Finally! We have dual couch sessions.

Some of the best banter happened on the couch during Modern Family Season 9 Episode 20, as we celebrated another Mother's Day with the Dunphys and the Pritchetts.

From the previews, it seemed like the storyline was going to be centered around Claire and the portrait, but it was centered more on Dede.

Personally, I love it when Dede visits. She like a powerful little tornado that rips through all the houses, and it's always at the most inopportune times. She brings something different to the table, and I like how she shakes up everybody.

There's a box out here marked fruit of the month. I'm assuming that means one of you won a contest.
Pam

Permalink: There's a box out here marked fruit of the month. I'm assuming that means one of you won a...

I also think it's nice how, even though they complain about her, they all accept her into the family fold, including Gloria now. Everyone's over that whole disastrous wedding scene and her pummeling Gloria, right? Right.

Let's move on.

In this episode, boy, did she take a beating.

The poor woman is having marital problems and looking to her family for comfort and advice, but all they do is treat her like she's a pain in the butt. They all want to use her for their own benefit, and all she wants is a little love.

Yes, she manipulates, but it comes from a place of love and experience and nothing else. I felt for her. All good moms do the best they can for those they love, and that was the whole point when the moms banned together at the end.

Dede drives Claire up a wall, but even Claire could empathize with her mom and relate in a way that only a mother could.

Her therapy dog got the flu, so I get to ride first class. Well, on her lap.
Hayley

Permalink: Her therapy dog got the flu, so I get to ride first class. Well, on her lap.

Speaking of Claire, they paint her as such an ogre at the Dunphy household. She may be anal when it comes to chores, or God forbid, anybody says they're bored, but they treat her like she beats them with giant sticks on a regular basis.

In truth, she's just like any other mom. She's got a million things to do, and she does it all the best way she can, roping in help when she needs it.

I know I've complained about her treatment of Phil. At times she can be downright mean and condescending to him. But, she loves him and her children, and there's no reason for them to treat her like some kind of crazed maniac who can only be approached once a year at spa time.

Give me a break.

Overall, though, this episode was funnier and better than most of this season, and I happily welcomed the couch sessions. As I've said in the past, the best banter happens on the couch, and we've been missing that.

You still got it! And to think I was worried last night, when you were trying to turn on your phone flashlight, and ended up taking like 30 pictures of your angry face.
Manny

Permalink: You still got it! And to think I was worried last night, when you were trying to turn on your...

Who would've thought that messing with one simple thing could throw off the feel of the whole show?

That wasn't the only reason I had fun watching this Modern Family. The one-liners were better and on par with what's always made this show funny, and they had a bit of slapstick!

That's always funny when done right.

Modern Family Season 9 Episode 19 Review: CHiPs and Salsa

When Phil tripped over Mitchell because he blended in with the carpet, I choked on my water. It reminded me of Dick Van Dyke on the Dick Van Dyke Show, how he was always tripping over things and catching himself.

I wouldn't be surprised if Ty Burrell got some inspiration for Phil from Van Dyke's character.

And that's exactly what this season has been missing. Was it perfect? No, but they're back on the right track.

It came as no surprise that Phil would be the voice of reason at the end, and bring everyone together. He's such a peacemaker and has always been the calm one.

He finally got his part in the movie, and he nailed it when it mattered the most.

If Modern Family stays on this upward track, I do believe it can be saved and be returned to one of the funniest shows on TV.

One can only hope.

Tarnation! Here comes your kin! Git! Git!
Cameron

Permalink: Tarnation! Here comes your kin! Git! Git!

The saddest thing for a show is to go out on a low note, and if Modern Family ends, I'd like it to go out with a bang.

Over to you, Modern Family fans. What did you think of this mom-centered episode? What was the funniest scene that made you laugh out loud? Were you as excited as I was to see the couch session banter again? I would love to hear what you think.