*** EPISODE CHANGE ***

SUE FEELS A NEW SENSE OF FREEDOM NOW THAT AXL IS OUT OF THE HOUSE, BRICK AVOIDS THE MIDDLE SCHOOL BATHROOM, AND FRANKIE IS JEALOUS THAT AXL RETURNS MIKE'S CALLS AND TEXTS BUT NOT HERS, ON ABC'S "THE MIDDLE"

"Change in the Air" - The first day of school is upon the Heck family, and Sue finds herself feeling a sense of freedom she's never felt before with Axl not around to make her campus life miserable. But Brick, who is beginning middle school and afraid of getting a swirlie, avoids the bathroom at all costs. Meanwhile, Frankie becomes jealous of Mike when she discovers that Axl calls and returns his texts but won't do the same for her; and Sue's feelings for Darrin surface once again when Mike calls him over to help fix the air conditioner, on "The Middle," WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18 (8:00-8:30 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network. (Rebroadcast. OAD: 10/2/13)

Note: This episode replaces "The Drop Off."

"The Middle" stars Patricia Heaton as Frankie, Neil Flynn as Mike, Charlie McDermott as Axl, Eden Sher as Sue and Atticus Shaffer as Brick.

Guest starring are John Gammon as Darrin, Brock Ciarlelli as Brad Bottig, Christiann Castellanos as Angel, Bryce Hurless as Henry, Jake Netter as Theo, Bonnie Hellman as Ms. Harvey, Gary Kraus as coach, Matthew Jacob Wayne as Jonah, Joseph Ables as Sam and Christian Hutcherson as eighth grader.

"Change in the Air" was written by Jana Hunter & Mitch Hunter and directed by Blake T. Evans.

"The Middle" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format with a 5.1 channel surround sound. This program carries a TV-PG parental guideline.

For more information on "The Middle," visit ABC.com/TheMiddle