'Modern Family' Review/Recap: "Marco Polo"

Evan Slead ’16 / Emertainment Monthly Staff Writer

How much is too much when it comes to spending time with the people you love? This week’s episode of Modern Family, “Marco Polo”, answers that question with one big family and three little perspectives. The Dunphy’s are forced to spend a weekend in a motel as the mold that infested their home is taken out. Manny (Rico Rodriguez) strikes the jackpot and begins dating a beautiful, popular girl which brings alarm to Gloria (Sofia Vergara) that she may be losing her little boy. Cam (Eric Stonestreet) has had an amazing winning streak with his football team, so when Mitch (Jesse Tyler Ferguson) wants to put a damper on them, he becomes alarmed.
Phil (Ty Burrell) has and always will be the quintessential family man. While the rest of his family, with Claire (Julie Bowen) taking the charge, is less than enthused for having to spend three days in tiny motel, Phil is ecstatic to have the close family time. Secretly, Claire gets a separate room from the family, and when Phil discovers her dark secret, he feels utterly betrayed. As with many situations the writers concoct on the show, this “separation” of spouses is played out completely for laughs. Leave it to Modern Family to make the proposition of divorce light hearted and laugh out loud. Phil meets two other men near the motel “buffet” which includes chips and endless wine from a box. He confides in the men over his “separation” which prompts them to suggest he move on to a new woman. Of course, Phil meets a beautiful Nigerian woman…and her family. They play Marco Polo in the pool together, obviously, like any family affair would entail. Eventually, his family comes around and begins and impromptu game of Marco Polo just for him. It’s okay Phil, your family still loves you more than anything.

Jay (Ed O’Neill) and Gloria have the sneaking suspicion that Manny has a little secret up his sleeve. It turns out that secret isn’t so little though. He has a new beau in the form of the beautiful and seemingly perfect Sam. She’s not only popular, but she drives too! Gloria begins to feel her place as the most important woman in Manny’s life disappear as this new model steps in. It’s a great play on the dynamic that Jay and Gloria shared as a new couple with Manny seemingly going for a newer and younger “partner”. It goes to show that relationships at any point in life; a concept that the show loves to explore. Unfortunately, Jay sees Sam kissing another guy and fears he has to break the news to Manny. It turns out that Sam was just using Manny to make an ex-boyfriend jealous; a cruel act, but also a compliment to Manny as Jay points out. She could have chosen anyone, but she chose Manny. A little victory in a mess of a situation.
The final piece of the trio story falls with Mitch and Cam. Cam is on top of the world with his coaching of the school football team. Undefeated and only going upward, Cam relies heavily on his rituals to promote the best amount of good luck possible. Mitch of course finds this all ridiculous and goofy, which he doesn’t mind expressing. Upsetting Cam, Mitch decides to take one for the team and try to be supportive of Cam’s victories. He shows up to the game, only suddenly, the team starts to lose goals. Cam realizes that Mitch’s presence is causing a rift in his perfectly orchestrated mojo ritual. Once again, a great dynamic to play on when someone complains about not receiving support, only to receive it and ultimately reject it. It reveals that comedic and juvenile layer underneath all people when what they think they want turns out to be false. The team does end up dominating which sends Cam into apology onslaught. Overall, a solid episode that does what Modern Family does best. Relating all three stories into one and inviting the audience to sympathize through humor.
Modern Family airs Wednesday’s at 9/8c on ABC.