What I’m Watching: Modern Family

Modern Family: Season 4, Episode 8 “Mistery Date” (B+)

This episode was most fun because of the pairs into which it segmented its cast. Phil having the house to himself (where was Haley, exactly?) would mean that he would spend an inordinate amount of wiring his iPad to control everything, and a suggestion to go out and socialize from Claire turned into an accidental rollercoaster ride for Matthew Broderick’s fragile David. While it was perhaps too obvious that he and Phil had different ideas of what was going on, it’s hard to deny the brilliance of the writing that enabled pretty much everything Phil said to be a double entendre. I most enjoyed Phil’s reaction to David kissing him, at first puzzled and then finally aware of just how the confusion had arisen. Claire being too competitive on behalf of Alex is nothing new, but it was fun to hear her brag about her cushion. As always, Cameron is excessive in all that he does, and his mural was extreme, but apparently glorious enough to please Gloria and heinous enough to allow Jay peace of mind in terms of parting with his office. Mitchell trying hard not to be baited by Jay’s comparison of him to a girl were entertaining, and he did manage to hold out for a while. The funniest part of the whole episode was the intense Bar Mitzvah crashing efforts of Manny and Luke to find the girl who smiled at Manny. Sorting through three Bar Mitzvahs was amusing, and Luke calling Manny Bubbe and explaining that latkes are hash browns was hilarious. The final photobooth shot, with Luke being pulled out by the security guard, was a great ending note for a very funny episode.