Back at Charlie's, Cameron is slurping the remnants of his margarita. Mitchell finally shoos his partner away, but that only leads to Cameron knocking over a few items, loudly. Charlie
offers Mitchell the job, but wants to know right away if Mitchell is in or out. As Cameron knocks over another set of valuable articles, Mitchell says he just has to talk to his "bull in a china shop." Meanwhile, at the mall, and six dresses later, Gloria wants to, finally, buy Lily some strappy shoes. Claire sees Alex with her friends, so she tries to get her attention. Alex just puts her head down and briskly walks away. Seeing the scene, Gloria gives Lily back to Claire and says that she misses babies -- they never tell you to go away or wait in the car. Claire says they shouldn't feel sorry for themselves. "You know what we should do?" Claire asks Gloria. "Get pregnant," Gloria offers. "I was going to say 'get ice cream,'" Claire replies. "OK, yours first," Gloria agrees.
Luke is dancing around the center of the court waving his arms around. Jay shouts that his grandson needs to actually be near an opponent to defend him. Phil wanders over, and Jay notes that "this is a uniquely frustrating group of boys." Phil suggests the team switch to a man-to-man defense. "I got this," Jay insists. "Oh yeah? The scoreboard says you've only got four points," Phil retorts, slapping Jay on the butt and walking off. Back at Charlies, Mitchell pulls Cameron into the garage to talk. Mitchell slowly says that he might want to take the job. Cameron wants Mitchell to take the job! Mitchell loves Lily, more than anything, but he hates baby talk. "I wuv baby talk!" Cameron replies. The men joyfully embrace, and go to make their way back to the party, but the door back into the house is locked. Mitchell tries to open the garage door, but nothing happens. A security camera reveals that the button actually makes the turntable spin, and it has spun their car right into Charlie's very expensive one. Unaware of this, Mitchell pushes the companion button and the turntable spins back. He tries the first button again, to the same result. With Cameron imploring Mitchell to push the buttons harder, their car spins into Charlie's numerous times. Eventually, Mitchell sees a third button which opens the garage door. The men walk out and are horrified by the destruction done to Charlie's car. At that moment, Charlie walks outside. Mitchell says, "I'll take the job." "I think you kinda have to now," Charlie calmly replies.
Frustrated by their play, Jay berates the team. He can't take it anymore, so he hands the clipboard over to Phil, telling his son-in-law to take over. Phil resists, saying Jay always pushes him out of the way. "There are somethings that I am better than you at. Bam! It's out there," Phil says. Jay explains that he's just used to taking charge. He should have let Phil be the coach from the get-go. "And?" Phil asks. "I love you," Jay replies. "No! The barbecue!" Phil responds. Jay sighs, before continuing, "I'm sure your steaks would've been delicious and chewy." Phil gleefully grabs the clipboard, noting that the student has now become the master. He designs a play for Manny to take a shot, despite the fact he hasn't taken a shot all season. As the play unfolds, Phil describes his coaching philosophy in a voiceover. "What's my coaching philosophy? Give a kid a bird, and he becomes one of those weird guys who walks around with a bird on his shoulder. Give him a pair of wings, and he can fly." Under Phil's speech, Manny's shot rises in slo-motion, but doesn't even come close to reaching the rim. "Unless he has no hand-eye coordination," Phil concludes his speech.
Claire is waiting in the car when Alex finally arrives. Alex apologizes for her behavior. She's feeling a lot of pressure at school with friends. Alex appreciates everything Claire does for her, and insists that she's still Claire's little girl. Claire is touched...until Alex asks for twenty dollars. Recognizing the con Alex is pulling, Claire actually gives her forty dollars. When Alex jumps out of the car to rejoin her friends, Claire shouts after her, "You might want to pick yourself up a training bra. I know you don't need one now, but your little boobies are going to come in soon. Mommy loves you kitten!" She blows two exaggerated kisses to her stunned daughter and starts up the car. "Teach her to screw with me," Claire mutters as she drives off.
In the episode tag, Manny is telling a disinterested Gloria about his basketball shot. Although he is ignored, Manny continues. Gloria pretends not to hear her son, telling Jay that she had the best day with Lily. Manny asks his mother if she wants to come to his next game. No, she doesn't want to embarrass her son, so she'll just take Lily out again. Gloria exits, leaving Manny with Jay. He turns to his stepfather and asks, "Any suggestions?" "I usually go with earrings," Jay replies. Manny just shakes his head as he and Jay lift their coffee cups in unison and take a swig.
Commentary
It was great to have Modern Family back after a week off, but this was a middle-of-the-pack episode for me. The comedy was little more subdued, and I didn't riotously laugh during it 
(as I usually do), until Claire's calling after Alex about the training bra. Then, I lost it. That line, and Alex's stunned reaction, were absolutely hysterical. Even though I did think the episode was alright, there were some definite pluses and interesting places I think the show is going. First, we saw a less slapstick-y Phil. I really liked seeing him be funny, but also manipulative and, at times, hurt. Not the goofy hurt he felt two weeks ago about not getting his iPad, but rather an insulted kind of hurt that caused him to stand up to Jay. Good stuff there, and a nice chance for Ty Burrell to show his range. We also got mingling of all three families, which is always fun. Next, I liked the introduction of Charlie. I have no idea whether he will appear again, but I thought his crunchy, "green," yet still arrogant character was pretty hilarious. There could be some great interactions between he, Mitchell and Cameron in the future. Imagine Cameron at one of Mitchell's work functions. Hilarity would certainly ensue. Lastly, I think the seed may have been planted that Gloria is going to want to get pregnant. Yes, the "husband doesn't want to have more kids" storyline has been seen a million times before, but the Modern Family writers have such a way of refreshing old ideas that I think there is comedy gold in dem dar hills.
So, like I said, not my favorite episode (it was all fine, and performed well, just not the funniest script to begin with), but any episode of this show is light-years better than most comedies on TV, and I really think there is some potentially great comedy on the horizon for the show. What did you think of the show? Was this episode in the pantheon of Modern Family episodes for you, or do you rank it lower like I did? Did you miss Haley (the only regular not in the episode), and where the heck is her boyfriend, Dylan? Anything else you liked or loathed? Please leave your comments, questions and theories below. Be sure to check out TVOverMind for photos, promos and news on Modern Family and all your favorite shows. I'll be back next week with another recap. Until then, I'm off to grow a beard. The beard is on!
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I would work for Charlie Bingham. I bet he runs an awesome office. He needs to show up again.
Totally. I loved his brash crunchiness. I think they'll see how people react to him, and maybe bring Charlie back next season.