Modern Family Review: The Alliance (Season 8 Episode 8)
Modern Family Season 8 Episode 8, “The Alliance,” shows us that the aging show still has some tricks up its sleeves and has the power to surprise and entertain. The sub-plots in “The Alliance” are sub-standard, but the main storyline involving Phil, Cam, and Gloria is funny and smart.
“The Alliance” is a literal thing between the three people married to Pritchetts. Phil, Cam, and Gloria all know, like us, that Claire, Mitchell, and Jay, are judgmental (and a little nasty), so they help each other cover up mistakes that they make. In this episode, Cam needs help getting rid of Russian squatters, and Gloria has lost Stella.
Phil, Cam, and Gloria aren’t usually paired up, so seeing them talk to the camera together is a real treat. The way they phone each other and deliver the secret code line about picking up the orange juice makes this episode of Modern Family feel fresh—and it is completely welcome.
Considering Modern Family’s track record, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to think that the alliance storyline would come to a predictable end. However, the ending is unexpected and clever. Now, if Modern Family could have more episodes like this!
Gloria and Phil are really the standouts in this episode. When Gloria threatens the squatters with her very limited knowledge of Russian, it is hilarious. Gloria always has throw-away lines about violence within her extended family or in her native Colombia. But in “The Alliance,” we see how tough Gloria can be, and it’s wonderful.
Phil is the best at physical comedy and proves it again with the shock collar bit at the end of the episode. Sometimes Phil can be a little over-the-top, but in that scene, he is perfection.
It’s frustrating that the main plot is so good but the subplots are not. The caliber of “The Alliance” is dragged down a little because of that. Luckily, the B plots have a bit going for them, so they’re not a complete miss.
Except for Claire’s. How many times have we seen Claire at work, trying to get Jay’s approval? Her story didn’t really have much to do with anything else going on in the episode, and it felt clunky.
So, Haley is still dating Rainer Shine and no one cares. Rainer and Haley may not actually be a bad couple, but we have barely seen their relationship. Everything between them has happened far too quickly. They have only just met but they have already jetted off to Mexico and now Haley’s meeting Rainer’s teenage daughter, April.
With Haley’s previous boyfriends, we really got to know them, and they became part of the family. But we hardly know Rainer and because Rainer is played by a well-known guest star, will we actually ever get more than a couple of appearances by Nathan Fillion?
Haley winds up spending the day with April because Rainer has to run off to a meterological disaster site. How is April only fourteen? She looks way older. Haley going into full Claire/Mom mode with April is brilliant though and almost makes her storyline worth it.
There is also a gross subplot with Luke who is basically this close to being sexually harassed (or assaulted) by an older woman at the country club. We also see Jay be an awful grandparent as he practically pimps Luke out to get a signature for his cigar petition. The conversation between Luke and Jay is quite funny though so all is forgiven.
Overall, “The Alliance” is a very good episode of Modern Family. Not only is the plot humorous, but it’s well thought out and clever. It even has a twist, and the twist is earned. Modern Family keeps making the same mistake each week by having too much other stuff go on, but as long as those storylines produce some laughs, there isn’t too much to complain about.
Quick Bits:
- Seriously, is Alex ever going to have a real storyline?
- Where is Lily? Her one-liners and wry looks are greatly missed.
- Did anyone else find the Google product placement slightly distracting?
- Why don’t realtors in my area dress up as elves and have real reindeer?
What did you think of this episode of Modern Family? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Modern Family airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on ABC.
Nora Williamson
Nora is pop-culture obsessed and has been since she was six years old-- writing stories about going to Hollywood premieres and dating Christian Slater. Her current favorite shows include House of Cards, Orange is the New Black, The Walking Dead and black-ish. She is a sucker for TV shows with forbidden love, bad boys and of course, a Big Bad. Nora may also be the only person on the planet who loves Fear the Walking Dead.
2 comments
Thanks for your recap. It was the only one i could find. I agree with all your quick bits (I miss Lily) except the google one. Phil’s reaction is priceless.
Thanks for your comment! I agree that Phil’s reaction to the YouTube video is pretty magical!
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