Quick Take: Modern Family, “Aunt Mommy”
“That game already exists – it’s called 'alcoholism.'" – Mitch
Review: Modern Family, “Aunt Mommy”
(S0315) It’s certainly a twisted state of affairs when there are more states that legally oppose the relationship between Cameron and Mitchell than there are against copulating with your sibling –- or a horse, for that matter, but we’ll stick with the sibling issue. Modern Family already boasts one of the most dynamic, bizarrely-related casts of characters without earning themselves the label “hillbillies.” Sure, it’s strange that 12-year old Manny has two siblings whose children are his nieces, nephews, and cousins, but what about going through life with an “Aunt Mommy?”
Cam and Mitch have been trying for a year to adopt a baby boy, but to no avail. When they join Phil and Claire for dinner to celebrate the listing they helped him sell to their friends, everyone overindulges – Phil remembers crying – and three out of four wake up hung over and full of regret.
Earlier in the day when Claire rushes home expecting broken dishes, stray marbles, and reanimated squirrels, she instead finds Luke, Hayley and Alex demonstrating Phil and Claire’s best qualities. She’s so proud to have seen her parenting paying off, that she wants Cam and Mitch to have the same experience. Since a Tucker-Pritchett baby would be otherwise out of the question, Claire offers to take up her brother’s genetic half by donating one of her eggs.
The next morning, however, Cameron is the only one still thrilled at the news, even going so far as to using the internet to predict what his and Claire's baby would look like. Though Mitch mostly feels left out, he also realizes how unnatural it would be for the hypothetical baby to have an “Aunt Mommy” – even more awkward if he turns out better than any of Claire’s other children - or worse yet, like Claire. Before the four of them have a chance to confront each other, however, the secret slips. First, to Luke, Hayley, and Alex, who are mostly supportive of the decision; then, to Jay and Gloria, who are both against the idea, but split on whether or not to get involved.
At this point, Gloria is mad at Jay for interfering in her quality time with Manny. Instead of letting them go to the theatre, he cancels their plans and gets Manny out on the field with some kids from school to play football. He starts off strong, but when he stops his touchdown run to snag a lucky heads-up penny, he gets trampled. Milking the hit for all it was worth, Manny stays off his feet by scooting around in an electric wheelchair for the rest of the episode.
When Jay tries to put his foot down on the issue, Claire and Mitch dance around admitting that they don’t actually want to follow through with their inebriated promise, just to make dad mad. They finally meet and break the news to Cam, but he takes it all in stride – as does Mitch – when they see Lily showing off the best of their fashion flare and sense for sorting. Chalk up a victory for nurture trumping nature, and nature trumping the general existence of “Aunt Mommies.”
