Season 3 - Episode 11
ABC (US)
After a solid, yet uninspired start to the third season of Modern Family, they really ramped it up with the pre holiday hiatus episode "Express Christmas". Not only was it the best episode of the season so far, it featured the whole family integrating as one, and pairing off unusually - where the best episodes of the show frequently come from. While this episode saw only one scene of entire family integration, it was a very good one (especially Cam's shameless checking out of Manny's biological dad Javier), and only one unusual pairing (the coupling of Haley and Gloria, not one I can remember them doing before), which also works well, if especially for Phil's involvement.
The episode centres around Phil visiting the doctors and having some tests done. He misses the callback from the doctor and spends the rest of the episode becoming more and more convinced he's going to die (in true Phil style). Having finished his supposed "lifetime" supply of razorblades doesn't help matters, and a superstitious Gloria manages to only make things worse, calling everyone and alerting them to Phil's crisis. The end scene with the entire family together as they find out Phil is (predictably!) fine is a nice touch though.
Elsewhere, a visit from Javier sees Jay realise that he sees Manny as his own son more and more as time passes, Gloria helps Haley out with her Spanish homework, Luke's 85 year old best friend comes round to play video games, and Mitchell realises he is acting like a 14 year old girl in relation to Cam's achievements after talking to Alex (a still highly underutilised Ariel Winter, who has all the hallmarks of a star in the making).
"Lifetime Supply" sees Modern Family do what it does best. And what it does best is sweet family comedy bordering on the farcical. More like this one please.
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