Once again, Modern Family was able to show us that its humor comes from only one source: real life.

Coming from a family of three kids, we were touchingly reminded of our own not-too-distant childhoods because of the way the Dunphy siblings teamed up in this episode. Haley is growing up to be a responsible (mostly) older sister, Alex is neurotic (and for this reason especially reminiscent of ourselves), and Luke is delightfully clueless. Phil and Claire were, as always, amazingly silly and immature but all-too-real and effective in reminding us that parents, too, learn along the way.

Cam and Mitchell are not just stereotypes but more, and, for that reason, funny and innovative. Architectural Digest? We die. (We subscribe.)

Hits:

-Gloria’s emotional apology gone wrong. Way wrong.

-Haley’s ceaseless smiles and nods when Claire and Phil held the family meeting.

-The noisy lock.

-Shawarma City.

Misses:

-No Manny. Oh well; you win some and you lose some.