The Middle Pilot Revisited

Did anyone else completely forget that the title card used for nearly 200 episodes is a frame from the very first scene of the pilot?

A subtle reminder that it's been eight whole years since we first met the Hecks. (Is that... even a phone?)

Frankie must have done quite well during the rope climbing exercise in gym class!

Also, how have we gone three whole slides without mentioning that Frankie's in a superhero costume? Seriously, does anybody remember why Frankie's in a superhero costume?!

Speaking of Brick... OMG, look how young he was! He was a baby.

Never not peculiar, that one...

Say hello to fellow babies Sue and Axl!

"That's Sue. She's been going through an awkward stage — for the past 13 years."

Who's gonna break it to Frankie that Sue's awkward stage won't be ending anytime soon?

Never use Google Translate, kid. Rookie mistake!

Mike Heck, never one to sugarcoat things.

Remember when Saturday Night Live's Chris Kattan was a series regular for, like, three whole seasons? He popped up a few more times through Season 5, but then he just... vanished. 

It's amazing Frankie kept her job at Ehlert Motors as long as she did — especially after using a prospective buyer's test drive to pick Brick up from school...

The Hecks have never been more relatable than in this moment.

The first word Brick ever whispered aloud in the pilot? "Imperative. [Imperative!]" Mike tells him to cut it out, but he refuses: "I like it. It soothes me."

Some things just never change...

... or as Mrs. Reddick put it, "clinically quirky."

The Donahues don't make an appearance in the pilot, but their "awesome" kids get a shoutout. (Perhaps one of them might one day develop feelings for Sue?)

Still not quite as embarassing as Sue's short-lived stint working stage crew. (Yikes!)

Oh, that's right. Brick had some sort of book report due... the following Monday. 

Whoops!

Then breaking down at work in front of another customer...

Then getting duped into taking an expensive covertible for a joyride, only to have the car stolen!

Just ask Orson's oversized polyurethane cow!