Modern Family season nine, episode one recap: Lake Life
Photo Credit: Modern Family/ABC Image Acquired from Disney ABC Press
Modern Family began their fall season on Wednesday night. The ABC sitcom remains a cornerstone of the network’s comedy line-up as they enter their ninth season.
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Modern Family opens on a typical scene, Claire (Julie Bowen) cooks breakfast while Hayley (Sarah Hyland) and Luke (Nolan Gould) wait for food. However, as Mrs. Dunphy sets down a plate, the table lurches to the side. Only the quick reflexes of her children keeps the plate from shattering. It seems, they are on a boat.
While most of the family sits outside in the sunshine, Mitchell (Jesse Tyler Ferguson) and Cameron (Eric Stonestreet ) are in a bedroom. As the show cuts to an interview, they explain what’s going on. At Jay’s (Ed O’Neill) insistence, the family rented a houseboat to enjoy this summer’s total eclipse. However, there’s one problem: Cameron is on antibiotics and can’t sit in the sunlight. As he emerges from the bedroom, clad in a long white robe, his husband looks him over. Perhaps he should risk the sunshine induced side effects…
As the morning gets going, the family is heading out in different directions. Manny (Rico Rodriguez) sits quietly in the corner… he’s “Manuel” now. He’s trying to reinvent himself before he goes away to college. Meanwhile, Alex (Ariel Winter) brought her new boyfriend Ben (Joe Mande) along on the trip. She’s been happily dating Claire’s hapless assistant for three months, and things are going swimmingly well… at least until he asks about gluten. Apparently, Alex is feeling the strain of the relationship.
While the kids desperately struggle to get away from an increasingly needy Ben, Claire and Phil (Ty Burrell) find themselves riddled with insecurity. They enjoy a pleasant hike, but as they look at a resort pamphlet, they notice something. It seems they’re identical to the elderly couple on the cover of the brochure. Are they getting old? Are they boring?
Photo Credit: Modern Family/ABC Image Acquired from Disney ABC Press
Meanwhile, the kids find themselves trapped on an island as they look for a good time. Supposedly there is a party nearby. As Hayley, Alex and Luke watch Manny unsuccessfully attempt to start a fire, they talk. Why is Alex suddenly trying to push Ben away? Are things getting too real for her?
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At the same time, Phil and Claire are struggling to harness their fun-seeking sides. They stand on the edge of a high cliff, preparing to jump off. However, with each attempt, Phil’s legs freeze up, sending Claire over the edge on her own. The final time, she tries to push her husband over the cliff, but he spins out-of-the-way, once again sending his wife into the water, far below.
While Jay waits for the family to return, the eclipse starts without them.
Next: Where we left off: Modern Family season 8, episode 22
Photo Credit: Modern Family/ABC Disney Press
Meanwhile, the kids are rescued by Ben who passed out on an inflatable swan while baby-sitting Lily (Aubrey Anderson-Emmons) and Joe (Jeremy Maguire). It was the current which carried him out to the island. Alex quickly throws her arms around his neck and apologizes for abandoning him. However, as Hayley announces there isn’t enough room for everyone on the swan, Alex sprints to the floatation device, leaving Ben once again on his own.
As the family returns after the eclipse, Jay is fuming. He wanted this memory. He wanted to be at the center of things, with his family around him during the eclipse. However, the drama is short-lived. As the ending credits role, the family sits on the deck and enjoys a rousing chorus of “Total Eclipse of the Heart.” As the screen fades to black, someone exclaims, “Where’s Ben?”. Alex’s response is quick, “Uh-Oh.”