Modern Family 1x05

When the whole Modern Family is coming over, you know things are going to get awkward. Jay’s upset Gloria invited the family for some barbeque, because the Ohio State game is on. Turns out Cameron used to be a starting offensive lineman at the University of Illinois, who are playing against the Buckeyes. Mitchell doesn’t like football, but is pressured into making an effort enjoying his partner’s interests. But before the get together, Claire and Phil are called to school as Luke got into a fight. As they arrive in the principal’s office, they find Jay and Gloria there already. There was some name-calling and shoving. Manny keeps calling Luke his nephew, because, well, technically he’s his uncle. Even the principal is confused. Thing is, it brings out the tension between Claire and Gloria. At the gathering, the boys make up, with a good smack on the head by Jay. But the girls, well, they have some unresolved issues. They try to talk, but Phil keeps interrupting with his dorkish cool phrases. “Wow, powerful, powerful stuff,” he intones all seriously, when Gloria admits she feels that Claire doesn’t like her. When things improve, he smiles, “I’m feeling a hug” – he’s thinking group hug (anything to feel Gloria up).

Then it’s dinner time, Luke and Manny are joking around with each other. “I made fun of his mom, because she used to dig coal,” Luke says. “What?” Gloria asks angrily. “Who said I’m a coal digger?” “That’s what my mom told me,” Luke answers. Oh-oh. “It was all in my head, huh?” Gloria tells Claire. Tension’s mounting again. Claire confesses it was only a natural assumption to make, such a beautiful young woman marrying Jay. Phil jumps on the opportunity to talk to Gloria alone. In her anger, she starts throwing her colorful panties around, to make the point she doesn’t need all these things to love Jay. Clair walks in, wondering why her husband is covered in Gloria’s underwear, he leaves and the girls talk it over. To get even, though, Gloria wants Claire to embarrass herself in front of the family – by jumping in the pool with her clothes on, then she’ll know she’s sorry. Letting bygones be bygones, everybody ends up in the pool. Yes, I’m starting to get into this. I actually got a few good laughs here.