Modern Family

The dog influencer and his owner really put a damper on my overall enjoyment of this episode. As I've mentioned before, having more than one cringeworthy character per episode is just too much, and Cameron was already there. Despite this unsettling aspect, I found the plot quite enjoyable, especially the "secret" wedding. // "Grosses me out, too, and I spend a lot of my time covered in afterbirth." / "Guess what, babies. You're gonna taste some wine today!" (05/04/2020)

Another lackluster episode. While I could maybe forgive the absurdity of protesting the eradication of owl populations in 1973, the real issue is that there was hardly anything to laugh about. All we can do now is try to forget this misstep and hold out hope for a better final episode. // "Dad, guess what. The twins started kicking the second I picked up booze. " / "Did Claire tell you our daughter's a genius?" (05/04/2020)

What a flawless finale to the tenth season! The birthday theme was pure genius, capturing the essence of so many beloved episodes from the past. And just when I thought it couldn't get any better, they threw in a talent competition that had me absolutely hooked. A solid five-star rating without a doubt. // "Here's the thing I realized. You can't get older if you never have birthdays." / "Again, I'm very sorry for impregnating your daughter." (05/04/2020)

The eleventh season was far from perfect. It had its share of standout episodes, some weaker ones, and even a downright bad one, but somehow, I still found enjoyment in it. As I've mentioned in my reviews of individual episodes, it's the Dunphy family that consistently kept my spirits high and became my favorite branch of the family tree. The finale left me a bit disappointed; I was hoping for a more substantial dose of humor to bid farewell. However, as you can gather from my rating, the overall result wasn't bad at all. / Lesson learned: Everything comes to an end. (20/07/2022)

The opening episode of the final season didn't quite live up to expectations. The only storyline that truly resonated with me was the one involving the Dunphys. Phil and Claire rarely disappoint. Unfortunately, everything else felt somewhat lackluster. Mitchell and Cameron, who have always been the weaker link for me, didn't offer much, and even Jay and Gloria's storyline was painfully uninteresting. / "Seriously, Alex?" "You can't come downstairs to talk to us?" "I've been gone for a month." / Lesson learned: Forget about manuals; go with your gut. (14/07/2022)

The contrast in quality between the first and the second episode was quite noticeable. Unlike the last time where the Dunphys stole the show and everything else felt dull, this time around, I liked every character, yes, even Cameron. It's because of that fridge of his. Anyway, the standout performances came from director Claire and the paranoid professor Phil, and everything that went on around them. / "...but she was wearing that stuff that makes her look like a prοstitսte." "Eyeliner?" "Exactly." /  Lesson learned: When the stakes are high, deny your own family. (15/07/2022)

The third episode strongly reminded me of the first one this season, only it was noticeably funnier. The Dunphy family took the reins in delivering most of the comedic moments, carrying the show as usual. On the flip side, Mitchell and Cameron felt a bit lackluster without Bridget The Fridge, and the developments with Jay and Gloria didn't exactly blow me away. / "No one's around. Again! Is it just me, or are people avoiding us lately?" / Lesson learned: Don't jump to conclusions. (15/07/2022)

The creators seemed to have worked some magic to make the gay party surprisingly entertaining. The dynamic shifted a bit in the fourth episode; all three storylines kept me interested. However, the Dunphys, for the first time this season, didn't really stand out and kind of blended into the average. Luckily, the average was bumped up a notch in this episode compared to the last. / "I almost forgot what her face looks like when she's telling the truth." / Lesson learned: Careful where you strike a pose. (15/07/2022)

The holiday episodes are among the best in the series. It was the Dunphy family who carried them most of the time, and I always fondly remember their Halloweens and Valentines. I'm glad that the creators didn't skimp on this Halloween, and even though the Mitchell and Cameron storyline wasn't worth much (I didn't expect anything better based on previous experiences) and Jay and Gloria's weren't great either (except for occasional Gloria moments and Manny's costume), the return of psychopathic Claire and wussy Phil perfectly tickled my funny bone. / "By the way, I am not married to the whole necktie thing. It could be, um... shotgun or poison or a power drill to the eye... " / Lesson learned: If you really want to scare someone, make sure to plan it out. (16/07/2022)

After the Halloween episode, the show took a bit of a nosedive for me. I didn't find many reasons to laugh; I mostly just cracked a smile here and there because none of the three plotlines delivered the usual humor. While Phil's inventions had some moments, the Dunphys, who I typically count on for laughs, let me down in this episode. Jay and Gloria were a total bust, and don't get me started on the gay storyline. / "Who is ready to reject Satan and all his empty promises?" / Lesson learned: There's no such thing as a free lunch. (16/07/2022)

The whole Thanksgiving episode turned into a showdown between fathers and sons-in-law, and I found myself oddly enjoying it. Well, except for one branch of the family. No need to delve into details. The Dunphy clan was in charge of the fun yet again, backed up by Jay this time, and tactical Gloria. / "Looks like we're having a threesome!" "You're embarrassing yourself." / Lesson learned: If you lend a helping hand, you may soon be without it. (17/07/2022)

All three storylines were weak. The creators didn't seem to put much effort into the story, and if they did, it means they've run out of creative steam, which would be even worse. If there's anything I could commend here, it's Phil's magic tricks, but other than that, it was pretty lackluster. / "Why'd you bring a crowbar?" "No reason." / Lesson learned: Store dead relatives in designated places. 3*- (18/07/2022)

Yet another holiday episode and it came just shy of earning five stars. The family get-together worked out surprisingly well, even Cameron was great! The writing was solid, the performances were on point, there were some great lines, and it seemed to be cruising towards perfection until the final dash of nostalgia and the overly happy ending, reminiscent of Disney movies, threw a wrench in the works. / "So, who's going to get me a drink? Mama's done breast-feeding. These babies are all mine again, and I'm ready to fill 'em up with wine." (18/07/2022)

After almost giving the previous episode a five-star rating, this one was so odd that I wondered if the creative team had been swapped out. There were numerous separate storylines at play, all intertwining in the end, and... nothing. I'm not saying it was dull. On the contrary, I was on the edge of my seat, eagerly anticipating that moment that would crack me up, but I think I must have missed it. For the first time, this series failed to make me laugh, and that's a major issue. / Lesson learned: Do you like whirlpools? Beware of infectious diseases. (18/07/2022)

The second half of the season has been a letdown so far. The show used to make me burst out laughing, but that magic seems to have worn off. I did chuckle a few times but it's just not the same anymore. / "I see light! Should I go towards it?" / Lesson learned: Children often have exaggerated demands towards their parents. (19/07/2022)

The second half of the eleventh season is seriously lagging behind the first one and doesn't seem to bring much to the table anymore. Judging by what the creators have dished out in the last three episodes, it looks like they've hit a burnout syndrome and are just chugging along out of inertia, having run out of ideas. / "I can't just put her out to pasture like some worn-out plow horse. The old broad deserves a little respect." / Lesson learned: Think before making a promise. 3*- (19/07/2022)

I'm not saying I haven't seen better Valentine's episodes before, but I still had a blast. Cameron has been a bit of a lost soul for me, but Mitchell managed to find his stride in the streets of Paris this time and kept me entertained. Phil and Claire, despite not being in their best Valentine's form, were once again the highlights of the episode, and Jay and Gloria were also great. If it had a bit more punch, I'd give it a five-star rating. / "Bribe them. Blackmail them. Seduce them. Have I taught you nothing?" / Lesson learned: Beware! Besides tourists, you will often come across French people in Paris! (19/07/2022)

Just when it seemed like things were hitting rock bottom, out of the blue, two episodes come along, delivering a remarkable upswing. Admittedly this episode had some recycled elements, but it didn't detract from the humor. I was entertained throughout, and the memories from earlier seasons just go to show that the Dunphys were the highlight of the show all along. / "Not to be weird, but she still won't let me mention your names while we're making love." / Lesson learned: Even a snail prefers a caravan. (19/07/2022)

Seriously, what's the deal with these ups and downs? The last episode had me in stitches, and now the fifteenth episode throws me this curveball? It's just baffling. It feels like the creators took a breather and let some eager amateur writers take over. Otherwise, I can't explain these swings in episode quality. / "Hey, Dylan, sometimes I like to play things out  in my head first, if that's helpful." / Lesson learned: Mind the steps. (19/07/2022)

The sixteenth episode pretty much maintained the same level as the previous one, leaving me somewhat less than satisfied. If the creators had trimmed down two family lines and concentrated solely on the Dunphys, I might have bumped up my rating by a star. The other branches of the family tree didn't do much to keep me entertained, and all I can do is hope that the final episodes take cues from the best ones. / "Where'd you get a fifty?" "Don't worry about it." / Lesson learned: Is someone blackmailing you? Be Israel. (19/07/2022)