MODERN FAMILY: Goodnight Gracie Recap

Modern Family did a good job of keeping the laughs throughout a sad situation in this year’s season finale. Fred Willard returned as Phil’s Dad and it was a funny and touching way to end the season.  Let’s get to it.

Gracie, Phil’s mom, passed away and the whole family went to Florida to support Phil. Gloria was dressed in all black including a veil. She was trying to hide because she is a wanted woman in Florida. When she moved away from her old residence in Florida, her roommate started a brothel. Since Gloria’s name was on the lease, she was headed to court.

Phil’s Mom left a shoe box with letters in it for Phil and the kids. He wasn’t ready to read his letter so he asked Claire to do it. Her last wish was for Phil to set up his father with a nice woman in the neighborhood named Annie (before the vultures in the neighborhood got to him). Phil thought it was too soon and didn’t want to do it. He felt like his Dad could choose his own girlfriend when he was ready. According to Phil, that was the upside to losing your wife; as well as not having to think before you speak. On the other hand, Claire wanted to honor her last wish.

Phil gave the kids their gifts from their grandmother.  Haley got a necklace, Luke got a pocket watch, and Alex got a lighter. Alex always thought she had a strong connection with her grandmother because they were so much alike. She didn’t understand why she left her a lighter and the note said “This is a lighter.” She did not get it.

Phil and Claire took a nice walk around the neighborhood and ended up at a house Claire loved. She walked up to the door and Phil knew she was up to something. It was Annie’s house. A man answered and they assumed it was her boyfriend (we later find out it was her brother) so Claire made up a lie about selling vacuums (even though they had none to sell). Phil made her admit that she made a mistake and they left.  

In court, Mitchell went with Gloria to help her out and ended up representing people that didn’t have lawyers. Each case he won, he got a little more confident and dramatic.  He worked up a sweat and it was hilarious! By the time the judge got to Gloria’s case, she dismissed it because she was so sick of Mitchell by that point. Later Mitchell told Cam that he wanted to get back in the courtroom and quit his current job.

Cam walked around the retirement home and found a group of ladies in a book club. He was having a great time with this elderly bunch. They played games and talked about books. Then he stirred the pot when he caught one of them cheating, and another one stealing cookies. He gossiped about it to the other ladies, and it started a big argument. Cam removed himself from the situation because apparently drama follows him.

Jay was introduced to the neighbor across the street and thought she looked familiar. It finally hit him that she was his first experience with a woman. He was heading out to war and she gave him a special night. He started telling her the story, but she didn’t really remember him. She pretended to remember Jay and got a box of special trinkets given to her by her lovers. None of them were Jay’s. Apparently, she sent quite a few men off to war with a smile on their face.

When Claire and Phil got home from their walk, the vultures had taken over. There were three women there with food, flirting with Phil’s Dad. Phil saw what his mother referred to in her note and decided to go back to Annie’s house. He explained that they don’t sell vacuums. He told her about the letter and that his mom thought she would be good for his father. He got emotional talking about his mom and said she always looked out for them. Annie was very sweet and hugged Phil and apologized for his loss. His mom was right about her, Annie was very sweet.

Alex, still puzzled about the lighter, sat on the couch looking at pictures with her Grandfather. He told her that the note could open. She opened it and the mystery of the lighter was revealed to her.

At the funeral, Alex wanted to say a few words about her grandmother. She mentioned their connection and that they might not understand what she was about to do, but her grandmother would have loved it. She took the lighter and lit fireworks. The fourth of July was Gracie’s favorite holiday and she loved fireworks. While the family watched, there was a voiceover reading Alex’s letter from Gracie. It said, “This is a lighter. It belonged to my favorite actor, Paul Newman. One day, he came into the restaurant where I was waitressing and accidentally left it behind. For the first time in my life, I did something I wasn’t supposed to, and slipped it into my pocket. One of the customers saw and said, ‘Don’t worry. Your secret’s safe with me.’ That customer turned out to be the love of my life, your grandfather. So, my Alex, who I love so dearly, who’s probably too much like me for her own good, every once in a while, don’t be afraid to break the rules. You never know what can happen.” It was so touching and a great way to end this season.

Modern Family airs Wednesday nights at 9/8c on ABC.