Article contributed by Tyler Constable
It’s the beginning of the end for one of America’s most successful sitcom’s this week, as the first episode of its final season airs. Modern Family originally premiered on September 23rd 2009 on the ABC network and the pilot episode chronicled the stories of three families who ultimately came together to create one one big special modern family. Over the last eleven years audiences have been let into the Dunphy’s, Delgado-Pritchett and Tucker-Pritchett’s lives and it has been one of the most rewarding television journey’s. There’s been plenty of big milestones throughout the show but we’ve decided to highlight some of our favourites, perhaps understated emotional moments as a reminder that watching this show will probably have you crying just as much as laughing.
Jay and Phil’s Toast – ‘The Storm’ (Season 7, Episode 14)
With the family outlasting a power outage storm by taking shelter at Jay and Gloria’s house, chaos soon ensues as Mitch and Cam try to salvage Lily’s birthday party and Phil and Luke attempt to fix the roofs guttering. Jay however is desperate to leave the house and reunite with his navy buddies for their annual reunion at a local Irish bar; a goal he strives towards for the majority of the episode before finally accepting the storm has him beat. We soon discover that one of Jay’s navy friends has passed away and the reunion planned was to toast the fallen. He takes up in the garage and opens up to Phil as the clock strikes 7pm and the realisation that he won’t make it in time hits. Phil silently pours Jay a shot, places a decorative four-leaf clover in front of him and turns to head back into the house before Jay calls him back, pours a second drink and they toast together. Over the seasons, Phil’s want for Jay’s approval and a closer connection has been adamant and this is a rare emotional moment between the pair that Phil has most certainly earned which makes it all the more touching.
Claire Walking In Alex’s Shoes – ‘Under Pressure’ (Season 5, Episode 12)
Alex feeling the pressure of achieving perfect grades had been an underlining theme since the show’s first season, but it finally comes to a head on her sixteenth birthday in season five when she snaps during the celebrations. The morning after arrives and she explains to a nervous Phil and Claire that she’s booked an appointment with a therapist. While Alex is at her appointment, Phil, Claire, Jay, and Gloria all attend the middle school’s ‘open house’ where Gloria tries to impress a teacher of Manny’s in hopes to land him a spot on a prestigious school trip, Jay ropes Phil into breaking some rules, and Claire finds herself overwhelmed by the workload that Alex undertakes everyday. As Alex’s appointment goes on, it’s revealed how she feels like nobody in the family really understands her and the pressure she feels. As Claire arrives to pick Alex up she exclaims ‘I was only you for a day and I could barely hold it together’ to which Alex cries, hugs and thanks her mother.
Lily’s Dance Recital – ‘Baby on Board’ (Season 3, Episode 24)
The finale of season 3 follows Mitch and Cam on the verge of adopting a newborn baby boy. Before driving to the hospital they enlist Gloria’s help in order to communicate with the Latino family and it becomes Jay and Manny’s job to get Lily to her ballet recital. It soon becomes apparent that Lily’s dancing ability isn’t up to par with her peers but her teacher encourages her to perform nonetheless. Nerves coupled with her dad’s absence deter Lily and it’s then up to Jay to solve the problem: Lily will only dance if her grandpa dances with her, it’s a deal that Jay reluctantly gives into and the result is as heartwarming as it is adorable.
Alex’s Tribute – ‘Goodnight Gracie’ (Season 4, Episode 24)
Season four’s final episode saw the loss of Phil’s mother, Grace. The whole family travel to Florida for the service and Alex is particularly affected as she felt she always had a special relationship with her grandmother. Claire finds gifts left behind for the kids: a pocket watch for Luke, an antique mirror for Haley, and a lighter for Alex that leaves her perplexed as she reads the note alongside it that simply states ‘this is lighter.’ It takes Phil’s father, Frank, with the revolution that ‘It’s Florida, everything sticks together’ for Alex to open the rest of the note and discover that the lighter is far more meaningful than she originally thought. In a fitting tribute, Alex sets off fireworks during the funeral service, following her grandmother’s advice to her that ‘every once in a while don’t be afraid to break the rules’ in one of the show’s most tearjerking monologue’s.
Jay Walking Mitch Down The Aisle – ‘The Wedding Part 2’ (Season 5, Episode 24)
Much of season 5 revolves around Mitch and Cam planning their wedding after getting engaged at the end of the season premiere and the big day finally arrives in the two part season finale. After several failed attempts and multiple venue changes, the ceremony appears to end up taking place in the couples cramped living room of all places before Jay interjects and declares that they can’t get married in the house. Prior to the wedding day, there had been friction between Mitch and Jay after Jay had attempted to having mixed feelings about the wedding. Mitch sees the interruption as another indication of his father’s feelings but Jay admits he’s put in a phone call to his beloved country club to give the pair ‘the wedding they’ve always dreamed of.’ As the ceremony begins Mitch tells his dad to take a seat before Jay says ‘Actually I thought you and I would take a little walk’ taking his son’s arm and proudly walking him down the aisle. Cue the waterworks.
Phil Chases After Haley – ‘Party Crasher’ (Season 4, Episode 12)
Haley and Phil’s relationship becomes seemingly strained in the aftermath of her being asked to leave college. The season 4 episode ‘Party Crasher’ may have the big milestone of a new family member with baby Joe’s birth, but it also holds one of the most touching father daughter moments. At the beginning of the episode, Haley introduces her new, much older date, Kenny, to her parents. Claire soon realises that Haley is only spending time with Kenny to get a reaction and convinces Phil to act cool so she’ll stop. As the couple appear to leave the hospital (where the whole family are located due to Gloria going into labour), Phil breaks and chases after them. A few moments later, Haley with no intention of actually leaving, comes back and exclaims to Claire ‘I’m a huge disappointment to him (Phil) I see it on his face every day,’ followed by Phil returning and telling Claire ‘that’s my little girl, I need her to know that no guy on earth is good enough for her’ before Haley envelops him in a hug. It’s a beautiful moment as Haley knows no matter what happens her dad will proud of and want to protect her and that their relationship isn’t anywhere near as strained as she believed.
