BWW Recap: New Neighbors Move In on This Week's MODERN FAMILY

It's the moment you've all been waiting for, the moment pumped into our memories through various promos and press releases throughout the summer - the recurring neighbors have finally arrived!! I think it's nice that the show is injecting these new characters into the lives of the Dunphys. While I can't really say if it works out with just one episode aired - we'll certainly see in the long run - I think these new characters, for better or worse (hopefully for better) will breathe new life into the show, providing new plot lines for the Dunphys that we may not have ever seen before. Ronny specifically seems like the anti-Phil, so it'll be especially fun to see how goofy, crazy dad we love sizes up to/plays against his neighbor.

Getting into the specifics: Phil's in charge of the house sale, and the Dunphys - well, Claire - is stoked to have the advantage of picking their own neighbors. After a successful sale to some nice sophisticated people, Ronny and Amber (the much-in-the-news Steve Zahn and Andrea Anders) show up with a higher offer. Again, I wouldn't say I'm in love with these guys so much yet, but yes, it is their first episode out, and much like a pilot of a series, it takes a while for new elements to really get off the ground. So, they're excused. As Phil says when the family finally moves in, "Who knows? Maybe we'll end up lovin' 'em." I really hope we viewers do too.

Despite this weak plot this week, what did make me laugh, however, was Phil and Claire's failed attempt to get the other couple to buy instead ("Let's off that top, Lisa"; "Fortunately, you are getting into bed with the right people....wink wink"). It's typical Phil and Claire as you know them to be, and it's reminiscent of the ditzy, dopey Phil and Claire we loved from Season 1 (think Clive Bixby & Juliana, or the Phil's ex-girlfriend/Facebook plot with Claire on board).

Jay's storyline (and by default, Gloria's) chronicles his discovery that Manny's friend's grandfather owns a rival closet company, and he's not happy. He forbids Manny to see her. I'm not quite sure I enjoy this plot line in general, but the specific one-liners in Jay/Gloria/Manny's scenes are on point, and showcase the best of what the actors and writers on this show can do when they work together (see below for a few choice favorites). It's also notable because it's the only single-episode plot this week. I also don't feel it opened up a lot, unless Manny's going to continue dating Sophia (though I'm a little confused with the continuity here - he's gotten over Sam that fast?!). I'll hope for better next week, though I'm sure I won't be disappointed, as their Halloween episodes are top-notch.

But, I digress.

Mitch & Cam have the pleasure of dealing with Lily's new teacher, played by Broadway's Tyne Daly. (I believe this role is recurring as well, so, yay, for some ongoing Broadway representation within the show. Well, separate from Ty Burrell, Sofia Vergara & Sarah Hyland, but you know what I mean). Mitch and Cam's goal is to swap Lily's teachers ('cause Daly's Mrs. Plank is "stressing Lily out"), but it ends up backfiring, as Lily wants to stay with Miss Plank. This plot, too, I feel, was rushed a bit. Not much happened, but again, considering the character's recurring, it's understandable that some groundwork needed to be laid. I just hope that such a curt introduction as this one will play out better in the long run. Looking forward to see Daly's antics with Cam, Mitch and Lily.

On the whole, yeah, this episode went way too fast. But solid effort. It's a re-injection of energy, and, respecting that, I saw this episode as a pilot of sorts - just must have seemed so jarring because we're in the sixth season. But here's hoping we have more fun with Daly, Zahn and Anders in future episodes. From the looks of it, they're here to stay. ;-).

SOME FAVORITE QUOTES

- Phil: Being a realtor man means working on Sundays, like priests and Lesley Stahl.

- Phil: I'm kind of in a difficult spot stuck between my wife and the guy next door, but I'm pretty sure I can satisfy them both simultaneously.

- Gloria: Jay please, it's just closets.

Jay: I wish it was "Just Closets." I respect those guys.

- Jay: (to Manny, re: Sophia) Did you mention we've been experimenting with lighted hanging rods?

Manny: I don't have a great rap with girls, but it's better than that.

- Mrs. Plank: (re: her Frownie-Face stamp) I had to special order it from Germany.

- Jay: (to Earl) If you banged DeDe, I do owe you an apology.

- Phil: (reciting his Realtors' Oath) ...And to put my clients' needs before my own.

Claire: And mine.

STRAY OBSERVATIONS

- While I think the writers should be aware that the names of Jay's rival companies ("Just Closets," "Crazy Closet World") could easily be exhausted after a while, the new revelations, for now, made me smile, and I appreciated the way in which they were revealed.

Photo Credit: Twitter/ABC

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