BWW Recap: Claire Catches the Plague on MODERN FAMILY

Just a note before I begin: as the world's biggest hypochondriac, I rarely watch episodes of TV shows where any character is sick (in fact, "Chirp" - the Season 2 episode where Claire was last sick - is still the only episode in the MODERN FAMILY canon I have not re-watched). Still, as I recall being said in an early interview with Ty Burrell, Chris Lloyd & Steve Levitan (Phil and the show's creators), seeing a character sick means you're seeing them physically weaker, which, strange as it may sound, is a different side to the character. Thus, providing a whole episode about a family illness shows the depths the creators are going to expose these characters' different sides. And to have it be a MAJOR plot point in this week's episode - rather than in "Chirp" where it was just a different thing (for lack of a better word) for the character to have - shows the creators going the extra step, and with such hilarious results, is something I appreciate, despite the fact that I'm fully aware I'll be tuning in to Claire with the sniffles and characters talking about DayQuil usage and headaches.

And the episode opens just like that. Through confessionals with the family and the opening scene, we learn that Claire is the latest victim of a terrible cold that has been passed on through a slew of family members. We also learn she's got an important meeting today. Considering the humorous results from the last time Claire had an issue in one of her "important meetings" (In Season 5's "The Feud," just before a meeting with a client Mitchell arranged for her, Claire caught lice from Lily; if you don't remember, Youtube it - great physical comedy here!), I can already assume Claire's part of the episode will do more than tickle my funny bone. The confessionals here are pretty funny, too, for the most part (see Manny's in particular, below) and it's been a while since we've seen a straight lineup of confessionals go from family member to family member, so kudos on that. Onto the opening credits.

In a bit that is both equally funny and clever, Phil watches the wedding video, which reveals he's the culprit of the terrible plague (he sneezes on the wedding cake, on the glass Mitchell drinks from, and the napkin with which Mitchell dries his eyes). "What I thought were allergies started the cold that brought the whole family down!" exclaims Phil, before he vows to "edit out all the sneezes without ruining Jay's speech" which, of course, calls for "special effects" and "overlapping green screen" and unitards. Oh, Phil. Only you.

Now, if I may, I'd like to point out a touching moment, on the earlier subject of character development. Though you may miss it 'cause you're busy watching Phil sneeze his brains out, Jay's wedding toast is really sweet: "To the grooms. Wait a minute, I take that back. To my sons." I know there's not really a focus on what Jay's saying - the focus is obviously more on Phil - but again, if you catch it, you notice how poignant the moment is for Jay, who we saw last season struggle to come to terms with the fact that his son was getting married to a man. Again, while I love MODERN FAMILY for the jokes, I also love its heart, and I think this was a fantastic point - albeit, hidden somewhat - of change for Jay's character, and I'm glad they included it. Maybe this means we'll see Jay be more tolerant of Mitch & Cam's relationship.

Well, actually, maybe not. I'll check back in after the viewing of the tape. :-)

Anyway, back to the show. Mitch and Cam's subplot is set up: Cam wants to bench Manny for the game that afternoon, but is worried about what Jay & Gloria might say if he does. Pretty much all I can say about that for now. But, oh look! Another plot for Mitch/Cam, wherein Mitchell has set up a playdate for Lily with Sydney Barrow. From the confessional it seems like Mitch is a little too cocky about arranging this playdate, and it seems like he may be into Sydney-and-Lily more than Lily is into Sydney-and-Lily. This could (also) yield some funny results.

Cut to Jay and Gloria, where Manny's nervous for the game. (Cue a LOL moment from Jay, noted below). At Mitch & Cam's, Mitch is having a phone conversation with Claire, where he deduces Claire's at work with the plague because she wants to impress Jay. Oh, yeah. I see where this is headed. This could definitely be the winner of Best Plot of the Week.

Back to Lily & Sydney - Sydney's clearly the more gifted of the two, where she completes the memory game on her first try (and hilariously matches the ibex, which I embarrassingly had to Google to find the species), and serenades with a classical ballad (name to come later, I'm still Googling!) after Lily plunks out "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star." This plot seems comical in concept, though let's see the jokes become tired and old.

Back from commercial, Cam's coaching technique still doesn't seem to be working on Manny, and Cam's still too afraid to tell Jay and Gloria. Not much development since the first scene in which this plot was introduced (This may be the weakest subplot of the episode).

But in opposition to that statement, here's Claire, who's caught the vertigo element of the cold just minutes before her meeting. Of course, this results in some great physical comedy from Julie Bowen - she nails it here (and also, kudos on the Siri line - soooo relatable!). Especially funny is Claire slamming into a wall as a result of not being able to see straight, before being dragged along on a luggage cart (coupled with the fantastic line of Jay's, "You rolled right through it"). Such great work here from actors and writers alike!

Phil and Luke continue to work on the editing. This scene's okay, though I feel like I'll enjoy the complete edit at the end of the episode (I assume it's coming) more! (Phil's talking too much here... show, don't tell, you know?)

Haley & Alex (where have they been all episode?) then talk about Haley liking Andy. Oh, yes! This is something I could get into. One of the best couples on this show and, again, a real mature development for Haley's character. The scene's a little too short to get into anything (I presume that was part of Haley's plan), though I'm excited - based on all the promo pics I've seen splattered across the Internet this week - to see this topic'll be re-visited later in the episode.

Back to the game, and Jay and Gloria realize the star player that got their team ahead is not, in fact, Manny, who they then see on the bench. Cam hides his face with his clipboard as Gloria fumes.

After a viewing of a disastrously edited video (whose gags come off more as forced than naturally funny), Luke tells Phil to "take his lumps" and "show the real video." Surprising resolution to this plot line (I thought they'd go with showing the edited video), but I don't think this climax is meant to be the largest of all the plots within the episode (wink wink Haley and Andy wink wink). Just as well, though re: not showing the edited video, as I've seen better from Phil & Luke. The "Patient Zero" to "Patient Hero" also just sounded way too forced for this usually naturally funny pairing. (Though Phil's last line to the scene was definitely an LOL moment - I'll give him that!)

Back to Cam & Mitch's and it looks like this plot is wrapping up, too. Sydney's a better artist, she can name world capitals, and yep... Mitch just called her a know-it-all. There's her mother at the door - the cue that she'll get involved, leave with Sydney, and Mitch and Lily will be left to wallow in their mistake. And that's exactly what happened. Again, the "comedy" in this plot feels a little forced, with Mitch knocking over the paint and the watch getting caught in Sydney's hair (they could have done so much more with that, but ended it just as quickly as they started it). I guess I was right in saying Claire wins Plot of the Week, but it's okay. Everyone's allowed a few clunkers, and the show is still funny overall.

On that point, we now move into the portion of the episode where the entire family gets together in one room and the plots intertwine! Hands down - these are the best moments of any given MODERN FAMILY episode. Period. Haley devises a plan to avoid (or will she?) Andy, there's some hilarious (I should start substituting another word for this) one-liners traded between Mitch & Cam as Cam tries to figure out whether Jay and Gloria are mad about being benched. Then, Phil arrives with the wedding video. Uh oh.

In a hysterical (that's a better word!) twist, turns out Gloria is mad about Manny and "benches" Cam by sitting him at a separate table during the family dinner. Stonestreet and Vergara's reactions and delivery make this joke really land. I love the way Cam angrily whispers, "Mitchell... she benched me!" gesturing to his single table setting. Makes me belly-laugh even after a third (nay, fourth) viewing.

Here we are with Haley & Andy. Will they/won't they? And how will it be handled re: the writing? Okay, Haley's dropping hints here. She likes him. It's obvious. Awkward silences. Talk of sending signals. (Haley admits she sent a signal too!) If you notice the physicality, they're both folding laundry together, too. Awww! Then, denial. "Imagine if we kissed....that would have been a disaster!" Yeah.. they like each other and they're totally getting together. And I'm totally on board.

Now, this whole awkward silence thing is old, but it's not MODERN FAMILY old, which is why I think I like it so much. As I said earlier, too, it's definitely not Haley old, as she's never had a boyfriend who we've actually seen she's had any feelings for. Although it's an old sitcom gag, it is new territory for this sitcom, so yes, again, I'm rooting for them.

Back at the family table, all plots come together, where it's resolved that Jay (and Mitch and Cam and, because it plays into the resolution, Phil) "can't force [his] kids to live up to [his] unreal expectations." Jay protests, "I never put more pressure on my kids than they can handle." Enter Claire, coughing and hacking, apologizing that she never made it through the interview, as she collapses onto the floor. Is this a funny bit? No, I don't think so. Does it bring the entire episode into a wraparound? Yes, and that's what MODERN FAMILY does best. So, job well done. :-)

Andy and Haley continue to challenge each other, stating the other would be more knocked out if they kissed; it's pretty much basic back and forth, interspersed with Andy tending to Joe. Haley wants to make amends, and apologizes. She clearly likes him. Andy sticks out his hand for a handshake; Haley welcomes a hug, but instead plants one on him, as he stares in silence.

Um... YESSSS!!! Even better that Haley instigated it - so great for her maturity and character development! A+! Creators/Hyland are really nailing Haley this season (you know what I mean) - and we're only three episodes in.

But unfortunately, for Andy, it means nothing and he's back to give Joe a bath (Was his reaction line supposed to be funny? I was confused there!). Haley looks bummed, which is so sweet. She's also a bit embarrassed, considering what just happened. However, as Andy leaves, he tells Haley, "Don't be a stranger." We hope you won't be one either, Andy. #HaleyandAndyForever

A traditional wraparound resolution ends with another surprising reveal: Manny's feeling pressure because of... Gloria. ("What?!" Gloria croaks). "You could never let me down," resolves Gloria, and all is forgiven. Well, except the wedding video, which Lily has cued up.

And after a slew of embarrassing quirks, cry-faces, and armpit stains, it's decided the video needs a re-edit, and Phil narrowly avoids his own revealing and embarrassing predicament. But just before we cut to black, Lily reveals she knows the truth. Dun dun dun.

Pretty standard tag scene, with Mitch watching the video of him dancing. You'll chuckle at his moves, but on the whole, it's nothing special.

The episode on the whole was pretty solid, though. Looking forward to more antics next week!

SOME FAVORITE QUOTES

Manny: (on missing out on culinary camp activities because he was late due to illness) You can imagine the nicknames. I thought "amuse-douche" was particularly cruel.

Luke: (to Phil, who didn't realize Luke & Claire swapped beds the previous night) Appreciated the back-rub. Not sure I loved being called "Miss Thang."

Jay: (to Gloria, re: Manny being nervous about the game) He's fine. Nerves are good. Just before a play-off game one time, I pulled out a whole eyebrow.

Haley: With great hotness comes great responsibility.

Phil: If laughter is the best medicine, then you're grape flavored triaminic

Jay: (to Gloria, re: Manny making the kick in the game) Lot of pressure. I'll bet he's chewin' on his own stomach acid right now. Sorry to be so sentimental. I just miss it.

Phil: (re: himself) How does someone so smart sneeze on so many things?

Mitch: (re: what Gloria and Jay have told him) All I've gotten from them so far is "Hola" and "That scotch is not for company."

Manny: (re: getting benched) I'm not very hungry. I still have the taste of failure in my mouth.

Jay: (re: Manny) Only thing coordinated about this kid was his outfits.

STRAY OBSERVATION

- Lily's seven?! Really?! Has her age EVER actually been established?

Photo taken from MODERN FAMILY's official Twitter page.

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