Modern Family (Season Two)

I was trying to remember why, during its airing, I was pretty much done with “Modern Family” by the end of its second season. On reflection, it’s because, for as good as it is at hitting its formula, it’s a transparent formula—conflict born of misunderstanding or lie escalates until it is diffused at the end of the episode, glurge sentiments, decent throwaway gag, credits. It’s fine for the first season’s twenty-four episodes, but it’s closing in on fifty by this season’s end and oh boy is that starting to become a problem. And there’s eleven seasons?! Oh, fresh hell.

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