Leap Day seems to be a holiday that thrives more on television screens than in real life. While "30 Rock" wove an intricate legend around it and "Parks and Recreation" rejoiced in leap baby Jerry Gergich's Sweet Sixteen, last night's "Modern Family" ventured into this sitcom-friendly concept of February 29. The episode promised to reveal how the family would embrace a day meant to shatter routines and embrace adventure—a day dedicated to extraordinary deeds. Yet, it was somewhat deflating to witness "Modern Family" clinging to its familiar confines. Rarely does an episode of "Modern Family" completely falter—its scripting is too ingenious, its actors too exceptional to deliver subpar performances—nevertheless, last night's installment lacked the emotional depth that the series is renowned for. Those heartfelt, authentic flickers amidst the chaos are what make "Modern Family" so relatable, yet they were conspicuously absent. Perhaps we're just being overly critical.
Leap Day, it transpires, unleashes a genuine horror film scenario within the Dunphy abode. It commences with Phil and Claire gearing up for a day of daring escapades—they intend to skip work and school to take their immediate family, along with Manny, to a trapeze class ("I can be spontaneous every four years," Claire boasts). All seems well until a Sarah McLachlan ASPCA commercial airs, causing the three Dunphy females to sink into the couch in Tears. Why? One might assume it's because they're human, and who can resist shedding a tear at the sight of those poor, abused dogs? Seriously, give it a try. We'll wait. However, Phil notices their somber moods, short fuses, and overall emotionality, leading him to a single conclusion: their menstrual cycles have synchronized, forming an unholy trinity of female chaos. Clearly, the boys cannot proceed with trapeze lessons amidst these crazy women.Recall that tender, nuanced moment last week when Phil and Haley embraced after Phil learned of her virginity status? Well, forget that. Here come the period jokes. Alex even pours orange juice over her cereal and accidentally slips two socks onto one foot—women become foolish when they're on their period!
But amidst the worn-out sitcom tropes, there lies a clever twist that elevates this familiar fare to laugh-out-loud heights: it embraces the guise of a horror movie. Enter Phil, a bundle of nerves, accompanied by his sidekicks Manny and Luke, as they scheme to outwit the treacherous females lurking in their midst ("She's gone to great lengths to conceal the monster she's become," Phil warns ominously). Claire, ever the rational voice, repeatedly pleads with Phil to confront her like a sensible human being, rather than tiptoeing around and driving her insane. Yet, alas, rationality takes a backseat! (Isn't it peculiar how, in this horror-themed episode, Claire is far less daunting than her usual self? Here, she's sensible, not shrill or mean!)
When their first bid to ditch the ladies and embark on a trapeze adventure alone fails, it momentarily seems as though Luke will be stranded at home with the zombie-like females. Manny, the voice of reason, shrugs it off and heads back home. Phil, however, nuttier than any of the women, conspires with Luke to feign a minor injury using fake blood, providing them with an alibi to "visit the doctor." But Luke's clumsiness results in an overabundance of fake blood, transforming the bathroom into a gruesome murder scene straight out of a slasher film, thereby foiling their second escape attempt.
Later, despite Phil feigning a touch of PMS and the Dunphys reconciling with heartfelt kisses, don't be deceived. It's patently clear that Phil remains petrified of the monthly evil lurking just beneath the surface. How amusing! A pity he could never broach the subject with Claire like a mature adult.
In related news, it transpires that Cam is, in fact, a perpetual ten-year-old at heart (doesn't this explain so much?!). Yes, Cam shares a birthday with Jerry Gergich – leap day marks Cam's 10th or 40th birthday, depending on whom you ask. Knowing Cam's aversion to mundane evenings, Mitchell has been meticulously planning an extravagant 'Wizard of Oz'-themed surprise party for ages. And, as expected, nothing goes as planned. Cam snoops around, questions Mitchell's party-planning prowess, and chaos ensues in the most whimsical manner.
As the house is magically transformed into a dazzling technicolor wonderland reminiscent of Oz, Cam arrives briefly to remind Mitchell of the devastating tornado that ravaged his hometown last month. Only then does Mitchell realize the insensitive nature of greeting guests with a Vornado fan blowing in their faces! Amidst this, two men approach the house, greeting each other with a simple "Hey." "Hey," echoes the response. "We're the monkeys," they announce. This must surely be one of the only flying monkeys/Monkees jokes in recent memory, and on such a poignant night – rest in peace, Davy Jones. Moreover, this scene allows Jesse Tyler Ferguson to truly shine, with his endearing "I love you dance" to distract inquisitive Cam, and the resigned yet graceful manner in which he links arms with the actors portraying the Scarecrow and the Tin Man, walking up the yellow brick road towards the house.
Plan B unfolds as an impromptu yet refined evening cruise—a pity, really, since while the pier presents a picturesque facade, it exudes an aroma akin to "vomit conjoining waste in a olfactory wedding ceremony within my nostrils." Blame it on Luke! This ghastly stench, reminiscent of a deceased whale, coupled with an excess of revelers (an assortment of random extras loitering in the backdrop, even outnumbering Pepper and Longines' absence), and Gloria's fist meeting the Captain's countenance (more details on that later), conspiracy against the elegance of Plan B.
Mitchell endeavors to elucidate to Cam the cascade of chaos that ensued, only to be met with Cam's unappreciative, childlike whining. "You're a 40-year-old man!" Mitchell exclaims in frustration. Ensuing is what feels like the longest hush in the annals of Modern Family—perhaps a fleeting two seconds? Will Mitchell pierce through Cam's fog? Will Cam come to his senses, recognizing his pettiness and absurdity? Alas, the cyclical squabble between Mitchell and Cameron persists. Cam weeps tears of melodramatic despair, akin to a toddler throwing a tantrum, prompting Mitchell to realize that what Cam truly craves on his midlife-crisis-tinged 40th birthday is to revert to his carefree days of being ten. Thus, they set off for the amusement park. The resolution lacks depth, too predictable, yet it concludes on a somewhat heartwarming note, "You’re still that sexy 8-year-old I fell in love with."
If the leap-day episode showcases grown men behaving like children, Jay emerges as the sole soul daring to embark on the 366th day by embodying adulthood. Modern Family delights in exploring the essence of masculinity, particularly through the lens of Jay, the stoic, emotionally reserved patriarch. But in this chapter, it's perfectly alright for genuine men to don pink robes, groan over scalding soup, or wince at a salty cracker-induced finger nick. Above all, it's commendable to choose the path of higher ground. When Gloria spars with a boisterous soccer fan at a sports bar, Jay refrains from defending her honor. Instead, he extends a beer to the fellow and relocates Gloria to another table. Gloria, ever fiery, is initially disappointed by Jay's foregoing of the "macho protecting-his-woman routine." It isn't until she receives a call from unstable Javier, cancelling his visit to see Manny, that she realizes she's grateful for Jay's evolution beyond combativeness. Perhaps, true manliness stems from being a mature, rational human being. A noble growth for Jay—just steer clear of addressing him as "Gramps," or you'll face Gloria's wrath.
