This column follows the ABC show “Modern Family,” which airs at 9 PDT on Wednesdays. Check here regularly for a synopsis and commentary on each episode.
Author’s note: “Modern Family” is rated TV-PG, so I recommend that each viewer discern for him or herself whether or not the show is appropriate to watch. For young audiences, parents should determine if the show is acceptable.
“Treehouse” (Ep. 7)
Phil drives into the driveway with a bunch of wood hanging out of the back end of the car, which causes Claire to ask her husband what he plans to do with the wood. Phil responds to his wife by explaining he plans to build Luke a treehouse. Despite Phil’s enthusiasm, Luke is uninterested in his father’s project and leaves Phil to complete the treehouse alone.
In preparation for college, Haley must complete her applications which include an essay about an obstacle she has overcome. Haley complains to her mom that she has been sheltered and has absolutely nothing to write about.
For dinner, Gloria and Jay invite Shorty (Chazz Palminteri) and his girlfriend over who are typically active in various activities. Gloria becomes intrigued and asks Jay why they cannot participate in fun activities as well. Their friend brings up salsa dancing, immediately capturing Gloria’s attention, but since Jay does not know how to dance he is uncomfortable and does not want to participate.
While at a bar with friends, Cam and Mitchell discuss how flamboyant they are and that Cameron could never get a girls number while appearing to be straight. To make things interesting, Mitchell bets Cam that he will do the laundry for a month if Cameron gets a girl’s number; Cam agrees to the deal and ends up receiving the number of a girl he met, Katie (Leslie Mann).
Due to Haley’s frustration and continual complaining about her essay, Claire tells her daughter that she is old enough now and that they need to take a drive, but never explains where there are going. When they reach their destination, Claire tells Haley to get out of the car and read what is written on the tree.
After Haley gets out, Claire maliciously drives off and tells her to find a way home. Later on, Haley finally makes it home, but complains to her mom for leaving her stranded with no cell phone or money. Claire responds to her daughter that now has overcome an obstacle, and has something to write about.
The morning after Cam and Mitchell were at the bar, Mitchell suggests to Cameron that he shouldn’t be leading Katie on. Cam decided to call Katie back, but instead of telling her the truth over the phone he ended up inviting her over to his house. Mitchell and Cameron do not know what to do regarding this situation, except wait and see what happens.
Shorty invited Gloria and Jay to go dancing once again, but since Jay will not go Gloria decides to go on her own. Later on while Mitchell is talking to Jay about Cameron’s “girlfriend”, Jay brings up that Gloria is salsa dancing and that he wish he could dance so he could do this for his wife.
Manny tries teaching Jay how to dance, but when that does not work Mitchell offers him a pill that would loosen him up. Despite Jay’s initial reaction to say no, he ends up taking the pill from his son and uses at the club.
Later on while Gloria is at the club, Jay shows up ready to salsa dance with his wife, but decides to take the pill from Mitchell for a little extra courage. Although Gloria is unaware that her husband has taken a pill, she is happy that he showed up, and is surprised by how interested he is in dancing. Later, we find out that Mitchell gave his father orange flavored baby aspirin.
When Katie finally arrives at Cam’s house, the two begin talking and she reveals that Cameron is everything she’s been looking for in a guy. As Mitchell is pulling into the driveway, Cameron quickly explains that he is gay, but to his surprise Katie already knew and was actually looking for a gay best friend. Once Mitchell walks in, Cam and Katie put on a dramatic scene so Mitchell thinks Cameron won the bet. Katie acts like she is upset that Cameron used her, but as she walks out under her breath she tells him to call her.
As Phil continues to build the treehouse, Luke leaves the construction because he thinks that his dad building a treehouse is not very smart nor safe. Phil does not want to give up on the idea, so he keeps working.
While Phil is up in the tree, he sees his neighbor, Andre, and starts talking to him. Phil and Andre begin talking about treehouses and the fun memories they had as kids, thus Andre comes over to help build the treehouse. Phil is extatic about making a new friend, and says that it really is not any harder to make friends when you’re older than it is when you’re younger.
I really enjoyed this episode because it didn’t seem like it was jumping around too much. My favorite part was when Claire and Haley had their “obstacle” together. It was funny to me because in my life it seems like I’m being sheltered as well and I’ve thought of many crazy things that could happen to me.
Another part I enjoyed was when Jay took the baby aspirin and not knowing what it was, overreacted. At first, I really didn’t like the concept, but after it was revealed what the pill really was, I laughed like I usually do with this show.
I really missed not having a new episode last week, so I’m very exited for next week’s episode.
For the previous week’s article on Ep. 6, read ‘Modern Family’ Season Three, Part I (VIDEO).
