Modern Family: Lessons from Modern Fiasco

Modern Family is an ABC sitcom with 11 seasons, airing from 2009 all the way to 2020, with 22 episodes each except for the season finale, which has only 18 episodes. I binge-watched the series in 2 weeks, which has been an emotional rollercoaster and of course, like other cases in sitcom-watching experience: causing emotional attachment.

The show consisted of the story of 3 families, the Dunphys, the Delgado-Pritchetts, and the Tucker-Pritchetts, in which they all are a member of the Pritchett extended family. The story tackled many family-related stories, which might be the main reason why I grew an emotional bond over this series quickly.

The main interesting notion present in this show, I have to say, is the notion that families do not need to be perfect in order to be a perfect family. Perfectly imperfect, some might say. Fiascos always happened in this TV show from time to time, starting from Claire Dunphy’s unfondness of her step mother Gloria Pritchett, until the struggle for Alex Dunphy where she liked her sister Haley Dunphy’s lover. All and all, it is always present by the end of the 22-mins ish episode that the problems got solved at the end of the day, and they remained families, after all.

The show also portrayed a perfect depiction of children growing up, which at first caused fiascos after fiascos in the household, until they eventually move out from their childhood houses. Aging, growing up, even quarter-life crisis issues are present in this show.

My personal favourite quote from this show is, a quote from Phil Dunphy to her newly-entering the 20s daughter Haley, in which he says;

“You’re finding your way. That’s what your 20s are for — to take chances, to make mistakes, and to learn from them. And you are learning from them”.

The quote hit me pretty hard, pretty sure because of its relevance (19 going on 20 here).

As for the children characters that goes on until adults throughout the seasons, the audience can also see the Dunphy kids and Manny Delgado finding themselves and struggle here and there, but eventually are able to stand on their own feet while pursuing different pathways.

All and all, the family fiascos in Modern Family just adds the value of the family and showing how much fiascos are just beautiful memories in disguise, which will be treasured in years coming.

Overall rating: 9/10

Where to watch: Netflix

Personal-rated best episode: S8 E22 “The Graduates”