The family’s trip to Disneyland finally makes a statement regarding a most atrocious parental ploy: child leashes.
As an award-winning family comedy, Modern Family has the unique opportunity to make a significant statement to millions of viewers every week. Even though it shouldn’t be, gay marriage is a point of ranging controversy, and ABC’s popular comedy manages to say a lot precisely by saying very little. Cameron and Mitchel face the same problems with Lily that every other parent in history has and will ever experience, unrelated to sexual orientation. The family’s trip to Disneyland finally makes a statement regarding a most atrocious parental ploy: child leashes.
Cameron and Mitchell have recently had to invest some money and some ignorance into a “child restraint mechanism” in order to cope with Lily’s newest “dashing” phase. Even though Mitch sees the point of the criticism they receive from his family and from the lingering stares of strangers, it appears that Cam is more realistic about keeping Lily leashed. Though I understand parenting can be exhausting, and I’m about as qualified as a shrub in making this statement – a parent should be able to keep up with their kids.
And apparently I’m not the only one that thinks that, as Jay is quick to find a way to shorten Lily’s leash without needing the leash at all. After anticipating Gloria’s unpreparedness in bringing high heels to an amusement park, Jay buys her a pair of souvenir slippers. You know the ones – big, colorful foot-pillows that feel like clouds. In order to keep Lily close, he takes the opposite approach, making the grandfatherly gesture of buying Lily the movement-muddling high-heels that her parents didn’t want to buy her.
The sudden shift to comfort puts Gloria in a stellar mood, making Jay’s Disney adventure markedly better than when he took Mitchell and Claire when they were kids. Phil, on the other hand, is starting to feel the impact of his age, and is noticeably uncomfortable after his first ride. Even though he shares Luke’s enthusiasm, Phil feels as though he can’t keep up with his son anymore. Luke reassures Phil, however, that they’ll always find a way to have fun – even if it means pushing Phil’s wheelchair really fast.
Even though the innocent joys of Disneyland should only be shared with family, Claire uses the occasion to attempt the redirection of Hayley’s romantic interests. After breaking up with Dylan, Hayley has been largely preoccupied with her college future – or potential lack thereof. Even though Claire’s attempted matchmaking starts off too well – Alex is as taken with the young man’s intellect and musical talents as Hayley is by his looks – the family stumbles upon the long-absent Dylan working his new job.
Hayley is both angry and embarrassed at Dylan’s relocation to Anaheim in order to be part of a barbershop quartet on a tandem bicycle. He steals the “Little John” bear costume in order to explain himself, and even though Hayley’s new potential interest defends his ground by physically pushing Dylan to the same, Dylan comes out on top. Despite, or maybe because of getting Dylan fired, Hayley decides to take him back, apparently past his spontaneous proposal in the season premiere.
Some stats and info about Modern Family, “Disneyland”
TV SHOW – Modern Family
SEASON/EPISODE – Season 1, Episode 22
AIRED ON – May 9th, 2012
NETWORK/STREAMING SERVICE – ABC
GENRE – Comedy, Relationship Shows
CREATED BY – Steven Levitan, Christopher Lloyd
CAST – Ed O’Neill, Sofia Vergara, Julie Bowen, Ty Burell, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Eric Stonestreet, Rico Rodriguez, Nolan Gould, Sarah Hyland, Areil Winter, Aubrey Anderson-Emmons
This review originally appeared on TV Geek Army.