photo: abc
Two Monkeys and a Panda
Original Air Date: Mar 2, 2011
Karen Belgrad- Associate Editor
Karenbelgrad
@thetwocentscorp.com
Tonight was a surprisingly heartfelt episode of Modern Family. The slapstick (aka Phil) was minimal as the viewers saw a more vulnerable side to Mitchell and a more sentimental (albeit fleeting) side to Jay.
And while there were a handful of humorous lines, this was considerably light on the silly in comparison to what we are used to. Did that work for you? Keep reading to get my take.
The most serious story tonight was Cam and Mitchell’s. Cam is working to desensitize Lily to the word “adopted” by cheering and clapping each time he says it. He is also writing a story book for her called “Two Monkeys and a Panda. (She’s the panda because she’s Asian. They’re monkeys because he can draw monkeys) While putting together a scrapbook of how she joined their family, he comes across her adoption certificate which shows her name as Lily Tucker Pritchett, with no hyphen to indicate dual last names, Tucker appears as her middle name. Cam is distraught and accuses Mitchell of doing it on purpose.
Mitchell weakly denies it, but ends up tearfully confessing that he did it on purpose.
Apparently, before they brought Lily home, Cam was overly panicked about not being able to be a parent, so Mitchell was afraid that he’d bail. He didn’t want Lily to end up with half a last name belonging to someone who left her. Cam is understandably upset and walks off. Later, Mitchell comes to him having finished the Two Monkeys and a Panda story. He tells the tale of them bringing Lily home, ending with the scared monkey (aka Cam) becoming the brave one. Cam softens and the two rejoice as Lily claps at the word “adopted”.
Meanwhile, Jay is excited to show Gloria the adjoining burial plots he’s purchasing for them… in a crypt. Gloria has no desire to spend eternity in a drawer. At the cemetery, they meet the odd couple selling the plots, who have made a point to meet all of the adjoining people they will spend eternity with. They, not at all tactfully, ask what happens if the younger Gloria remarries after Jay croaks.
Jay stresses over being the deceased second husband putz in relation to Gloria’s imagined third husband. Manny, who himself has a (thirteen month) younger woman these days, does a little bartender routine while listening to Jay vent. He comforts him by saying that out of all of Gloria’s many suitors (some of which proposed from moving cars), she chose him. It seems their first fight showed Gloria that Jay was her perfect match. So Jay opts for cremation someday so he can torment Gloria’s hypothetical new husband from the mantel.
Haley and Alex are fighting like, well, sisters and it is driving Claire nuts. She wants them to be close, talk about boys, style each other’s hair, like she and Mitchell were. Alex accidentally rips Haley’s favorite sweater, so Claire drives all over town to find a replacement sweater to keep the peace. Then she ruins the sweater by pulling of the forgotten security tag and releasing ink. The sisters continue to bicker like, well, sisters.
Phil decides to use a spa gift certificate on himself rather than let it expire. At the spa, while getting a manicure for his soft lady hands and facial, he learns a very important husband lesson from the other pampering ladies. Phil is startled to discover that, unless Claire asks for advice, he shouldn’t give any and should just listen and empathize. Phil applies his new found knowledge when he returns home to the warring sisters and asks Claire if they “can’t see how much she loves them.” She, in turn, does not notice what is different about his appearance.
So… this was such an odd episode. I didn’t altogether dislike it, but I didn’t really laugh out loud (except maybe when Haley didn’t know the difference between Doc Brown and Albert Einstein). It was just so sentimental and even a little maudlin with the burial plot storyline. It all felt very grounded, with none of the plots being farfetched or unrealistic, but there may have been a bit of spark missing from the show. Was it the lack of simple Luke? Was it the emotions? Did it feel off to you? What worked for you?
I really love this show and its characters, so I hate to come across as down on it lately. Maybe we just need some Phil physical comedy (a green mud mask doesn’t count) and some inter-family pairings? Maybe it’s time for Gloria and Cam to go to dinner again?
Well, those are my TwoCents! What are your TwoCents? Share your comments, thoughts, and feedback below!
TheTwoCents 
It actually didn’t feel that off to me. Mitchell and Cameron are always always fighting, so at least this time it was over something worth fighting about. I thought Phil in the spa was funny and played to his awkward humor without being tired. Haley always has the best lines when dealing with Alex.
I would LOVE to know what Jay and Gloria’s first fight was over.
The writing on this show saves it. But I’m getting a bit tired of the same formula.
– Mitchell does something to offend Cam. Won’t apologize for it. Then does and makes up.
– Gloria and Jay have an argument over a misunderstanding between cultures and/or age. Then apologize and make up.
– Phil and Claire have a fight over a misunderstanding, usually Phil not understanding women. They apologize and make up.
Come on guys. Throw some spice.