What I’m Watching: Modern Family (Season Finale)

Modern Family: Season 2, Episode 24 “The One That Got Away” (B+)

After closing last season with an attempt at a family portrait, trying to bring the family all together for their patriarch’s birthday is a fine way to send out the second and equally fantastic year. Of course the patience-challenged Jay would want to spend his birthday out on a boat in the middle of a lake all by himself, and of course it would somehow go wrong. I love the unparalleled nerdiness of Claire and Mitchell that shines through when they try to relive their dorky childhoods, and watching them trapped in their old backyard by a fearsome dog, talking about whether Manny will get part of Jay’s inheritance, was a blast. I love Phil’s excitement at people thinking that Gloria was his wife, and it was a nice twist to have him discover that his nemesis really thought that Claire was the best anyone can do, and his overexerted fawning over her was very amusing. Cameron giving Manny some rather sketchy-sounding advice was perhaps a bit too blatant, but Eric Stonestreet makes it work. I’m happy that Cameron and Mitchell want to have another child – a boy – and I look forward to that plotline next season. Manny saving the day by bringing Jay’s boat into the pool was sweet, and I love that this family prevails through anything obstacle. This has been a stellar season, once again proving to be one of today’s top comedies. I’m eagerly awaiting season three, and, in my opinion, the fall couldn’t come soon enough!

Season grade: A
Season MVP: Do I have to pick?