Modern Family Review: Blindsided (Season 8 Episode 3)
Modern Family Season 8, Episode 3, “Blindsided” is actually a decent episode with a few laughs, a great guest star, and even a little bit of heart. “Blindsided” is still stuffed with all of the characters and the storylines aren’t that interesting, but it is the best episode of the season so far.
Considering it’s election year, Modern Family pits Manny and Luke against each other for class president. Neither is an ideal candidate. Luke is dumber than dumb and Manny, well, he’s just so uncool.
Jay and Gloria are angry that Luke is running for president because they know Manny doesn’t have a chance. Gloria gives Manny ideas for his speech, which she thinks will appeal to his voters. It’s one of the funniest bits of dialogue Gloria has had in a long time.
The Dunphy family pairs off, which is a good thing. Claire meets with the principal at Luke’s school to discuss his college options.
Haley: That will be a short meeting.
After the meeting, Luke says he wants to run for class president. Claire knows her son, and therefore, writes his speech, making him look and sound more like Manny.
Phil tries to teach Haley about self-promotion by taking her to see his guy, Merv Schecter, played by guest star, Martin Short. Merv is full of one-liners and can sell your name on anything (including toilet seats).
Merv’s character could have easily teetered into the over-the-top outrageousness that Modern Family loves. Instead, there is just enough of Merv in “Blindsided” to be funny but not annoying.
Phil doesn’t approve of Haley’s “business” as party-girl, but she shows him what she is capable of and that is where the heart comes in. Phil and Haley’s father-daughter relationship is one of the strongest on the show.
Speaking of daughters, Alex is barely seen this episode and her storyline this season revolves around her having mono. It’s better than not existing. Although Alex is literally not speaking in “Blindsided,” her written notes are very hilarious.
The Tucker-Pritchetts have the weakest storyline mostly because Cam and Mitchell have the same fight they always have. Cam does something crazy, Mitch gets mad, Cam plays the martyr, and Mitch comes around to Cam’s side.
Cam and Mitch argue in “Blindsided” because Cam brings home Dwight, his best football player, to stay at their house for the rest of football season. Dwight is a big guy, so he eats and knocks into everything.
The exchange at the kitchen table between Lily and Dwight over eaten cereal, milk, and hidden cookies is quite funny. The looks Lily gives!
Modern Family is certainly not breaking new ground, but there is plenty to like in this episode. Here’s hoping that the next episode continues to improve.
Last Bits:
- Can newspaper reporter Leslie Kwan Collins please make another appearance?
- Too bad Phil’s “Murder House” wasn’t the Murder House from American Horror Story.
- What Gloria and Jay think is a cool outfit for Manny is truly terrifying.
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.