What I’m Watching: Modern Family

Modern Family: Season 8, Episode 9 “Snow Ball” (B-)

Much of what happened in this episode we’ve seen in some form or another on this show before, but I feel like I could say that about anything on this show these days. Phil wanting desperately to find ways to spend time with his stern father-in-law is a frequent topic, and his desire to make Jay hang out with him when all he wanted was to sit down and curl up with a good book was typical. What I liked was how he didn’t hold back and suggested something he knew that Jay would actually love only to follow it up with a harsh reminder that such a thing didn’t actually exist. Claire and Gloria tried hard to create an unlikely romantic union that would relieve some pressures on them, but all credit is really due to Vanessa Bayer’s uptight parent for working up the courage to plant a big kiss on the principal and show the workability of that romance. Cam freaking out about the team pulling a prank on him was excessive and overplayed as usual, and of course it was Jay that ultimately got slimed while Cam celebrated the fact that his team did love him after all. Mitchell being confounded by the existence of a gay bully was somewhat entertaining, and it was funny that he ended up locking the kid in a locker as the only real temporary solution to the problem. Manny spending $8,000 on the dance instead of $800 was probably the best plotline, and leave it to Luke to lie his way through the fundraiser effort to make it all back, consistently talking over his cousin’s far most honest words.