What I’m Watching: Modern Family

Modern Family: Season 7, Episode 14 “The Storm” (B-)

This episode wasn’t as bad as some recent installments, and at least it had the backdrop of the storm to make it a bit more creative, even though that did end up making it just as gimmicky as usual. The pre-storm events that set things in motion were actually pretty random, as Phil scared himself when he was dressed as a clown and ended up lost in a hall of mirrors, Cameron and Mitchell tried to pander to a trend-setting classmate of Lily’s, and Alex and her friend trying to solve an enormously complicated equation that was difficult even before Phil accidentally did everything possible to sabotage and ruin her work. Phil trying to prove himself as a man has never been the best use of the man who probably remains this show’s best performer, Ty Burrell, and so that didn’t do much for me. It was a treat to see Lily stand up to her popular classmate and for Cameron and Mitchell to move on as a result too. Manny being concerned about his manhood and Claire accidentally getting an unrequested look at his body was a thoroughly uncomfortable plotline that didn’t present much in the way of entertainment. Haley trying to spice things up with Andy because he seemed to be ignoring her was a moderately enjoyable further exploration of their relationship, which continues to be good even though they’re very, very different people. Luke’s revenge on Alex for treating him as stupid at the end of the episode was great, since there’s no way that his ultra-intellectual sister would stop to think that maybe he just took a picture of their work before it all got fried the first time.