The hit-show ABC comedy Modern Family very recently came to an end with its 11th season being the last. Audiences that had been following the misadventures, lessons, and love that brought the Pritchett-Dunphy-Tucker clan together said goodbye to the characters with a bittersweet feeling in their hearts. It was beautiful to see each of them go their separate ways in pursuit of continuous happiness and growth. But it was also sad to see this crazy, loving family say farewell.
It seems like it was only yesterday that fans were introduced to the eccentric, charismatic, and hilarious members of the family. Back when the kids were still kids and the adults still had a lot to learn, season 1 premiered late 2009 to rave reviews from audiences and critics alike. So take a walk down memory lane and revisit the best episodes from Modern Family’s first outing.
Moon Landing (8.1)
In the fourteenth episode of the first season, Jay finally agrees to go up against Cam in a racquetball match. However, while in the locker room, the two end up experiencing a moon landing, which throws Jay off his game.
In the meantime, Claire meets up with an old colleague from work who now has several lovers, a dream job, and his always traveling, which leaves Claire feeling awful.
Pilot (8.2)
The first episode where this eccentric family was introduced to the world premiered all the way back in September of 2009, over a decade ago. Audiences are introduced to Jay and his young new wife Gloria and find him struggling to adapt.
Cam and Mitchell decided to adopt a baby from Vietnam, and can’t wait to tell the family, and Phil and Claire Dunphy are trying to do the best they can with their three children who each have their own idiosyncrasies. Who knew how wild of a ride this was going to be?
The Bicycle Thief (8.2)
Jay wants to bond with is new stepson Manny, but he finds it hard. However, when Javier, Manny’s dad, fails to show up to take him to Disneyland, Jat steps up to the plate and takes him himself – on a limo and everything!
In the meantime, Cam and Mitch take Lily to a baby class and get caught up in some embarrassment when they pretend she stacked a series of cubes right when in reality they did it. Phil gets Luke a bike but lies to Claire when it gets stolen.
The Incident (8.2)
One of the longest-running jokes in the series related to Jay’s ex-wife, Dede, and her dislike for Gloria, which led to their wedding being ruined when Dede got drunk and had to be carried out of the ceremony. In this episode, she’s back!
She says she wants to make everything right after what happened, but no one is exactly happy to see her again. When the whole family shows up to have dinner at the Dunphy’s, the situation escalates and Dede tries to strangle Gloria.
Airport 2010 (8.2)
It’s time for the first big family trip with the whole clan. The family is heading out to Hawaii together after Gloria surprises Jay with a trip as a birthday gift. However, Jay wasn’t aware that everyone was coming.
Each member of the family shows up at the airport, leaving Jay slightly mortified. Claire is terrified of flying, which prompts her to get drunk of her mind, and Phil having to carry her into the plane himself.
Coal Digger (8.3)
Luke and Manny got into an argument because of something that happened at school, so when it’s time to head out to Gloria and Jay’s house for a day of football and eating, the situation is made very awkward for the mothers, Gloria and Claire.
Luke accidentally lets it slip that Claire called Gloria a “coal digger” – a term he misunderstood, since Claire was calling her a gold digger – and the two have to face each other and the feelings they harbor for one another.
Hawaii (8.5)
The family finally arrives in Hawaii, and Jay’s plans to have a relaxing holiday are threatened from all sides, mostly due to his family’s own plans to do their own thing.
Phil wants to make the holiday time special for Claire, but that results in Alex, Luke, and Haley being left unsupervised, and the latter goes on a binge drinking tirade. In the end, the couple ends up renewing their vows, and Jay finally gets to be at his daughter’s wedding.
Family Portrait (8.6)
The season ended on a high note. Claire will stop at nothing to achieve the perfect family portrait, and she’s scrambling to get everyone together, looking perfect and idyllic.
Gloria and Phil take Manny and Alex to a basketball game, and the two share an innocent kiss. Luke interviews Jay for a school project, and Mitch is left alone at home with Lily and a pigeon after Cam scores a gig as a wedding singer.
My Funky Valentine (8.7)
In the first Valentine’s Day to be celebrated by the clan, Mitchell and Cam decide to help out Manny with his love life, and Phil and Claire decide to do a little something different – a little roleplaying that introduced the audience to Clive Bixby and Julianna.
In the meantime, Jay and Gloria’s idea of what a romantic night consists of aren’t exactly aligned, and she isn’t happy when he takes her to a comedy show. Eventually, they solve their differences and have a good time together.
Fizbo (8.7)
Cam’s clown persona Fizbo became a staple of the show for seasons to come, and it was in the ninth episode of the first season that he was introduced to the audiences in the context of Luke’s birthday party.
Things don’t go exactly as planned, and Luke ends up in the hospital with a broken arm. However, he doesn’t seem to mind and lets everyone know that this was the best birthday ever because he loves his cast so much.
