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

Modern Family: Season 7, Episode 22 “Double Click” (B-)

So much for a less formulaic and choreographed hour, gone from the creative setting of a train and returned to a far more predictable place that feels so much like a typical sitcom season finale. Claire’s predicament at work was her own fault since she had a tough time balancing being the boss and being liked, so obsessed with having the high score on the game that it was more important to her to claim the title back than to deal with the issue of not being able to fire the man who beat her. Jay’s attempts to seem competent in his new undefined role were entertaining, particularly when it came to his total inability to process the concept of a double-click and his choice to do the wrong thing when it came to a paper jam since he didn’t know how to make copies. His stirring pep talk to Claire did work, proof that in some ways he’s still got it. Mitchell made quite the sacrifice to make Cam happy by bringing Lily along so that the two of them could spend the summer in Missouri with him, and I do hope that those misadventures don’t account for too much of season eight. Phil’s inability to deal with Luke growing up was awfully exaggerated, and the family’s support of his family camp excitement felt like it probably wasn’t all that genuine. What does Alex have to do to be noticed anyway? This season, like last season, was uneven at best and regularly disappointing, and I do hope this show can at some point return to its former level of quality.

Season grade: C+
Season MVP: Ty Burrell