Modern Family: Clash of Swords (9x22)

This episode was really lackluster. It's not like I hated it, but it just felt kind of half-hearted, and while I can see how this is the finale, it didn't have the energy or emotion behind it to really land the big ideas of change it was going for.

Cons:

For example, Manny wants to go on a road trip, but he's nervous about it and keeps trying to recruit Haley and Alex to go with him. In the end, he makes a big speech about facing fears, that's meant to wrap up the overall theme of embracing change. But... it's a road trip. And we don't even get to see any of it. Seems kind of insignificant in the grand scheme of things. And the other big changes, which should have felt more momentous, kind of fall flat as well. Claire and Jay decide to merge their company with a new high-tech closet company. That's a big change, but the thing is, this show is so inconsistent with the way it looks at Claire's job that I just know it will only come up a few times, whenever they decide to do a plot addressing it. We won't see any real character change or growth from Claire or Jay. Mitchell and Cam decide to keep Cal, Pam's son, with them, since Pam is in jail. This is a big decision, taking on the responsibility of raising a child, but it's kind of done as an afterthought.

Mitchell and Phil go to a fan convention for a fictional TV-show that appears to be parodying Game of Thrones and Dungeons & Dragons. There were some fun moments in here, but I hate that all popular depictions of "nerd culture" fall into the same cliches. It's all lonely men who came there alone and have nothing else going on in their lives! Please. This stuff is practically mainstream now.

Pros:

That said, there were bits and pieces in all the stories that were quite fun. I liked Manny hugging Haley and then trying to kidnap her. I liked the way that Mitchell embraced his nerdiness and found his people, and then told Cam about it. I liked Gloria trying to do something nice for Joe, but getting shown up in spectacular fashion.

And, I will admit, I like some of the potential here. Cal could be a fun addition to the cast, one last child star who can make a splash in Modern Family's final season next year. I know this review is short, but real life is getting in the way today. In short, this episode could be good for its setup potential, but on its own merits it felt pretty flat and uninspired.

7/10