The Alliance

Phil, Gloria and Cameron use their secret alliance to help each other with tasks; Mitchell becomes suspicious of their behavior; Claire wants to make a decision without the retired Jay's help; Haley spend a day with Rainer's daughter, April; Luke and Jay work together with the latter's petition.

The eight season was not particularly satisfying, compared to the previous seasons. However, "The Alliance" introduces a fascinating storyline that mimics the typical "detective-vs.-criminal"-storyline (The Pritchetts vs. the Alliance), while not betraying its original plot.

Orange juice, Russian Gloria, sigars and the Italy-trip are the only words we need in order to explain the episode. The episode wonderfully wraps up by using the small clues in the beginning to conclude the episode.

Clearly, there are many good episodes throughout all the seasons of Modern Family. However, this episode brings out a pattern occurring in the whole show to the front. Namely, the Alliance of Gloria, Phil and Cameron against their Pritchett spouses.

It is with great humour and beauty that this episode is brought around, concluding on seasons of brilliant work in pushing this subtle narrative and finally bringing it to light.

The writers have done an incredible job in making this episode such a delightful experience, while the actors are just as great as usual in their comic timing and delivering an excellent performance.

10/10!