“The Bicycle Thief” (Modern Family – S1:E2)

Let me just say that this is easily my favorite new show. I was truly excited all day about seeing the next episode of Modern Family. And it didn’t disappoint.

Plot Summaries: Phil tries to teach his son responsibility by stealing his bike…but he steals the wrong one. Jay tries to build a fan with his new son. And Mitchell and Cameron take their daughter to a playgroup.

Great Moment: The tenderness Ed O’Neill shows as Jay. He’s able to switch easily between the annoyed (and even mean) stepfather to the compassionate father when the biological dad skips out. But he doesn’t tell Manny the truth, to protect his feelings. And that’s why Modern Family‘s great. There’s heart there too.

Weak Moment: There was a short scene where they flashed to a made-up reference of a Columbian comedy team. It seemed out of place. Like it’s from Arrested Development or Family Guy. Great in those shows, not here.

Top 3 Jokes/Gags:

1. Phil (to the camera): “[The most important thing about being a dad is to] be their buddy.” Claire (from around the corner): “That’s your answer?” Phil (quickly): “And stay in school.” Claire: “No.” Phil: “And don’t do drugs.” Claire: “Noooo.” Phil (frustrated): “Just give me the answer!” Claire (gives up): “Oh God.”
2. Phil: “Sometimes a man’s gotta put his foot down and do what a man’s gotta do. And if the old lady don’t like it…(looks back and yells)…Honey?…………..that’s too damn bad.”
3. Mitchell (after pretending another baby’s stack of block’s is Lily’s): “I don’t know what’s happened to me, but I just stole a baby’s intellectual property.”