Modern Family: Alone Time (8x21)

Yeah, this was a cute episode. Modern Family is often strongest when it has a theme that ties together the various plot threads that doesn't overshadow the story and character work going on. So while each of the plot threads had something to do with escaping, the stories also stood on their own.

Cons:

The most slap-stick of the plot threads was Cam's. He feels lonely without Mitchell, so he goes over to spend time with Gloria, Manny, and Joe, causing various hilarious problems and then quickly stepping in to fix them. I didn't have a big problem with this plot thread, but it also had the least amount of laughs and the most amount of over-the-top goofiness that just didn't really work for me in this instance. I think I mainly didn't like it because I feel like I have a better idea for what could have been done with this plot thread. If we're looking at a need to escape from familial obligations in the other plot threads, why not use this chance to explore Cam's new dynamic as an uncle, with his sister staying in the unit above Cam and Mitchell's house? Maybe Pam is gearing up to have her first day away from the baby, and Cam has to babysit? I feel like maybe there was a better story lurking around here that could have fit the episode's themes.

Pros:

I did like the stuff with Joe and his cape, though. It was cute how Cam made the burns and oil stains into badges of honor for Joe the superhero. Also, I liked the girl that Manny was attempting to court. When Cam tries to make conversation and then starts freaking out about the burning cape while the girl is talking about how she's not going to a school dance, she just says, without looking up from her phone: "It's not that big a deal, I mean people are starving." I just really liked her line delivery.

Phil and Claire's story feels the most relatable to me in some ways, as I am a grown person living with my parents, and my life is in a place of flux. I don't think my parents hate having me there, but their lives certainly are quite different from their own parents' lives when their kids first grew up. Phil and Claire anticipate an evening home alone, but instead Luke comes barging in and screws up on fixing the banister, Haley brings by Dylan with his new wife and step-children and then becomes hysterical about how she's alone forever, and a stressed Alex escapes from school to study at home, getting increasingly cruel the more stressed she becomes. Phil and Claire run away from home but don't make it very far before accidentally running over somebody's graduation decorations. They discuss how their life looks so different from what they expected when they first started out, but how maybe they can create something wonderful out of it all the same.

I like the idea that Phil and Claire were waiting to be empty-nesters, but things kept getting in the way. By the end of the episode, they realize that they need to carve out time for themselves and live the life they want to, despite having three adult children still living at home. They watch Thelma and Louise together on a make-shift projector, finding that moment of quiet togetherness they were craving. This is a great sentiment, and it speaks to the reality of being parents. Your life will never be the same, but that doesn't mean your own person-hood is completely gone. I also liked all of the frenetic energy of the kids at home. Luke got his head stuck in the banister, Haley cries about losing Dylan as a safety net, and Alex yells at everybody else for distracting her while she studies - in the middle of the living room. Go to your room, Alex! Sheesh!

I think my favorite plot was Mitchell and Jay's. For all of the familial relationships explored in this show, theirs is perhaps the most complex, as we have a homophobic older man who has always kept his gay son at a bit of a distance while never actually becoming estranged from him. They're on good terms - great, even - but neither of them can escape the memories of what Mitchell's childhood was truly like. Mitchell decides he needs some time away from the chaos of his home life, and despite Cam's feelings being slightly hurt, Mitchell is given permission to go to the club for the day, relax by the pool, and read his book. Jay, thinking that Cam won't allow Mitchell to get away, decides to copy his idea for a relaxing day alone. They end up trailing each other through the day, each staunchly refusing to admit that they're having a vacation day together, until the very end when they admit that over the years they've gotten to be more and more similar. The episode ends with Jay and Mitchell playing a game of catch so that Mitchell can connect more with Lily.

There were so many wonderful moments here. I love that they were reading the same book, and their reaction to the ending was similarly disgruntled. They order the same thing at the restaurant, despite sitting at different tables right next to each other. Mitchell notices that Jay got a manicure, while Jay notes that Mitchell is trying to escape from his family - they've both rubbed off on each other in a weird way. And of course the scene of them playing catch was delightful. Finally, after a horrific series of attempts when Mitchell was a child, they can get through a simple game of catch without tears or ridicule!

That's all I've got for this one. For the first time in a long while, I wasn't annoyed by the kids, but that's probably because their antics were only being used to highlight the struggles and emotions of their parents. With the news that Modern Family has been renewed for two more seasons, I do hope that Haley, Alex, Luke, and Manny all have a more defined role to play next season. But for now, onward to Season Eight's finale!

8.5/10