Ep 23. See You Next Fall

In "See You Next Fall," the 23rd episode of Modern Family's second season, the Pritchett-Dunphy clan gets ready for the school year to end and for the summer to begin.

Phil decides to throw a big party for the family and invites some of his work colleagues, among them his boss, who is also his neighbor. Phil is eager to impress his boss, who represents his dream job, but things don't go as planned. The party is ruined by a series of awkward moments and embarrassing incidents, culminating in a dramatic and humorous fall down the stairs by one of the characters, as the title suggests.

Meanwhile, Cameron and Mitchell are dealing with the pressure of their daughter Lily's graduation from preschool. They both want to make the perfect video tribute for her, but they have different views on what it should include. Cameron is more sentimental and emotional, while Mitchell is more practical and factual. They end up arguing and competing, which makes Lily feel left out and confused.

Jay and Gloria are also facing a dilemma as they try to find the perfect gift for Manny's birthday, which falls on the same day as Lily's graduation. They come up with different ideas, but they both realize that what Manny really wants is to spend time with his biological father, who lives far away and hasn't seen him in a while. Jay and Gloria decide to surprise Manny by arranging a video call with his dad, which turns out to be emotional and heartwarming.

Finally, Haley and Alex are dealing with their own issues as they prepare for their final exams. While Alex is stressing out and studying non-stop, Haley is procrastinating and avoiding her responsibilities. Their parents try to help them in their different ways, but they also realize that they need to let them make their own choices and learn from their mistakes.

"See You Next Fall" is a funny and touching episode that showcases the strengths of Modern Family's ensemble cast and the nuances of its writing. It explores themes of family, ambition, and creativity in a relatable and entertaining way, and it sets up the stage for the season finale, which promises to bring more surprises and laughs.