"Modern Family" resembles a succulent meatball; indulge me for a moment in this analogy. A stellar meatball is not merely juicy, satisfying, and straightforward; it can also be elegantly revamped by gourmet twists like turkey or lentils. Conversely, the subpar ones are often dominated by breadcrumbs. Of late, I find "Modern Family" to be approximately half breadcrumbs—a proportion that is much too high. Recent episodes have been overloaded with cloyingly "instructive" scenes. I cherish the fact that "Modern Family" has revived such moments for prime-time viewing, but at times, it seems they are so preoccupied with nailing these moments that they forget to weave in the humor.
This episode commenced with promise. Admittedly, Phil's purchase of a convertible is a tired television trope, but "Modern Family" has a knack for breathing new life into such clichés. The narrative about Cam and Mitchell misplacing Lily's beloved stuffed animal, Bunny, within the labyrinthine Los Angeles subway system, resonated as a relatable family fiasco we can all empathize with (tear up for Lily! My parents once mistakenly packed all my toys in a garbage bag right before a trip, and some insensitive garbage collector swooped in when they weren't looking, causing me to lose all my toys). When Lily, gazing at her squabbling parents, simply stated, "I want Bunny," the comedy was pure and unadulterated. She is undeniably adorable. Know who isn't looking particularly adorable? Cam. I adore him, but I don't think turning 40 has been kind to him. He appeared utterly exhausted, even before he dozed off with his eyes half-open while discussing Lily's sleepless night with Mitchell.
Transitioning to our main storyline: Jay embarks on a journey to Pebble Beach for a reunion with his former football cronies, eager to reminisce about a golden era in his life, even if, as Gloria astutely points out, it wasn't all sunshine and rainbows for those who weren't straight, white males. Jay seems thrilled about the trip, and when Gloria inquiries about it, he reveals that he's somewhat of a legend among his peers, and he yearns to live up to that reputation. Upon hearing this, I presumed he meant that unlike the others, he had matured and amassed great wealth, anticipating a climax involving Jay encountering a bunch of grizzled old football vets who revered him.
Such was not to be. Gloria, Manny, and Jay encounter numerous hurdles en route to Pebble Beach. Initially, Gloria is terrified of the private plane Jay has chartered. Subsequently, their car breaks down. Then, the mechanic offers them a ride in his decrepit helicopter—hardly a viable option. Resigning themselves to a motel, Manny gripes about the significant drop in quality when the 'H' in hotel morphs into the 'M' in motel. Frustrated, Jay utters the only line that genuinely elicited laughter from me in this episode: "When I met you, you were eating cereal out of a bucket." Jay persists in his quest to reach Pebble Beach, suggesting they hitch a ride on a moving freight train for a "hobo adventure." Gloria finally reaches her breaking point—she refuses to endure any more trials merely to fulfill Jay's desire to be worshipped by his old buddies. Then, Jay confesses: perhaps he wasn't as cool as he portrayed himself, perhaps he spent more time on the bench than on the field, perhaps he needs to introduce Gloria to these guys because that's the only way they'll believe he's married to such a stunning wife. Realizing Jay intended to use her as a trophy, Gloria finally agrees to embark on his adventure, and they vow to make it to Pebble Beach together.
Now, my excitement reached new heights anticipating the astonishment etched on those veteran footballers' visages upon encountering Gloria, but alas, that marked the curtain call for this particular segment! One might deem Gloria's epiphany regarding Jay's reunion inclination as the conclusion of this narrative arc, yet it left me yearning for just one more twist. Mitchell and Cameron deceived Lily about Bunny's whereabouts, subsequently abandoning their rescue mission upon witnessing her nestled in the arms of a homeless man, whose disconcertingly damp cough resonated through her fur. As for Claire, she embarked on a joyride in the convertible, relishing the day only to misplace the keys—a twist that, while somewhat gratifying, fit snugly into the typical Phil-Claire plot twist mold. Both narratives were amusing yet foreseeable.
Witnessing Claire enjoying herself sans motherly duties was delightful. I believed the show had potential to delve deeper—perhaps with surf music playing in the backdrop—which could have intensified the humor when Claire's carefree spree culminated in her misplacing the keys. Modern Family expertly showcases how Claire's meticulousness stems from her need to maintain composure, so imagining the hilarious chaos that could ensue if she truly let loose was captivating. Similarly, her transition from scolding neighboring car occupants about never owning such a vehicle to spontaneously driving up the coast lacked substantial elaboration. I longed to see Claire teetering on the brink of a meltdown, propelled by the car's inconvenience, ultimately achieving liberation through that precipice. Can you envision Claire, during her errands, reaching her breaking point and hurling her dry-cleaning out the convertible's window, her hair billowing wildly in the wind? Some may argue that such a scene is too over-the-top for Modern Family, where humor stems from plausible, everyday predicaments befalling its characters. Fair point; I wouldn't picture Claire as a Pacific Coast Highway litterbug either. But then again, how many mechanics actually possess helicopters in their garages? (Serious inquiry: is this a common occurrence I'm unaware of?)
I was relieved that this episode was relatively devoid of the moral lessons that sometimes water down its humor, resembling a meal light on grass-fed turkey but heavy on breadcrumbs. Without the responsibility of this recap, however, I suspect I'd have swiftly forgotten it, my thoughts drifting as soon as the credits for Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23 began to roll.
