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ABC‘s Modern Family — which out of the gate won the Emmy for Best Comedy five years in a row — wrapped its 11-season run on Wednesday night, with a one-hour finale. Did you tune in to bid the Dunphy-Pritchetts farewell?
The first half-hour found Phil and Claire living and loving the RV life, having relocated themselves to mobile home in their own driveway now that the house itself has become overpopulated with Haley, Dylan and the twins, Luke, and a returned Alex. The storyline was far and away the strongest of that half-hour, especially as we witnessed how badly life had devolved inside the house, with “baby formula and croutons” subbing for breakfast cereal. After the kids crashed their cozy RV breakfast of actual bacon, Claire (and Phil) declared that someone had to move out of the house. Sure ’nuff, each of the kids balked at the notion… and sure ’nuff, they all ended up deciding to move out — to follow a job to Switzerland with new beau/boss Arvin (Alex), to attend the University of Oregon (Luke), and to live in a million dollar-ish apartment (Haley & Co.).
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Elsewhere, Mitch and Cam delighted in their new home and new baby, whom they named Rexford (after the street they now live on). Their housewarming party, however, hit a hiccup just as the guests were arriving, Cam was offered the college football coaching job he coveted, at North Southern East Central Missouri U. (or something). Cam tried to keep a lid on his conflict, but eventually erupted in front of everyone. Later, in their basement karaoke room, Mitch assured Cam that he was A-OK-ish with making the move — especially once they realized that crazy, clingy Sal lived right down the street and had big plans for spending lotsa time together.
The first half’s C-story, meanwhile, involved Gloria feeling less needed in her household now that she is the working spouse/parent, but Jay encouraged her to seize this moment and enjoy her career.
In the second half-hour, Mitch, Cam and their fam are packed (back) up already and at Claire’s house to bid everyone an emotional farewell… only to get delayed by a tornado warning. And then by a flood, with locusts. Once they finally do leave the house, they catch the others snapping a family photo on the stairs without them. Terse words are about to be exchanged… when a Missouri hail storm holds things up once again.
During this latest delay, Claire and Mitchell plot to steal their skating trophy from the ice rink that Jay gave it back to years ago, because they kept fighting over it. That led the siblings to revisit their ice dancing routine, only to realize it was a lot more sexual than they recall. Alex and Haley meanwhile schemed to mess with Luke one last time, by duping him into dressing up as “Woofie the Dog” to “recreate” a ruined home video. Over at Jay’s, his recent run of aloof behavior led Gloria to worry that he was getting old and or losing his hearing, when in actuality he was secretly learning to speak Spanish.
After Jay encourages Phil to consider his own next chapter in life, Phil suggests to Claire they take a cross country trip in the RV, getting selfies with every MLB mascot — and she is on board for that! They later wistfully look on as Haley, Alex and Luke all pack up their things and clear out 25 years of craziness from the house. What will they do now, Claire wonders. “Leave the porch light on,” says Phil. “They come back.” And after Jay reveals to Gloria his surprise fluency in Spanish and plan to join her and Joe in Colombia for the summer, the family finally poses for that elusive selfie.
And as we get glimpses of everyone embarking on their new lives, Jay’s closing voiceover says:
Life is full of change — some big, some small. I learned a long time ago you could fight it, or you can try to make the best of it. And that’s all a lot easier if you’ve got people who love you help you face whatever life throws at you. At least, that’s what helps me sleep at night.
As the Dunphy and Pritchett homes turned out their lights one last time. No twist ending, no Suzanne Pleshette, no snow globe, no introduction of a Dutch documentary crew. Just… a warm, sweet ending.
I didn’t give it an A but I liked the ending. Didn’t want to cry but wanted to feel good about how things ended and overall I got that. I can see where pushing the kids to decide who would move out would work to move them all out. I didn’t get how Claire was going to go on a cross country trip and start a new job too. But I like the direction they took their story. Everyone will come home again, Motel 6! I got the impression that Cam and Mitch are the landlords for Haley and Dylan. I thought Luke was in Community College but then left for the venture capital world that story line had an incomplete end, Jay, Gloria, Joe, I followed that okay, Manny and Javier, got it; Alex and Arlin, she crushed him all along, Cam, Mitch, Lily, and Rexford (hate that name) could be a whole show in Missouri!
I’ve never watched the show before. Happened to catch the final episode last night! Liked it so much I’m going to go back and start from Season 1!
Nice! The first few seasons were amazing!!!! It had lots of ups and downs after that, but still plenty enjoyable.
If you liked the finale Darren, I bet my last dollar you’ll love watching it from the beginning!
The finale was a total bore! I gave up on this program years ago. Now, I know why. It’s not funny, and the characters are all irritating and unbelievable.
The finale was a total bore! I gave up on this program years ago. Now, I know why. It’s not funny, and the characters are all irritating and unbelievable.
Two things: Jay didn’t return the ice skating trophy, Didi did; and all three homes’ porch lights were turned out. But you missed the point in that what made that ending poignant was the Dunphy’s porch light came back on, reflecting Phil’s words.
as to the finale itself, I said to myself rarely have I laughed through tears two nights in a row. First there was the great finale for Schitt’s Creek on Tuesday and then Modern Family on Wednesday.
What is Jay doing with Stella while he’s in Columbia? I know the dog that played her passed away recently but don’t believe it was addressed on the show.
I wanted to love it, but it reminded me why I stopped watching years ago. It was cheesy that everyone was leaving at the same time, unrealistic that Cam and Mitchell would move to Missouri, and lacked the heart this show had in the earlier seasons.
I loved this finale. Since I live in Missouri, I can attest Mitch and Cam did NOT make the right decision, and honestly there was a small part of me who wanted Jay to wake up to Peg Bundy wanting sex, I thought it was WONDERFUL.
Great ending! Would love to see Jay (Al) wake up in bed w/Peg. Also would love one more ep to watch Cam with all his histrionics trying to coach college-age players and Mitchell fighting himself not to be attracted to them.
These actors really connect with each other in their cast roles and I’ll miss that interaction the most. What an 11-year ride!
I watched the finale last night but watched the farewell that was on prior to the finale tonight… Dang didnt cry at the finale but this farewell did it for me… buckets LOL
The Newhart finale doesn’t have to worry about losing its crown as the best finale.
Found the MF finale to be OK. Laughed a couple of times, got a little verklempt when Phil and Claire looked at the empty room, but that’s about it.
I’m truly going to miss this show. Such an amazing cast and crew and I would always laugh and cry throughout the season….these types of shows are so rare and I am sad to see it go….congrats to the cast, crew, writers, and everyone else who made this such a must see show for 11 years. Much love and thank you for the laughs and tears….
It was fine but I haven’t really enjoyed the show since season 10. 9 good seasons is no laughing matter though. Alex and Arvin getting together was like a Greek tragedy, ugh.
Where was Lilly in the finale?
She was there, in a big floppy hat.
Wooooow this season didn’t know I was now attached to it till I find myself crying watching the finale. Going to miss this family. 😟😟
I also think Modern Family had such a great finale; I watched it on the ABC website earlier today. The only thing I hated about it is after Cameron shushed Gloria and said “Soar” upon giving her his farewell note, there was not a single swear-word uttered for the rest of the episode, not even an abuse of God’s name (there were plenty of swear-words beforehand, including a bleep). This ruined the finale for me I hate when this occurs on shows’ final episodes. If I was Gloria, I would have punched Cam just for that shush.
I agree with some of the other commenters, I hope the Modern Family cast really does do a few reunion specials in the future. Ed O’Neill better still be alive and healthy then.
No wonder I’ve always been so hesitant to get into single-camera comedies (at least before I started watching The Good Place).
A long way, you can finish step by step, and then you can’t reach without a foot