The Storm (Modern Family)

"The Storm" is the fourteenth episode of the seventh season and the 158th episode overall of the American sitcom Modern Family. It aired on February 24, 2016 on American Broadcasting Company (ABC). The episode is directed by James Bagdonas and written by Danny Zuker.^[1]

Plot

A huge storm forces the whole family, including Alex’s (Ariel Winter) roommate Maisie, to stay at Jay (Ed O'Neill) and Gloria's (Sofía Vergara) home. Phil (Ty Burrell) replaced Cameron (Eric Stonestreet) earlier as “Philbo” during a neighbor’s party. While he was performing, a little boy ran into the mirror gallery and he decided to search for him. But since he has coulrophobia, he saw himself dressed as a clown in a thousands of mirrors, causing him to have a panic attack. Since he embarrassed himself in front of his family, he decides to behave like a hero, but unfortunately, each time turns into disaster. Luke (Nolan Gould) is struck by lightning while he helps Phil in a task and decides to seduce Maisie. He impresses her and Alex when he manages to finish an equation they had trouble with. He reveals that he actually took a picture of the equation with his phone before the storm.

Manny (Rico Rodriguez) does not want to go to a trip and it is Claire who has to reassure him. But they find themselves in an uncomfortable position after Claire accidentally sees his genitals. At the same time, Mitchell (Jesse Tyler Ferguson) and Cameron try to organize Lily’s (Aubrey Anderson-Emmons) best birthday, but a girl from her class is there, too, and Lily gets sick of her parents trying to please the girl, since it isn't that girl's birthday.

Haley (Sarah Hyland) decides to turn her efforts to Andy, who behaves strangely, and she believes that he does not want to be with her anymore and wants to get back with Beth. Andy explains that he actually has no more feelings for Beth and decides to send her stuff back since they broke up.

Jay has a meeting with his old war buddies, but Gloria prevents him from coming outside each time he wants to. At the same time, she also tells Phil that he does not need to be a hero since he already is one because he listens to people who confide to him about their personal issues. Jay then reveals to Phil in the garage that he has a tradition with his old pals since they were ten. As Jay talks, Phil remains patient and recreates a space in order to make Jay stable. Jay thanks him and invites him to join him, making the first time on the show that Phil gained his father-in-law’s respect. They drink silently without a glance to one another as the rain continues to fall outside.

References

External links

• "The Storm" at the Internet Movie Database