Modern Family: Season 3 Episode 18 “Send Out the Clowns” Recap
Finally, Modern Family is back with all new episodes after its long hiatus, and I for one am happy to see its return. This episode starts by having Cam attending his clown mentor’s funeral. He is dressed from head to toe in full clown gear along with others, to give their mentor a final farewell with the entire clown theatrics included. It is this time we are introduced to Cam’s former stage partner, Lewis, played by Bobby Cannavale. Lewis was Cam’s former clown partner, up until the point Cam stopped performing to settle down with Mitchell. Lewis has never gotten over this “betrayal” since clowning was his life. The two reconnect while going to a bar with other fellow clowns to celebrate the life of their mentor and the pair decide to do a couple of clown shows together, much to Mitchell’s horror. Cam accuses Mitchell of never appreciating his clown side which Mitchell automatically denies, but as Cam continues to further press the issue, Mitchell does agree he never liked clowns. This just causes more problems between the two that leaves Cam storming off and Mitchell feeling guilty.
Meanwhile, at the Dunphy household, Phil is psyching himself up for a big real estate opportunity that can help solidify his career at the new real estate firm he joined awhile back, but the only thing is that on his way there he bumps into his arch nemesis Mitzi Roff. She is a ruthless real estate agent, willing to play dirty to get what she wants, like pretending to fall and accusing Phil in front of potential clients to do so. Phil is understandably upset, because his belief of nice guys finishing first has been torn to shreds. Phil with the help of Luke decides to regroup and catch Mitzi in her web of lies. He goes to Mitzi’s office with Luke’s spy pen to record Mitzi telling the truth about her “fall” and replay for his former clients to get his listing back. It all comes together as Phil gets the recording he needs, but Mitzi steals the pen and out right calls Phil “not a real man.” Phil, foiled again, leaves Mitzi’s office with more depressed than before.
At the Pritchett house, Manny informs his family that he is going to invite his friend Griffith to the house afterschool for some fun. This surprises Jay, because Griffith is classified as the cool kid, while Manny can’t even open the door cool, which after the clip montage is surprisingly hilarious! Furthermore, Jay believes that Griffith wanting to hang out with Manny, is because Jay dropped off Manny at school on is motorcycle, making him the reason that Griffith wants to spend time with Manny. Gloria doesn’t like what Jay is saying, especially the way Jay dresses in his dark sunglasses and leather jacket to greet Griffith when he comes over. Gloria greets Griffith too, but it seems the kids eyes are glued to one spot on her body. This gets Gloria to say that she is the reason that Griffith wants to hang out with Manny, going so far as proving it by asking if the boys want to go on Jay’s motorcycle or go with her to the store. Manny wants to go with Jay while Griffith wants to go with Gloria, leaving Jay to suspect he likes them both. Seems like the adults are more worried about who cool or not instead of realizing that Griffith is Manny’s friend not theirs.
Cam and Lewis do a show together and the two are really happy to have “Fizbo & Lewis” act, but when Lewis starts booking more shows, Cam isn’t too sure anymore, since he has plans with his family. Lewis “claims” to understand, so when the pair are putting on a performance for a child’s birthday party, Lewis starts to slowly lose it. He starts accidently beating Cam with a fish and skillet all in front of the laughing children including Lily and Mitchell who wanted to surprise and more importantly support Cam during his show. Things get more heated between the duo as Lewis starts freaking out and losing his temper to the point that he and Cam are now wrestling on the floor with Cam shout out for help and with onlookers just laughing on and Mitchell just looking completely horrified. Seems this act is officially at its end.
Mitzi runs into Luke at the grocery store and Luke asks Mitzi why she hates his dad so much. To this Mitzi responds that it is just business, but Luke starts to tear up about hearing his dad and his mom through his spy pen talking about how depressed his dad is about losing such a significant listing that was supposed to help pay for his sister’s college. This information seems to get to Mitzi, but before she can ask any questions Phil interrupts leaving with Luke to get as far as he possibly can from his nemesis. Mitzi does however show up at the Phil’s home saying that he can have the listing, that it is more trouble than its worthy. Phil goes to thank her, but she said to tell a soul and just walks away. Phil closes the door and gives Luke a high five while telling his girls, that “people are inherently good deep down and when you find it, use it to your advantage.” Looks like Phil and Luke managed to pull one over Mitzi, to get the listing. Well done, Phil…well done.
In the end, Manny informs them that Griffith has invited him and his Gloria to a BBQ and pool party at his house later on that day. The thing it is like 70 degrees outside and obviously Griffith just wants to see Gloria in a skimpy outfit. Manny overhears Jay and Gloria discussing how Griffith is just using him to spend time with his mom and is okay with it much to the surprise of his parents. Manny says that he is using Griffith just to get close to his sister, so he doesn’t mind, plus he says that Griffith is a doorknob. He just asks that leave on time to the BBQ/pool party and for Gloria just to dress accordingly. Looks like Manny is just as devious as Phil is!
Bonus:
Claire just joined Facebook and wants to friend her daughters, but Alex and Haley refuse to do so over the impending embarrassment that is sure to come with friending their mom. Claire throws a fit over the girls not friending her, but in the end they do. Claire is so excited to share family photos of her kids growing up, but when someone tags her in risqué spring break picture during her wild days and then her daughters see it, seems like joining Facebook wasn’t such a good idea after all.
Originally posted on Affairs Magazine
