Alright, let's dive back into the world of "Modern Family" post their season premiere. We've witnessed that highly anticipated—perhaps overly hyped—kiss, and now, we're left scratching our heads wondering, "What comes next?" Recall the season one cliffhanger? Mitch's epic battle with the bird, Phil's JumboTron kiss with Gloria, and a mud fight that ended with everyone hugging it out? Remember how peculiar it felt that no major mysteries lingered, no loose ends dangling to potentially tie up later? Well, here we are again, teetering on the edge of uncertainty. What's the bigger picture amidst the delightful, yet predictable, character arcs?
Last night, such ponderings filled our thoughts, until BAM! An earthquake struck, and for the first time, it seemed plausible that disaster could strike the Pritchett-Dunphy-Tucker-Delgado clan! It was terrifying, fleetingly so. Then, the humor resumed, and relief washed over us—everyone was safe. We granted them another week to sort it all out.
The Pritchett-Dunphys
Claire and Haley's tug-of-war persists, revolving around Haley's skewed study-to-socializing ratio. Meanwhile, Claire and Phil are still at loggerheads over his DIY ineptitude. This fiery tension peaks when a plumber arrives to mend a leaky tub that's been dripping since Luke's infancy. Fate then slams the door shut—literally—locking Claire and the plumber inside.
Enter: a symphony of shouting through the door, Phil's clumsy attempts to rescue them, and Haley's malicious meddling. Amidst the chaos, the earthquake strikes, jogging Phil's memory about his deceit regarding an unanchored heavy cabinet in the living room. The cabinet's subsequent toppling must remain concealed to preserve his ego, preventing him from coming clean to Claire. As Phil fumbles around, conjuring excuses to keep Claire and the plumber imprisoned while attempting to fix the cabinet, Claire and Haley continue their war of words through the door, complete with classic lines like, "You're grounded for a week!" and "Oh, that's stellar parenting!" Even Alex, affectionately known as Lesbian Sandals, joins the fray, marking the second consecutive week of a three-way screech-fest among the Dunphy women.
Luke, ever the innovative problem-solver, slides a baking sheet filled with gooey brown liquid under the stuck door, quipping, "Mom, I brought you soda, but no straws, so you'll have to sip like a cat." Claire and the plumber eventually escape, sharing a heartfelt moment where Claire realizes Haley likely feels about her the same way Claire did about her own mother—crazy and somewhat despised. Wowzers! The plumber also patches up the tub and would've anchored the cabinet ages ago if Claire had just asked. Perhaps she should've tied the knot with him instead!
In the world of the Pritchett-Delgados, Jay, despite his past misadventure where mocking his wife's spiritual beliefs landed him slapping chicken breasts and donning outdated footwear as a necklaces, finds himself once again teasing Gloria about her church attendance. This time, however, his punishment is less severe: an earthquake strikes, and Gloria, convinced it's divine retribution for Jay's mass absenteeism, remains steadfast in her belief. Undeterred, Jay proceeds to the golf course, accompanied by Manny, who has recently decided that organized religion might not be for him either.
As expected, Manny's decision to "skip Sunday school" soon morphs into a broader philosophical inquiry, challenging the core beliefs of Christianity. While Jay swings away, Manny bombards him with probing theological questions: "Are you unperturbed about God's wrath? Unconcerned about Hell? ... Does everyone, even the wicked, ascend to Heaven? ... What if there's a mix-up in paperwork, sending you to the wrong afterlife? I was once mistakenly enrolled in a girls' health class and had to endure a distressing film. ... Do you comprehend menstruation, Jay? Because I certainly do!"
Fortunately, all ends well, but one can't help but wonder: When Gloria hinted at divine punishment for Jay's arrogance, the specter of impending doom loomed large. Did Jay's recent escapades—such as last week's manly kisses and encounters with Colombian pig intestines—finally push his fragile health over the brink? Would he collapse on the greens, plunging Manny into an existential crisis of monumental proportions? Would Gloria, in her grief, transform into an alluring yet eccentric widow, communicating solely with her deceased grandmother, the voice of God, and other ethereal beings visible only to her? Perhaps her breasts serve as some kind of supernatural receivers! Time will tell.
Turning to the Pritchett-Tuckers, here's another delightful surprise we had forgotten to anticipate: Nathan Lane guest-starring as Cameron and Mitchell's excessively gay friend, Pepper. Pepper's over-the-top themed costume brunches are driving a wedge between the couple, with this week's theme being "Oscar Wilde & Crazy!" These themed events, along with others they grumble about (like "Seder-day Night Fever!"), sound like the epitome of fun that we'd eagerly attend. While Cameron is thrilled at the prospect (what dressed-up foodie occasion wouldn't enthrall him?), Mitchell drags his feet. He waits until they're all attired in Victorian garb, including Lily, to start squabbling.
Their minor spat is abruptly halted by the earthquake, leading to a preposterous lie told to Pepper. This fib results in Pepper visiting to assist with nonexistent water damage. In turn, Mitchell concocts another outlandish tale about why he and Cameron didn't want to attend the brunch despite being dressed for it, exploiting the fact that Cameron and Pepper once went out ("One date—it was the '90s. We were mourning Princess Diana. I was emotionally adrift"). This revelation hints at lingering feelings Cameron might still have for Pepper, paving the way for Nathan Lane's potential return! Could this be the spark the show needed to build towards something significant?
