The Middle (2009–2018): Season 1, Episode 23 - Signals - full transcript
As the Hecks prepare for their annual spring barbecue, Mike and Brick work on their social skills together and Sue becomes infatuated with the pastor in charge of her youth group.
FRANKIE: There are different kinds
of signals people use...
...to communicate valuable information
to each other.
- Some are subtle...
- Wow, you lost a ton of weight.
...and some, not so much.
Did you hear that, Mike? Brian's taken
up running. Says it's changed his life.
Yeah, I heard.
I don't really care about running.
[GRUNTS]
But did you see the shoes
she wore on Wednesday?
To die for.
FRANKIE:
How many pairs do you think she has?
That was fun.
Yep.
Kind of late, though.
I was ready to go an hour ago.
You missed my signal.
I missed your signal?
I missed your signal?
That's hilarious.
I gave you so many signals,
other people's husbands were responding.
- What are you talking about?
- Mike, you didn't hear yourself.
You can't just say every thought
that pops into your head.
Oh, come on.
Are we really gonna go here?
Look, we're 20 years in.
We got 20, 30 more and we're done.
Can't we just ride it out till then?
Why are you worried about it?
I said it, not you.
Yeah, but you're a reflection of me.
I married you. I picked you.
You start saying stuff like that...
...it's like my arm
suddenly starts flapping uncontrollably.
- There's nothing I can do to stop it.
- I must be doing something right.
People invite us to parties.
Our party's coming up in a few weeks.
People come to that.
- I'm very social there.
- Heh.
You're confusing yourself with me.
I talk. I make the chitchat.
You cling to the grill and ask people
if they want cheese on that.
You knew what you were getting
when you bought me.
I guarantee you,
people are going home now saying:
"Can you believe Mike said that?
How inappropriate."
Or they're saying,
"Poor Mike. What a great guy.
- Too bad he's married to that shrew." Heh.
- Heh.
Oh, yeah? Well, read this sign.
FRANKIE:
Yep, some signs are unmistakable.
Like those
that signify the coming of spring...
...when the teenage boy wakes
from his long winter slumber...
...and comes out of hibernation
to forage for food.
[SNIFFING]
[BIRDS CHIRPING IN DISTANCE]
It's spring!
Dad, when are you cleaning the pool
for the barbecue? Coming up soon.
I don't know. That's a hassle.
Maybe we'll skip the pool.
What? No.
No, you gotta clean
the sweet aboveground pool.
Yeah, well, that pool's turned
into a sweet aboveground frog habitat.
It's the kickoff to the Orson
bikini season. If our family...
...can turn our back on this tradition,
I don't know what we stand for.
Great. I have a new tradition.
You clean it. I'm off. Bye.
Don't forget.
We have Brick's thing after school today.
Yes. The Odd Squad Pageant.
I wouldn't miss it for the world.
Oh, Sue, I was talking to Mrs. Hagen
at the party last night.
She told me her daughter's
in the church youth group and likes it.
Youth group?
- Isn't that sort of for geeks and losers?
- Axl.
Give it a chance.
You're always wanting to join something...
...and there's no tryouts for Jesus.
Don't worry. Mom gets on kicks
where she feels guilty.
She's gotta be a better parent
or something.
She'll take you a few times,
but she'll get tired of driving you.
You won't have to go anymore.
Welcome, parents,
to the first spring Social-Skills-athon.
We at the Social Skills Group
are excited to show you...
...the progress we've made.
First up, Brick and Zack will demonstrate
a reciprocal conversation. Boys.
- Hi, Brick. How are you?
- Fine. Thanks for asking, Zack.
- How are you?
- I'm fine.
- How much are we paying for this again?
- Mike.
Now, I know this all looks easy, parents,
but social interactions can be awkward...
...for people who don't inherently pick up
the signals or cues...
...most of us take for granted.
Not knowing the right thing to say
at a party or other group situation...
...can lead to hurt feelings.
First, let's show everyone
the wrong way.
Hello. Can I join your group?
Sure.
Henry was just talking about baseball.
I don't really care about baseball.
I'm done talking to you now.
[IMITATES BUZZER RINGING]
Uh-oh. Ha, ha.
It's funny, isn't it?
That's because we, as adults,
know it's not okay.
Now, let's show them the right way.
Oh, I don't know much about baseball...
...but I'd be interested
in hearing what you have to say.
Parents, even if we're not interested
in what others are saying...
...we can't tell them that
or people will think we're rude.
Oh.
Excuse me.
Is there a height limit for this class?
FRANKIE: Sometimes the point is
so obvious, you don't have to say it.
Say it. Just say it.
I knew it wasn't my side of the family.
You're always blaming me
for Brick being short.
I'm just saying, he might have gotten
a few things from you.
You wanna go down this road? We can.
Let's go kid by kid.
Axl's knees, your family.
Sue's teeth, your family.
Brick's snoring...
[IMITATES SNORING]
...you again.
- Yeah, we don't have to go down the road.
- Okay.
You know what you know.
Hey, I was very social as a kid.
Well-liked, picked first on every team.
Of course they're gonna pick you.
You're a freaking skyscraper.
Brick doesn't have that luxury.
Your shrimpy genes, not mine.
It's not just about the genes, Mike.
Kids watch. They watch and learn.
I know, I know. I get it.
I need to set a better example.
I'll do it for Brick.
That way, someday in the future...
...he won't ever have to have
this conversation with his wife.
FRANKIE:
Well, spring's a time for new beginnings...
...and Sue was giving youth group a try.
I wanna be a good parent and everything,
but it was a pain to have to drive her.
Do you need some help?
Oh, thanks. This happens all the time.
Oh, hold on. Hold on.
Panic is not your friend in this situation.
There.
Oh, hey, thanks.
No problem.
Hey, guys.
Let's everybody come on up front...
...and let's get these chairs
out of the way.
Make a peace circle.
SUE: Hey, what happened
to Reverend Hayver?
Oh, he doesn't lead the youth group.
He does.
Really?
TIMTOM:
Okay.
For all you new guys,
my name is Reverend TimTom.
Well, actually,
my name is Reverend Timothy Thomas...
...but my friends... And you are my friends.
- call me Reverend TimTom.
Let's rap about what's on your minds.
[SINGING] It's tough bein' a teen
When this world can be so mean
No one takes you seriously
You say, "Who will understand me?"
When the world tells you you're nothin'
Just remember that you're somethin'
Yeah, it's tough bein' a teen
Yeah, it's tough bein' a teen
FRANKIE: Oh. If we could convince him
cleaning the garage...
...would get him girls,
we'd be onto something.
The urge to mate
is a powerful incentive, Frankie.
Makes men do crazy things.
Makes men marry.
You know what else is powerful?
Love and fellowship and understanding.
A lot of forces at play
in this complicated world.
It's tough being a teen right now.
Tough being a teen.
Hey, buddy.
Proud of the good work you did yesterday.
Looks like you really learned a lot
in the class.
Yep. So I'm done now, right?
I worked out all my social issues?
[WHISPERING]
Social issues.
Well, son, you're never really done.
You can always try to better yourself.
[IN NORMAL TONE]
I'm probably as good as I'm gonna get.
We did the thing, got the pizza party.
I'm done.
Here's the thing, Brick.
Everyone can always improve, even me.
I might not always set the best example
for you.
I'm not always the most social guy.
But don't get me wrong.
I was popular, really popular.
Wow, the stripes on your shirt
are thicker going up and down...
...and then thinner going sideways.
Look, Brick,
we got this big barbecue coming up.
What do you say you and me go out there
and really try to be social?
It'll be like our spring training.
Our what?
Is that a sports thing?
Yeah, sports.
I don't know much about that.
I'd be interested
in hearing what you have to say.
Attaboy.
[SINGING]
Jesus was a teenager too
Beneath the long hair, awkwardness
And pimples, King of the Jews
A lonely teenage savior
No one could understand
Awkward on the outside
But inside, a wise young man
Yeah, Jesus was a teenager too
Mm-hm. Yes, he was.
Mahalo. Hang loose, everybody.
Um...
Reverend TimTom,
can I ask you something?
Sure. What's on your mind?
Reverend, are we still going
on the field trip next week...
...to explore God's wonders?
Yes, we are, Marcy,
but I was talking to this young lady first.
Reverend TimTom...
...I was wondering if you'd like to come
to our barbecue this weekend.
You can bring your guitar.
Ah, that'd be beautiful.
I'll be moving to my next parish
after the field trip...
...so that'll be a nice goodbye for me.
Give me a good sendoff.
Okay. I'm gonna go. See you then.
Is that true?
Is Reverend TimTom leaving?
I heard since they refinished the pews...
...the parish doesn't have enough money
to keep him.
But he gets me.
FRANKIE: Sue was devastated
to be losing Reverend Tim Tom...
...almost as soon as she found him.
But Sue being Sue
was not gonna give up.
Hi. I'm collecting money
to keep Reverend TimTom in the church.
He really gets teens.
The Heck barbecue was in full swing.
Axl's right.
It's the kickoff to the Orson bikini season.
And you just can't turn your back
on that kind of tradition.
God, what is going on?
It's supposed to be spring.
Where is global warming
when you need it?
Hey, come on in the pool, ladies.
I'll hold your sweatshirts while you go in.
Dudes, you need to move more.
Splash around. Make it look fun.
All right. So we're clear?
Back-seat grillers are gonna tell you
how to do it...
...but you gotta stay focused.
Do what I told you.
Keep your mind on the meat.
Thank you, Mike.
It's an honor to be trusted with your grill.
My dad never let me
anywhere near ours.
Whenever I got too close,
he would squirt me with a spray bottle.
Okay. Ahem.
All right. Here we go.
There we go.
Brick, ready to hit this party
and socialize?
- What are we gonna do?
- Look people in the eye.
- What are we not gonna do?
- Walk away while people are talking to us.
All right. Mingle on three.
One, two...
Is that a sports thing again?
Seriously, Brick,
you read a hundred books a day.
Can't one of them be about sports?
FRANKIE:
I was really touched watching them.
Two socially awkward creatures,
one giant, one tiny...
...clearly out of their element,
but willing to try.
I just hoped they did better
than Bob at the grill.
You're kidding.
So you have ancestors
from France and Belgium?
Yes. Genealogy is so fascinating,
don't you think?
I don't know much about that...
...but I'd be interested
in hearing what you have to say.
Hi. My name's Brick.
So, what do you like to do?
[GRUNTS]
Reverend TimTom, you showed up.
Well, why wouldn't I? You invited me.
I invite people to a lot of things.
They don't always show up.
MAN: I like you.
- I like you too.
You're a good listener.
You're a good talker.
I've never met anyone as interested
in growing winter squash as I am.
Until now, I've known little about the
topic, but I've enjoyed this conversation.
This isn't working.
My body's not good
at regulating its own temperature.
Maybe if we move closer
it'll get warmer.
[SINGING] It's tough bein' a teen
When this world can be so mean
No one takes you seriously
You say, "Who will understand me?"
Whoa. Who's the weird old loser
playing guitar?
Could this geezer be any more lame?
What do you say we hit the pool?
But your brain will fully form one day
Hey, you wanna lose the sweatshirt and
I could rub suntan lotion on your back?
Or you could do mine.
We could set up a suntan-lotion train.
And on that day you'll stand and shout
Hey, look at those guys in the pool.
That looks fun.
TIMTOM:
Yeah, it's tough bein' a teen
Well, it's tough bein' a teen
Oh. Hi. Sorry. I was just looking
for a serving spoon for the macaroni salad.
Um, I think it should be right here.
How about that? Got it on the first try.
Thanks.
- Need some help carrying this stuff out?
- Oh, that'd be great. Thanks.
I asked Brian to come in and help me.
I don't think he heard me.
But that's pretty typical these days.
I understand.
Really?
Did you sense something
the other night at the dinner party?
Because he's just...
No. You know what? Sorry.
I don't wanna bore you
with my relationship troubles.
Oh. Oh, I don't know much about that...
...but I'd be interested
in hearing what you have to say.
You would?
I think we got off on the wrong foot
last time. I brought you some cake.
[GRUNTS]
Forks are inside.
It's like you wanted all these things...
...but then you can't remember
what it was you wanted.
I hear you.
It's like something's missing.
You're restless.
- Sure. I've had that feeling myself.
- You have?
Wow.
I just feel like you get me in a way that...
...well, no one has gotten me
in a very long time.
I'm glad.
God, Mike.
The way you're looking at me...
You've never looked at me like this.
Thanks for noticing.
This is crazy. You wake up in the morning,
you think your life's gonna go one way...
...and then it takes a turn
you didn't expect.
Uh...
So how do you wanna play this?
I'm done talking to you now.
Frankie, seriously,
give me another chance.
I got distracted
when that guy started singing.
It was like he was speaking to me.
FRANKIE: There was no way
I was letting Bob near the grill again.
I looked for Mike to take over, but he
and Brick seemed to have disappeared.
Socializing is hard.
Harder than I thought.
What happened to you?
I offered a boy cake and he punched me.
I got offered something too.
You know, buddy, I've been thinking.
Maybe we're meant to be
who we're meant to be.
It's when we start to change
who we're meant to be...
...that things get messed up.
Sounds like an excuse,
but Mom would probably fall for it.
No, I mean it.
- Brick, are you happy?
- Yes.
- Are you happy?
- Yes.
So why are we letting people
try to change us?
We're fine just the way we are.
So do I still have to go
to the social group?
Eh, Brick, that's kind of your mom's thing.
She wants you to go.
Just go for now.
Eventually, she'll get tired of driving you.
Spring sucks.
Reverend TimTom?
I was trying to raise money
so the church could afford to keep you.
I tried my best, but I only raised $6.12.
Will this keep you here another week?
Until I get my bake sale up and running.
Honey, I'm not leaving
because the church can't afford to keep me.
I'm leaving because I gotta keep roving.
It's who I am.
I'm TimTom, the roving rev.
I hear there's a lot of troubled teens
in Dayton, so I gotta move on.
But I just found you
and now you're leaving?
You gave me hope,
but now everything just seems impossible.
You know...
...if you take the "im" off of "impossible,"
what do you get?
- Im?
- No, the other half.
- Possible?
- That's right, Sue Heck. Possible.
You remembered my name.
You only met me twice
and you remembered my name.
That's why you have to stay.
You get me.
When you go to Dayton,
what's gonna happen to me?
I'll tell you what's gonna happen to you,
Sue Heck.
[SINGING]
You're gonna be just fine
You're gonna be all right
You don't have to change a thing
You're super keen and out of sight
You heard it from Reverend Tim Tom
Don't let people drag you down
There's a power up there
Can you feel it now?
[BIRDS CHIRPING]
Don't let them try to change you
- Don't let 'em chip away at who you are
- It's a miracle.
Thank you, old guitar dude.
Don't let them try to change you
Don't let 'em chip away at who you are
[LAUGHING AND CHATTERING]
Oh, Mike.
You looked into her eyes
and told her you understand?
- You can't do that to a woman.
- Yeah, apparently not.
I guess all this with a personality
is too much.
I need to hold some back.
Honestly, though, nothing happened.
- Stop saying that. I know.
- Really?
Yeah. That's the flip side
to having a husband who's honest.
I know you're never gonna lie.
- Oh, you don't know that.
- Yes, I do.
You don't know.
Lot of opportunities out there for a guy
like me who knows how to listen.
I'm done talking to you now.
I've been looking for you. You know...
...some people like to use ladybugs
as their pest control.
I like poison. Good old American poison.
FRANKIE: Yeah, Mike and Brick
were never gonna be social butterflies...
...but when times got rough,
they figured a way to help each other out.
- stock up with root vegetables
like potatoes and rutabagas...
BRICK:
Dad, I am terribly sorry to interrupt...
...but I have an emergency that requires
your immediate attention over there.
I'm sorry. My son needs my help.
Another time?
I look forward to it.
[SINGING]
Fine the way you are
You're gonna be fine the way you are
Gonna be fine
[ENGLISH - US - SDH]
of signals people use...
...to communicate valuable information
to each other.
- Some are subtle...
- Wow, you lost a ton of weight.
...and some, not so much.
Did you hear that, Mike? Brian's taken
up running. Says it's changed his life.
Yeah, I heard.
I don't really care about running.
[GRUNTS]
But did you see the shoes
she wore on Wednesday?
To die for.
FRANKIE:
How many pairs do you think she has?
That was fun.
Yep.
Kind of late, though.
I was ready to go an hour ago.
You missed my signal.
I missed your signal?
I missed your signal?
That's hilarious.
I gave you so many signals,
other people's husbands were responding.
- What are you talking about?
- Mike, you didn't hear yourself.
You can't just say every thought
that pops into your head.
Oh, come on.
Are we really gonna go here?
Look, we're 20 years in.
We got 20, 30 more and we're done.
Can't we just ride it out till then?
Why are you worried about it?
I said it, not you.
Yeah, but you're a reflection of me.
I married you. I picked you.
You start saying stuff like that...
...it's like my arm
suddenly starts flapping uncontrollably.
- There's nothing I can do to stop it.
- I must be doing something right.
People invite us to parties.
Our party's coming up in a few weeks.
People come to that.
- I'm very social there.
- Heh.
You're confusing yourself with me.
I talk. I make the chitchat.
You cling to the grill and ask people
if they want cheese on that.
You knew what you were getting
when you bought me.
I guarantee you,
people are going home now saying:
"Can you believe Mike said that?
How inappropriate."
Or they're saying,
"Poor Mike. What a great guy.
- Too bad he's married to that shrew." Heh.
- Heh.
Oh, yeah? Well, read this sign.
FRANKIE:
Yep, some signs are unmistakable.
Like those
that signify the coming of spring...
...when the teenage boy wakes
from his long winter slumber...
...and comes out of hibernation
to forage for food.
[SNIFFING]
[BIRDS CHIRPING IN DISTANCE]
It's spring!
Dad, when are you cleaning the pool
for the barbecue? Coming up soon.
I don't know. That's a hassle.
Maybe we'll skip the pool.
What? No.
No, you gotta clean
the sweet aboveground pool.
Yeah, well, that pool's turned
into a sweet aboveground frog habitat.
It's the kickoff to the Orson
bikini season. If our family...
...can turn our back on this tradition,
I don't know what we stand for.
Great. I have a new tradition.
You clean it. I'm off. Bye.
Don't forget.
We have Brick's thing after school today.
Yes. The Odd Squad Pageant.
I wouldn't miss it for the world.
Oh, Sue, I was talking to Mrs. Hagen
at the party last night.
She told me her daughter's
in the church youth group and likes it.
Youth group?
- Isn't that sort of for geeks and losers?
- Axl.
Give it a chance.
You're always wanting to join something...
...and there's no tryouts for Jesus.
Don't worry. Mom gets on kicks
where she feels guilty.
She's gotta be a better parent
or something.
She'll take you a few times,
but she'll get tired of driving you.
You won't have to go anymore.
Welcome, parents,
to the first spring Social-Skills-athon.
We at the Social Skills Group
are excited to show you...
...the progress we've made.
First up, Brick and Zack will demonstrate
a reciprocal conversation. Boys.
- Hi, Brick. How are you?
- Fine. Thanks for asking, Zack.
- How are you?
- I'm fine.
- How much are we paying for this again?
- Mike.
Now, I know this all looks easy, parents,
but social interactions can be awkward...
...for people who don't inherently pick up
the signals or cues...
...most of us take for granted.
Not knowing the right thing to say
at a party or other group situation...
...can lead to hurt feelings.
First, let's show everyone
the wrong way.
Hello. Can I join your group?
Sure.
Henry was just talking about baseball.
I don't really care about baseball.
I'm done talking to you now.
[IMITATES BUZZER RINGING]
Uh-oh. Ha, ha.
It's funny, isn't it?
That's because we, as adults,
know it's not okay.
Now, let's show them the right way.
Oh, I don't know much about baseball...
...but I'd be interested
in hearing what you have to say.
Parents, even if we're not interested
in what others are saying...
...we can't tell them that
or people will think we're rude.
Oh.
Excuse me.
Is there a height limit for this class?
FRANKIE: Sometimes the point is
so obvious, you don't have to say it.
Say it. Just say it.
I knew it wasn't my side of the family.
You're always blaming me
for Brick being short.
I'm just saying, he might have gotten
a few things from you.
You wanna go down this road? We can.
Let's go kid by kid.
Axl's knees, your family.
Sue's teeth, your family.
Brick's snoring...
[IMITATES SNORING]
...you again.
- Yeah, we don't have to go down the road.
- Okay.
You know what you know.
Hey, I was very social as a kid.
Well-liked, picked first on every team.
Of course they're gonna pick you.
You're a freaking skyscraper.
Brick doesn't have that luxury.
Your shrimpy genes, not mine.
It's not just about the genes, Mike.
Kids watch. They watch and learn.
I know, I know. I get it.
I need to set a better example.
I'll do it for Brick.
That way, someday in the future...
...he won't ever have to have
this conversation with his wife.
FRANKIE:
Well, spring's a time for new beginnings...
...and Sue was giving youth group a try.
I wanna be a good parent and everything,
but it was a pain to have to drive her.
Do you need some help?
Oh, thanks. This happens all the time.
Oh, hold on. Hold on.
Panic is not your friend in this situation.
There.
Oh, hey, thanks.
No problem.
Hey, guys.
Let's everybody come on up front...
...and let's get these chairs
out of the way.
Make a peace circle.
SUE: Hey, what happened
to Reverend Hayver?
Oh, he doesn't lead the youth group.
He does.
Really?
TIMTOM:
Okay.
For all you new guys,
my name is Reverend TimTom.
Well, actually,
my name is Reverend Timothy Thomas...
...but my friends... And you are my friends.
- call me Reverend TimTom.
Let's rap about what's on your minds.
[SINGING] It's tough bein' a teen
When this world can be so mean
No one takes you seriously
You say, "Who will understand me?"
When the world tells you you're nothin'
Just remember that you're somethin'
Yeah, it's tough bein' a teen
Yeah, it's tough bein' a teen
FRANKIE: Oh. If we could convince him
cleaning the garage...
...would get him girls,
we'd be onto something.
The urge to mate
is a powerful incentive, Frankie.
Makes men do crazy things.
Makes men marry.
You know what else is powerful?
Love and fellowship and understanding.
A lot of forces at play
in this complicated world.
It's tough being a teen right now.
Tough being a teen.
Hey, buddy.
Proud of the good work you did yesterday.
Looks like you really learned a lot
in the class.
Yep. So I'm done now, right?
I worked out all my social issues?
[WHISPERING]
Social issues.
Well, son, you're never really done.
You can always try to better yourself.
[IN NORMAL TONE]
I'm probably as good as I'm gonna get.
We did the thing, got the pizza party.
I'm done.
Here's the thing, Brick.
Everyone can always improve, even me.
I might not always set the best example
for you.
I'm not always the most social guy.
But don't get me wrong.
I was popular, really popular.
Wow, the stripes on your shirt
are thicker going up and down...
...and then thinner going sideways.
Look, Brick,
we got this big barbecue coming up.
What do you say you and me go out there
and really try to be social?
It'll be like our spring training.
Our what?
Is that a sports thing?
Yeah, sports.
I don't know much about that.
I'd be interested
in hearing what you have to say.
Attaboy.
[SINGING]
Jesus was a teenager too
Beneath the long hair, awkwardness
And pimples, King of the Jews
A lonely teenage savior
No one could understand
Awkward on the outside
But inside, a wise young man
Yeah, Jesus was a teenager too
Mm-hm. Yes, he was.
Mahalo. Hang loose, everybody.
Um...
Reverend TimTom,
can I ask you something?
Sure. What's on your mind?
Reverend, are we still going
on the field trip next week...
...to explore God's wonders?
Yes, we are, Marcy,
but I was talking to this young lady first.
Reverend TimTom...
...I was wondering if you'd like to come
to our barbecue this weekend.
You can bring your guitar.
Ah, that'd be beautiful.
I'll be moving to my next parish
after the field trip...
...so that'll be a nice goodbye for me.
Give me a good sendoff.
Okay. I'm gonna go. See you then.
Is that true?
Is Reverend TimTom leaving?
I heard since they refinished the pews...
...the parish doesn't have enough money
to keep him.
But he gets me.
FRANKIE: Sue was devastated
to be losing Reverend Tim Tom...
...almost as soon as she found him.
But Sue being Sue
was not gonna give up.
Hi. I'm collecting money
to keep Reverend TimTom in the church.
He really gets teens.
The Heck barbecue was in full swing.
Axl's right.
It's the kickoff to the Orson bikini season.
And you just can't turn your back
on that kind of tradition.
God, what is going on?
It's supposed to be spring.
Where is global warming
when you need it?
Hey, come on in the pool, ladies.
I'll hold your sweatshirts while you go in.
Dudes, you need to move more.
Splash around. Make it look fun.
All right. So we're clear?
Back-seat grillers are gonna tell you
how to do it...
...but you gotta stay focused.
Do what I told you.
Keep your mind on the meat.
Thank you, Mike.
It's an honor to be trusted with your grill.
My dad never let me
anywhere near ours.
Whenever I got too close,
he would squirt me with a spray bottle.
Okay. Ahem.
All right. Here we go.
There we go.
Brick, ready to hit this party
and socialize?
- What are we gonna do?
- Look people in the eye.
- What are we not gonna do?
- Walk away while people are talking to us.
All right. Mingle on three.
One, two...
Is that a sports thing again?
Seriously, Brick,
you read a hundred books a day.
Can't one of them be about sports?
FRANKIE:
I was really touched watching them.
Two socially awkward creatures,
one giant, one tiny...
...clearly out of their element,
but willing to try.
I just hoped they did better
than Bob at the grill.
You're kidding.
So you have ancestors
from France and Belgium?
Yes. Genealogy is so fascinating,
don't you think?
I don't know much about that...
...but I'd be interested
in hearing what you have to say.
Hi. My name's Brick.
So, what do you like to do?
[GRUNTS]
Reverend TimTom, you showed up.
Well, why wouldn't I? You invited me.
I invite people to a lot of things.
They don't always show up.
MAN: I like you.
- I like you too.
You're a good listener.
You're a good talker.
I've never met anyone as interested
in growing winter squash as I am.
Until now, I've known little about the
topic, but I've enjoyed this conversation.
This isn't working.
My body's not good
at regulating its own temperature.
Maybe if we move closer
it'll get warmer.
[SINGING] It's tough bein' a teen
When this world can be so mean
No one takes you seriously
You say, "Who will understand me?"
Whoa. Who's the weird old loser
playing guitar?
Could this geezer be any more lame?
What do you say we hit the pool?
But your brain will fully form one day
Hey, you wanna lose the sweatshirt and
I could rub suntan lotion on your back?
Or you could do mine.
We could set up a suntan-lotion train.
And on that day you'll stand and shout
Hey, look at those guys in the pool.
That looks fun.
TIMTOM:
Yeah, it's tough bein' a teen
Well, it's tough bein' a teen
Oh. Hi. Sorry. I was just looking
for a serving spoon for the macaroni salad.
Um, I think it should be right here.
How about that? Got it on the first try.
Thanks.
- Need some help carrying this stuff out?
- Oh, that'd be great. Thanks.
I asked Brian to come in and help me.
I don't think he heard me.
But that's pretty typical these days.
I understand.
Really?
Did you sense something
the other night at the dinner party?
Because he's just...
No. You know what? Sorry.
I don't wanna bore you
with my relationship troubles.
Oh. Oh, I don't know much about that...
...but I'd be interested
in hearing what you have to say.
You would?
I think we got off on the wrong foot
last time. I brought you some cake.
[GRUNTS]
Forks are inside.
It's like you wanted all these things...
...but then you can't remember
what it was you wanted.
I hear you.
It's like something's missing.
You're restless.
- Sure. I've had that feeling myself.
- You have?
Wow.
I just feel like you get me in a way that...
...well, no one has gotten me
in a very long time.
I'm glad.
God, Mike.
The way you're looking at me...
You've never looked at me like this.
Thanks for noticing.
This is crazy. You wake up in the morning,
you think your life's gonna go one way...
...and then it takes a turn
you didn't expect.
Uh...
So how do you wanna play this?
I'm done talking to you now.
Frankie, seriously,
give me another chance.
I got distracted
when that guy started singing.
It was like he was speaking to me.
FRANKIE: There was no way
I was letting Bob near the grill again.
I looked for Mike to take over, but he
and Brick seemed to have disappeared.
Socializing is hard.
Harder than I thought.
What happened to you?
I offered a boy cake and he punched me.
I got offered something too.
You know, buddy, I've been thinking.
Maybe we're meant to be
who we're meant to be.
It's when we start to change
who we're meant to be...
...that things get messed up.
Sounds like an excuse,
but Mom would probably fall for it.
No, I mean it.
- Brick, are you happy?
- Yes.
- Are you happy?
- Yes.
So why are we letting people
try to change us?
We're fine just the way we are.
So do I still have to go
to the social group?
Eh, Brick, that's kind of your mom's thing.
She wants you to go.
Just go for now.
Eventually, she'll get tired of driving you.
Spring sucks.
Reverend TimTom?
I was trying to raise money
so the church could afford to keep you.
I tried my best, but I only raised $6.12.
Will this keep you here another week?
Until I get my bake sale up and running.
Honey, I'm not leaving
because the church can't afford to keep me.
I'm leaving because I gotta keep roving.
It's who I am.
I'm TimTom, the roving rev.
I hear there's a lot of troubled teens
in Dayton, so I gotta move on.
But I just found you
and now you're leaving?
You gave me hope,
but now everything just seems impossible.
You know...
...if you take the "im" off of "impossible,"
what do you get?
- Im?
- No, the other half.
- Possible?
- That's right, Sue Heck. Possible.
You remembered my name.
You only met me twice
and you remembered my name.
That's why you have to stay.
You get me.
When you go to Dayton,
what's gonna happen to me?
I'll tell you what's gonna happen to you,
Sue Heck.
[SINGING]
You're gonna be just fine
You're gonna be all right
You don't have to change a thing
You're super keen and out of sight
You heard it from Reverend Tim Tom
Don't let people drag you down
There's a power up there
Can you feel it now?
[BIRDS CHIRPING]
Don't let them try to change you
- Don't let 'em chip away at who you are
- It's a miracle.
Thank you, old guitar dude.
Don't let them try to change you
Don't let 'em chip away at who you are
[LAUGHING AND CHATTERING]
Oh, Mike.
You looked into her eyes
and told her you understand?
- You can't do that to a woman.
- Yeah, apparently not.
I guess all this with a personality
is too much.
I need to hold some back.
Honestly, though, nothing happened.
- Stop saying that. I know.
- Really?
Yeah. That's the flip side
to having a husband who's honest.
I know you're never gonna lie.
- Oh, you don't know that.
- Yes, I do.
You don't know.
Lot of opportunities out there for a guy
like me who knows how to listen.
I'm done talking to you now.
I've been looking for you. You know...
...some people like to use ladybugs
as their pest control.
I like poison. Good old American poison.
FRANKIE: Yeah, Mike and Brick
were never gonna be social butterflies...
...but when times got rough,
they figured a way to help each other out.
- stock up with root vegetables
like potatoes and rutabagas...
BRICK:
Dad, I am terribly sorry to interrupt...
...but I have an emergency that requires
your immediate attention over there.
I'm sorry. My son needs my help.
Another time?
I look forward to it.
[SINGING]
Fine the way you are
You're gonna be fine the way you are
Gonna be fine
[ENGLISH - US - SDH]