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24 Episodes 2011 - 2012
After opening with a guest appearance by Ray Romano as an intrusive schlub during romantic moments for Frankie (Patricia Heaton) and Mike (Neil Flynn), Season 3 finds the hectic life of the Heck house finally breaking Frankie as she heads for mom's to decompress after discovering Axl's (Charlie McDermott) toenail clippings at the bottom of a bag of chips. Happier days follow for the tireless matron of this hilarious and heart-felt middle-class sitcom, including proudly volunteering to work (in Terre Haute?) for the Indianapolis-hosted Super Bowl; pouring herself into a local performance of "Wizard of Oz" even though Sue (Eden Sher) was cut from the cast; and re-evaluating her life's "business" after an inspired sermon at a new church. As usual, Mike is a calming influence for the clan, providing dating advice for Axl; Halloween costume tips for Sue when he discovers she is "growing up"; and drills to help Brick (Atticus Shaffer) prepare for a spelling bee. Elsewhere, Sue expects a big leap-year celebration for her Feb. 29 birthday, Brick has issues with the Presidential Fitness Test, and Axl flips out when one of his buddies asks Sue to the prom.
Episode 1
Wed, Sep 21, 2011 30 mins
In Part 1 of the third-season opener, the Hecks goes on a camping trip, which sparks honeymoon memories for Frankie and Mike, whose honeymoon campout was spoiled by Mike's gloomy former classmate (Ray Romano).
Episode 2
Wed, Sep 21, 2011 30 mins
Conclusion. The Hecks goes on a camping trip, which sparks honeymoon memories for Frankie and Mike, whose honeymoon campout was spoiled by Mike's gloomy former classmate (Ray Romano).
Episode 3
Wed, Sep 28, 2011 30 mins
Mike asks Brick's new teacher (Chord Overstreet) why he's excusing his son from gym class. Meanwhile, Sue earns a pile of tardy slips because of a prank Axl plays on her; and Frankie and Mike disagree about who's in charge of their family.
Episode 4
Wed, Oct 5, 2011 30 mins
A family member embarrasses Frankie, who then runs off and seeks comfort from her mother (Marsha Mason) while she waits for her brood to undergo the transformations she demands of them.
Episode 5
Wed, Oct 12, 2011 30 mins
Axl's slacker attitude regarding the PSATs angers Frankie, who makes him contemplate his future. Elsewhere, Sue sets her sights on becoming a cheerleader; and Mike wants Brick to defend himself against some school bullies.
Episode 6
Wed, Oct 19, 2011 30 mins
Frankie and Mike contemplate selling their house when it requires major repairs. Meanwhile, Axl fakes an illness in order to stay home from school, and then pretends he's had a speedy recovery; and Sue volunteers to do a school skit about safe driving.
Episode 7
Wed, Oct 26, 2011 30 mins
Sue's juvenile Halloween costume isn't a hit with the boys at school, so she turns to her dad for advice about guys. Meanwhile, Frankie chaperones a trick-or-treating adventure for Brick's social-skills group; and Axl plays a Halloween prank.
Episode 8
Wed, Nov 2, 2011 30 mins
Axl has an interview with a college-football scout, and his parents worry it won't go well. Elsewhere, Sue and Brick engage in a texting marathon with their aunt's cell phone.
Episode 9
Wed, Nov 16, 2011 30 mins
Frankie and Sue are cast in a community-theater production of "The Wizard of Oz," but things get awkward when Sue's role is in jeopardy. Elsewhere, Brick invites Uncle Rusty (Norm Macdonald) to participate in Special Friends Day at school.
Episode 10
Wed, Nov 23, 2011 30 mins
Frankie and her sister (Molly Shannon) clash over their opposing parenting styles while spending Thanksgiving with their folks (Marsha Mason and Jerry Van Dyke). Meanwhile, Mike coaches Axl on pickup lines; and Sue gets to gossip with the grown-ups.
Episode 11
Wed, Dec 7, 2011 30 mins
Frankie hosts a holiday party, despite Mike's protests. Meanwhile, Sue asks Rev. TimTom to explain Christmas to Brick; Mike struggles to keep Frankie's present a secret; and Axl and Bob clash as coworkers on a tree lot.
Episode 12
Wed, Jan 4, 2012 30 mins
Frankie offers a buffet meal to family members who can keep their New Year's resolutions for a full week, but this proves to be a real challenge when the resolutions include Sue trying out for less activities, Mike smiling more and Brick reading less.
Episode 13
Wed, Jan 11, 2012 30 mins
A relative's death awakens Frankie's desire to commemorate life's milestones. Elsewhere, Axl mistakes Brick's map project for food and eats it; and Sue learns a member of the wrestling team is interested in her.
Episode 14
Wed, Jan 18, 2012 30 mins
Frankie serves as an official volunteer at the Super Bowl, but her assignment proves disappointing. Meanwhile, the Hecks have fun with the Donahues' new car while their neighbors are away; and Sue declares her true feelings to her new beau.
Episode 15
Wed, Feb 8, 2012 30 mins
A skipped romantic gesture gets Mike on Frankie's bad side on Valentine's Day. Elsewhere, Axl and Brick struggle with writing assignments for school; and Sue is puzzled by her boyfriend's sudden lack of skill when it comes to kissing.
Episode 16
Wed, Feb 15, 2012 30 mins
Frankie desperately tries to get Sue tickets to a Justin Bieber concert. Meanwhile, Mike helps Brick prepare for a spelling bee; and Axl and his pals try to break a posted speed limit on foot.
Episode 17
Wed, Feb 22, 2012 30 mins
Axl, Sue and Brick ask their parents to ease up and stop hassling them, so Frankie and Mike oblige and enjoy the break from exercising constant parental authority.
Episode 18
Wed, Feb 29, 2012 30 mins
Sue anticipates a big birthday celebration since it's leap year and she'll get to celebrate on her actual birth date. Meanwhile, Frankie discovers Mike cares for a stray cat at work; and Axl becomes obsessed with vacuuming.
Episode 19
Wed, Mar 14, 2012 30 mins
Brick is hired to deliver newspapers. Elsewhere, Sue faces the challenges of a long-distance relationship; Frankie is shocked to learn that Mike hoards batteries; and Sue struggles with wearing some complicated headgear.
Episode 20
Wed, Apr 11, 2012 30 mins
Frankie is inspired by a church sermon about not hesitating to fulfill one's destiny, but she wrestles with how to achieve this goal. Her family, however, rises to the challenge.
Episode 21
Wed, May 2, 2012 30 mins
Sue bonds with her gawky guidance counselor, who inspires her to make some changes. Elsewhere, Frankie's displeased that Mike wants to assemble their new bed by himself; and Brick wants to complain to the U.S. president about student-fitness goals.
Episode 22
Wed, May 9, 2012 30 mins
Misfortune plagues Brick after he finds a four-leaf clover; Frankie seeks a caregiver for her aunt; Axl struggles with a prom-date dilemma and is also dismayed to learn that Sue is Darrin's prom date.
Episode 23
Wed, May 16, 2012 30 mins
Frankie gets Brick to snitch on his siblings, but Mike disapproves of the tattling. Meanwhile, Sue threatens to get Axl in trouble if he doesn't obey her commands; and Mike reluctantly goes to Brick's school for Parent Day.
Episode 24
Wed, May 23, 2012 30 mins
In the third-season finale, Mike's brother plans to get married at the Hecks' home, but he doesn't run the idea past them first. Meanwhile, Axl and his pals start their own company to get summer jobs; and Brick is mad he can't attend a classmate's party.