Change

While the episode deems to deal with a person’s ability to change, the essence of the comedy comes from misunderstandings and misdirections.  Take Cameron, for example.  While he remains on the sidelines in the storylines, his good timing and infectious personality charms not one, but two characters looking change.

However, it is the storyline between Claire and Phil that truly hits home for viewers.  In many ways, they are the most traditional of the three families and often relay the most relatable message.  In this case, their power dynamic takes an interesting turn when Claire shows the first sign of vulnerability with technology.  They are not only funny; they often speak the truth for many couples out there.

Zing

‘Fifteen Percent’ has some of the most brilliant one-liners in recent memory.  It is not only the witty writing but the actors’ delivery that makes me laugh.  Actress Sofia Vergara could not be more fortunate in that her character suits her unlike anyone else.  Taking advantage of her accent is an excellent strategy for the show.

Modern Family never fails to entertain.  ‘Fifteen Percent’ is their best episode since ‘Fizbo‘.

Rating: 9.2/10

The Stream

For the most part, the storylines blend very well with each other, especially Jay and Mitchell’s dilemmas.  The comedy here is very, very situational.  At parts, it feels like a bit of a stretch (Jay and the dog, for example), but it doesn’t distract from the hilarity of the moment.

Given the circumstantial elements of the episode, the plot takes over the acting and the writing.  This is rather unusual for Modern Family, but given the results, I can’t really say I’m disappointed.

The Switch

An interesting juxtaposition of the episode is the comparison between Jay and Mitchell’s lifestyles.  Jay is inexplicably enamored with a dog butler, a distinctly abnormal choice to Gloria.  Meanwhile, Cameron’s sense of hospitality goes too far and brings in a Latino wedding into Mitchell’s house.  Had the storylines been given to the other family, this would seem rather conventional.

All in all, this is an improvement from the previous episode.  Modern Family is still one of the season’s premiere sitcoms.

Rating: 8.7/10

The Message

The tricky part about Modern Family is just like Grey’s Anatomy and Desperate Housewives, everything has to fit in a box while staying out of it.  For a show centered around one big family, it can be difficult to supplement every week with a meaningful yet original message.  ‘Up All Night’ feels like an episode where the message just doesn’t seem to mesh with the comedy.

Every individual storyline is entertaining, but as the episode attempts to string them together, the audience is left with an idea that goes like this: people can be stupid.  Not only is this obvious (hello, this is a situational comedy), it is more than a little undermining.

The Upside

I will say that the usual advantages to Modern Family still remains in this episode.  The cast is great, the chemistry is phenomenal, and there is even a big name actor to boost the tension (aka Benjamin Bratt).  Still, when a series is as great as Modern Family, the usual is not quite good enough to make an episode like ‘Up All Night’ memorable.

Modern Family relies on its balance between wacky, over-the-top comedy and sentimental hope.  When the sentiment goes awry, however, an episode like ‘Up All Night’ appears and leaves the comedy a little sour.

Rating: 7.9/10

The Consistent Kudos

There’s nothing new that I could compliment Modern Family about.  Once again, the young actors on the show are spectacularly hilarious.  The three families remain unique but come together at the last moment.  Plus, the Christmas episode of the season features a healthy dose of witty jokes.  It’s really all one needs from a sitcom.

The Real Christmas

These families’ Christmas Eves are anything but ordinary.  For me, the dysfunctional take on national holidays tend be the more realistic and comedic venture, so the episode gets a plus for that.  Still, even for a comedy, a homeless Santa, parents who take away Christmas and (gasp) another family who doesn’t believe in Santa are pretty original storylines.

The weirder the funnier, right?

One of the best debuts of the season, Modern Family has had a promising first-half run and puts sitcoms back into the spotlight.

Rating: 8.1/10

Fizbo the Clown

While Modern Family (as stated in last week’s review) works best when the entire cast is together, Cameron–by his very nature–tends to be the one to go to for some incredible laughs.  By incredible, I also mean original.  The introduction of his alter ego, Fizbo the clown, gives way for one of the best moments on the show.  Yes, there’s nothing creepier than a clown, but its the bond beneath the heavy make-up that rings true with the show.

The Rube Goldberg Mechanism

I won’t deny the slight Final Destination twinge in this episode, but it also sets the episode apart by framing it with a whodunit atmosphere.  I also enjoyed the fact that somehow, the family has unintentionally designed one of the most dangerous kids parties ever.

By its very nature, ‘Fizbo’ allows a lot of room for outrageous bits and over-the-top comedic moments.  For Modern Family, it compliments the sentiment issued at the end of every episode on the importance of familial ties.  It becomes predictable, but it doesn’t spoil the fun, especially when Fizbo is around.

Rating: 9.5/10

The Anniversary

This storyline feels incredibly labored and awkward to me.  Seeing Edward Norton in a comedic role is like seeing Jim Carrey do a dramatic role.  It’s weird.  While the storyline could’ve further established Claire and Phil as a couple, there’s little dramatic connection between the two thanks to Norton in the middle of the pair.  Yes, there are some very funny moments, but viewers really have to work getting past the sudden introduction of a really bizarre character.

The Second Child

Elizabeth Banks definitely fares better in the episode, no doubt in part thanks to the chemistry between Cameron and Mitchell.  Still, the kooky character has little to do with anything except for…shouting death threats against the baby?  The storyline has its moments, but it sits firmly as a single-shot storyline.  It won’t go anywhere and it certainly won’t be memorable compared to the rest of the cast.

All in all, ‘Great Expactation’ underuses several major powerhouses in the cast such as Claire, Gloria and Cameron.  For a show about a family, this episode diverges from that formula and instead captures some outside excitement with new guest stars.  I understand the gesture, but I suppose my insight is this: why fix something that isn’t broken?  Modern Family strays a little from excellence for me this week, but it’s still far from boring.

Rating: 7/10

Dysfunctioner

Modern Family banks on the idea that their family is stranger than yours, and this episode proves that point ever so gallantly.  From figure skating to fencing to baseball to home films, these characters will take any hobby and turn it into an escapade.  The Office has had a few episodes that are more awkward (‘The Dinner Party’ for one), but ‘En Garde’ definitely moves towards the top of the heap in terms of pure weirdness.

Unconditional Love

Since the entire cast belongs to one family, the show has the advantage of displaying cheesy unconditional love and support without making it seem out of place.  It also means the episodes don’t have to try very hard to have their touching moments.  As a result, they’re not as precious, but they give you that heartwarming feeling nevertheless.  Jay’s voiceover monologue at the end of every episode is growing on me.  In this respect, Modern Family sets itself apart from other mockumentary sitcoms in that every episode is constructed around a theme.

The Uber Children

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: the younger cast of Modern Family is the best on television.  Normally, writers avoid child characters altogether due to the difficulties of finding competent child actors, not to mention ones that can measure up to the adults.  With four highly believable and hilarious actors playing the children on the show, Modern Family feels that much more unique.  Seriously, Alex is becoming one of my favorite characters.

With favorable reception and handsome viewership, it’s refreshing to find a popular show that actually deserves the success (come on, celebrities doing mediocre dancing, ugh).  Modern Family is remaining consistent through and through.

Rating: 9.2/10