BWW Recap: Alex Celebrates Graduation, & More, on MODERN FAMILY's Season Finale

So, here we are. After nine months and 23 episodes, we've arrived at the MODERN FAMILY season finale. And the Dunphy-Delgado-Tucker-Pritchetts are going out with a bang, capping two season-long story arcs - the first, of course, being Alex's send-off to college, which we/she has been preparing for all season; and the second being the long-awaited climax of the Andy/Haley relationship (and climax it does!!). Of course, just because they have to - I mean, come on, it's MODERN FAMILY! - the episode's peppered with a variety of subplots, showcasing the rest of the clan at their very best. Wanna see what I mean? Just read on. :-)

We open at Jay and Gloria's, where a graduated Alex enters to cheers and applause, and we find out Cam's just received adult braces (Side note: HILARIOUS how he keeps saying 'S' words throughout the episode!). We also learn that Phil's unable to attend the graduation festivities - he got an ear infection while away on business and was cautioned against flying - but, in classic Phil fashion, he "attends" via Skype, rolling around on a automated rolling vessel (how is that thing controlled BTW? Is Phil doing it?) attached to an iPad which, of course, projects his face.

In other news, Gloria's cousin is staying with her and Jay for the week, but the latter's had enough and wants him out. Jay accuses him of keeping heroine on a shelf in their laundry room (which turns out to be the ashes of Gloria's pet horse from Colombia). Gloria accuses Jay of always treating her relatives like criminals.... so you know what's coming. And it ends pretty hilariously. Love the way it's all revealed through Gloria's use of Spanish - and that Jay can't even tell the difference... so he'll never know he was right! HA! This plot was the most short-lived of all, but I forgive the writers; it really needed to be in order to fit in all that they did. And I'll even praise them too, for their story organization: in an episode that was chock-full of season-long-arc wrap-ups and new beginnings (Mitch leaving his job), three cheers for including one that could start and end all in one! (Though I do hope Gloria's cousin comes back at some point. Love seeing her family, especially when they interact with grumpy ol' Jay).

Additionally, Cam announces he and Mitch are buying the upstairs apartment - and I guess it's official this time... or is it? I mean, they've said so many times throughout the season that they're doing that, and then shy away... so it's hard to tell. Anyway, regardless, Mitch is completely unfazed by the news, and Cam totally suspects something's up. Turns out it's because Mitch lost his job - and hasn't told Cam in a month! ( :-O )

Cam's suspicions rise even more when he sees Mitch talking to Phil about this "private matter." He sneaks into Mitch's phone - and reads his texts in the most gosh darn cleverest, and funniest way, I've ever seen; seriously, the way the text reading is done is pretty genius - to find texts from Spencer, the friendly man whom Mitch has been meeting in the park while Cam believes he's "out at work." And Cam immediately suspects Mitch's having an affair! Brilliant!! AND IT GETS BETTER! I LOVE how thinks that's the reason behind why Mitch is so silent about the upstairs unit - 'cause Cam thinks that's where he's having the affair! The conclusion of this plot is not only generous with the one-liners (the line about the cockatoo had me cracking up!!), BUT it opens up a new avenue for next season, in a way that the other plot lines of this episode don't. So, will Mitch find a new job? Will Cam still have his (hideous) braces when we open next season (BTW, why'd it take so long for him to get them?). And will they really go for baby #2? (I know that one wasn't discussed tonight, but it has been done before). All these questions... all the more reason to tune in in September!!!

Claire's plot follows her mission to give Alex the perfect graduation gift, though she's continually upstaged by the other family members. (Side note: Gloria's speech to Alex was actually really sweet and genuine! These two need to have more storylines together - imagine the possibilities, especially now that Alex is all grown up). Regardless, this plot wins for most heartwarming, and really solidifies the mother-daughter connection BETWEEN Alex and Claire (which is surprisingly exactly what Claire wanted). On this note, it'll be interesting to see how they use Alex next season, since she's waaay too smart to get arrested mid-semester (no offense, Haley!), so there's no chance of her coming home halfway through the season. Still, there are school breaks... and there could be weekly Skype check-ins (like there used to be for Haley), 'cause hey! This show is really starting to embrace their technology, aren't they? (The iPhone episode, Robot Phil in this one).

And maybe 'cause this episode kind of ended ambiguously anyway, perhaps they'll continue where they left off, and won't open with her in college. (Might we get to see some of that Europe trip?) Really hope they keep Alex around, though. She's a good egg, and deserves her screen time. :-)

And finally, Haley finally declares, in a confessional, that after seeing how "great together" Andy and Beth are, she's moving on from her crush. But it doesn't seem like that's the case, from how flirty she and Andy are when they talk. And Beth's noticed, and she immediately turns into Scary B*tch, warning Haley - in so many words - to stay away from her man.

It's pretty funny how the whole thing escalates (Hyland's shocked looks toward the camera make it all better), from the Goldilocks comment to Beth asking everything about Haley, to demonstrating her deadly moves from coast guard training ("That's what you do when someone tries to take something that's yours"), to seemingly trying to scorch off Haley's hair with a candle (soooo funny how no one realizes Beth's a psycho but Haley!!)

Meanwhile, Andy confides in Phil that he's ready to propose to Beth, though he does admit he's hesitant 'cause he has feelings for another girl (OMG!!). But Phil pushes him to go with his gut and follow through on the proposal, where he'll "take [Beth]....at sunset....to this place she loves....by the ocean." It's all very romantic, isn't it? But then, in a later conversation, Haley talks with her dad about her feelings for Andy, and Phil helps her to realize she really does love him. After a brief moment in which Andy comes in to say he's taking Beth for a drive, in hopes of catching the sunset (wink wink), Phil connects the dots and frantically tries to warn Haley, but his robot contraption short-circuits and cuts out his volume, rendering it IMPOSSIBLE for his daughter to hear that Andy really does love him. She closes the door, and runs away crying, as robot Phil falls down the stairs and the iPad screen turns to black.

So, we end with.... A CLIFFHANGER?! A CLIFFHANGER?! Honestly, it's not that bad. Gives me one more reason to tune in next season (like I needed another!), and it was really brilliantly written. I mean, yes, it was disappointing to not have Phil physically in the room, but after seeing the whole episode, I totally see the function of the rolling machine and how it's used to reveal (and not reveal) certain details in the episode. It's just some gosh darn good work. It's also cool how Phil's now in on the secret, so he can help Haley to tell Andy her secret next season. Maybe.... we'll see.

And this finale was one of the best. Almost every family member got a storyline, and though some were left unfinished, none of them felt rushed (and the one's left unfinished still finished for the season in the most perfect way). A great sendoff into the summer! Hope you guys all watch S7 in September!

In closing, I just want to say how fun it's been to recap these episodes for BWW throughout the past nine months - especially 'cause this season's been so pivotal in terms of chronicling these characters' journeys (which I know I've already mentioned countless times). I just love how brilliant this writing is (which I know I've also mentioned countless times) and how they're able to present legitimate, believable storylines that aren't too far-fetched and say it with witty dialogue and one-liners that genius-ly fit in with the plot being told (It's not just a joke for the sake of a joke). As a developing writer, I can say it's harder than it looks, and this show does it pretty damn well! So, it's been incredibly special to watch these episodes and remark on the dialogue, use of language and plot, and overall character development with all of you guys. If you want to check out more of my writing, I'll be doing the YOUNGER (TV Land) recaps through the 9th of June. And maybe I'll get back to this next year? Who knows? We shall see. Who knows what the future holds?

Well, for our favorite MODERN FAMILY clan, I can only hope they've got a season ahead that's as enjoyable as the season they've just had. #ModFamFTW

Have a great summer, guys! Thanks for everything!

SOME FAVORITE QUOTES

- Jay: (re: Gloria's cousin) He comes in here, eats all my food, drinks all my booze, and never so much as does a dish.

- Gloria: Ay, and so different from what all those white people over there are doing.

- Haley: (re: Andy) In the spirit of graduation, I'm officially moving on. And unlike my actual graduation, there's no pregnancy scare.

- Phil: (to Cam, re: the offer) Congrats! I'm gonna roll away before you spit on my screen again.

- Mitch: This is a report card you made for me when you were four. You gave a B- as an uncle.

Alex: I was mad because you wasted your vote on Ralph Nader.

- Luke: Beth's super hot. If everyone in the Coast Guard looks like that, sign me up. It's just on the weekends, right?

- Gloria: (to Jay) Lily spilled some juice on the counter. Should I frisk her for guns?

- Claire: (re: Phil's song for Alex) I can't believe I'm even saying this, but instead of "hem your jeans," could it be "steam your greens"?

- Phil: No, it can't. The jeans come back at the 4-minute mark.

- Cam: (re: Mitch's supposed affair) There's a George too?!

Mitch: Calm down! I'm talking about a cockatoo.

Cam: Oh, one or two. Is that all? How blasé.

Photo Credit: Twitter / ABC

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