with a new outlook on life; Sue decides to cram a whole summer of fun into two days; Brick doesn't know if he should break up with Cindy; Frankie tries to come up with an item for a time capsule.

Frankie gives away unused items from the house in the hope of getting food in return; Sue and Lexie find their apartment is being inhabited; Axl's new job as a school bus driver gives him the opportunity to look after Brick.

Frankie is worried about meeting Lexie's rich parents; Brick discovers that he can't get arrested when he participates in the school's Sophomore Slammer fundraiser.

As Halloween nears, Frankie finds out that a woman died in the Heck house nearly 50 years ago; Axl and Lexie are frustrated when Sue insists on hanging out with them.