: Maintains the show’s signature mix of sincerity and suburban levity.
In season 5, episode 2, titled " Change in the Air ," the Heck family grapples with the shift in dynamics as Axl begins his first year of college. Despite the title "The Mortgage" sometimes being associated with this era due to the family's constant financial struggles, this specific episode focuses on the "growing pains" of the children moving into new stages of school. Episode Breakdown Frankie’s Texting Anxiety [S5E2] The Mortgage
: Mike tries to intervene, but his straightforward approach highlights the different ways parents communicate with college-age children. Sue’s Social Freedom : Maintains the show’s signature mix of sincerity