What I’m Watching: Modern Family

Modern Family: Season 3, Episode 17 “Leap Day” (B+)

I love that there are so many TV episodes this year about leap day! Just like his enthusiasm about the iPad, Phil got very into the notion of leap day (not sleep day), as usual much more excited than everyone else. Unfortunately, the special day coincided with a dreaded day – the day he most feared landed on the day he most loved – when all three of the women in his household got on the same cycle. Luke’s fake blood overdose was quite hilarious, and I like that the aggressive nature of Claire and her daughters ended up doing just the trick at the amusement park at the end of the episode. Cameron is just the person to have his birthday on February 29th, overdramatic as always and insistent on celebrating the number of birthdays rather than the number of years. Mitchell throwing a “Wizard of Oz” surprise party ruined by the memory of the devastating tornado back home was very funny, and I enjoyed how it all led to the scene on the boat. Cameron’s reaction to Mitchell having reserved the boat only hours ago was typical, and, as usual, he put his foot in his mouth when he found out that Mitchell had actually been hard at work for quite some time. Gloria punching the captain when he called Jay grandpa was great, and I loved it most because of Luke’s reaction to her statement that “no one calls him grandpa!” This show is superb with its comic timing, and its characters are simply the best.