In the sixth episode of this season of “Modern Family,” titled “Grab It,” we learn quite a bit of new things about most of our characters along with a new term, courtesy of Manny Delgado — Netflix and Chill. Disturbing on many levels but equally intriguing.
Let’s review the episode together, shall we?
Luke has taken up a new job at his grandfather’s country club. When Phil visits him, he learns about an event happening that night wherein club members can sponsor one new member for the club and pitch him to the board. Naturally, Phil asks Jay to sponsor him in order to build a new client base but again, naturally, Jay totally hates the idea but does it anyway.
At the event, Jay realizes that letting Phil be himself might just be the key to make sure he doesn’t get accepted. He even instigates his son-in-law to do some magic. Unfortunately for Jay, Phil manages to win over the other members. So when Phil gets stuck in a sauna room, Jay decides to come clean about his feelings. The club is his one place to be alone and be himself, something that’s difficult for Jay to do in other places. Phil, on the other hand, gets comfortable anywhere he goes. The whole world is his club. Because he asks Phil to back out, Jay agree’s to do anything with Phil. Together, they jump on trampolines and go see an interactive play.
As for that play, Cam tricks Mitchell into attending it by lying to him about it being a simple community theater play. Mitch, when he finds out the truth, is totally mad at his partner. He hates the whole idea of the actor and audience interacting. This gets worse when he gets picked to play a character named Vlad on the spot. That’s when he realizes that Cam is a part of the play, too, and has been rehearsing for it for weeks. In order to get back at him, Mitch not only plays Vlad but also plays the janitor, stealing Cam’s spotlight.
The women of the show get the most interesting plot of the episode. Claire and Alex go to an author’s reading. Alex is obsessed with this SHE-E-O, who is a mother of three and a thriving businesswoman. She is even considering double-majoring in bio and business. Claire, however, assumes she’s her daughter’s inspiration, and that’s why she is being invited.
Gloria aims to spend her one alone night at home by taking a glorious bath, especially since she has a floating wine glass (an invention we all need). Her plans are interrupted when Manny returns home early from a party he was supposed to be at and Joe, having accidentally sipping on an espresso, refuses to sleep. Out of frustration, she takes the kids to Claire’s, and they instantly listen to her. The two women realize that somehow, children listen to other parent’s more than their own. Gloria also manages to convey to Claire that Alex does respect and look up to her. She doesn’t need to say it, she will show it in her own way.
As Alex comes home that night, she tells Claire about how she, along with a few others, went to drink coffee with the author who wasn’t a very nice person after all. She decides to instead dive right into the business world and gets a job as a barista. Her mom realizes she took her advice and for now, Claire seems to be happy.
While this episode isn’t ha-ha funny, I enjoyed the subtle emotions we were shown with some characters, especially Claire, Gloria, and Jay. There are too few scenes between Julie Bowen and Sofia Vergara. I loved their interacting and I hope to see more of it. In the end, though, “Modern Family” needs to get back to its comedic routes and get some of its witty humor back.
What did you think of the episode? Comment away.
