"Modern Family" seldom kicks off with a tableau that embodies the essence of familial harmony; such scenes are typically reserved for the heartwarming denouement, once the evening's life lessons have been internalized. However, this year's festive Christmas episode breaks the mold, commencing with a cozy, idyllic scene. Amidst a breathtakingly beautiful, sun-drenched day, the entire clan lounges lazily by the shimmering pool, even Stella, the mischievous French bulldog stealing the spotlight. Yet, this serene ambiance is abruptly shattered when Mitchell announces the receipt of a voicemail from Dede, canceling their Christmas plans. The ensemble takes turns poking fun at Claire and Mitchell's erratic mother and her cringe-worthy holiday newsletter (a tad too poetic for Manny's refined palate), but her abrupt absence triggers a poignant realization – this marks their final day united during the Yuletide season, a Friday on December 16, 2011. Embracing the notion that a family that skips school together stays together, Phil proposes an impromptu "Express Christmas"©, assigning family members tasks to hastily cobble together a Christmas celebration for that very evening. As Claire, Mitchell, Cam, and Gloria stroll by, Phil exclaims, invoking the names of Santa's reindeer, "On Dasher, on Dancer, on Prancer, on Vixen," in a whimsical nod to their impending adventure. Sometimes, stereotyping via reindeer works wonders.
Where Thanksgiving revolved around revisiting familiar ground and familiar pairings, Christmas serves as a platform to delve into lesser-explored relationships, presenting the cast with fresh, dynamic interactions. Coupled with a breakneck pace – dinner at the Dunphys beckoned in mere four hours! – this episode allowed the actors to truly shine, despite a few individual plot threads missing the mark. Here's how the groups were divided and how they tackled their assignments:
The emergence of a new power duo within "Modern Family" is undeniable – Mitchell and Alex. Both intelligent and meticulous, they share a picky disposition when it comes to selecting the perfect Christmas tree. Their rapport is so enchanting that even their whimsical rendition of "O Symmetry" to the tune of "O Christmas Tree" is easily forgiven. When Alex, misunderstanding the tree vendor's intentions, assumes he's trying to sell them a pink tree due to her uncle's sexuality, she unleashes a fiery tirade, earning Mitchell's approval, "Amazing." This comical misunderstanding is punctuated by Lily, delivering her first memorable one-liner with impeccable timing: "I have two daddies!" After settling on a passable tree and securing it onto the car, disaster strikes as it tumbles off the rack into the bustling traffic. Gloria, unfortunately, becomes the first casualty, running over the tree. By the time they return to the Dunphys', they're left to lug the tree in, now in disarray, piece by piece.
Luke finds himself paired with his step-grandmother, Gloria, for a daring mission up to the dusty, spider-infested attic. Dede, frightened by the prospect, needs them to retrieve an angel ornament she crafted specially for Mitchell and Claire. As Gloria ventures into the attic, her fears are justified by the bizarre discoveries (who knew the dog butler would be awaiting her there?), but Luke remains unperturbed—his inability to differentiate between Gloria's exaggerated "Luuuuuuke!" and her urgent "looooook!" renders him indifferent to her panic. Their quest seems accomplished until, after a harrowing journey with a Christmas tree in tow, Gloria spots a spider lurking within the angel and, in a panic, tosses it out the sunroof—where it meets an unfortunate fate under the wheels of their vehicle. Upon returning to the Dunphys', the angel is a far cry from its former glory, resembling "the lady she once was, long before ascending to angelic status."
"Cam-and-Jay," a name that rolls off the tongue like a whimsical birdcall... or perhaps the title of the fourth installment in the "Hunger Games" saga. Cameron, adorned in his festive Christmas attire (a sweater that speaks volumes through its myriad stains), attempts to share a heartfelt moment with Jay. While Cam's memory for minute details from long-past events is astonishing, he conveniently forgets that Jay is, well, Jay—a man of few words and fewer sentiments. As they wrap gifts, Cam presents Jay with a cork from a wine bottle they shared during their first football game together. Jay's failure to recall this supposedly monumental occasion wounds Cam deeply: "I have a problem! I feel too much!" he laments. Jay's dismissive response, "put a cork in it," earns a chorus of silent agreements, even from Stella, who looks on in bewilderment.
Recall those eerie Target commercials, where a woman in a red tracksuit trains with manic intensity for Black Friday? This segment feels like Target has stuffed Modern Family's stocking full of gifts this holiday season. At the store, Claire pumps Haley up with a motivational speech: "Your entire life has been building up to this moment... Be yourself." Embracing her unique "gift," Haley fills their cart in record time, only to realize they're missing a nightlight for Lily. She dashes off to grab the last one, only to find it snatched by a kind gay man. With a sly glance at the camera, Haley follows a Target employee down an aisle. Moments later, she returns clad in the store's signature red polo shirt, offering to assist the man with his purchases while he continues shopping. Did she chloroform the employee in the break room? Flash her bikini top? Either scenario is chilling. Nevertheless, the scheme works ("Ring her up, Madison!"), and their mission is triumphantly accomplished.
