The Best Episodes of Modern Family

Claire does some online snooping that causes drama with the rest of the family.

Director: Steven Levitan

Writer: Steven Levitan, Megan Ganz

he adults are Vegas-bound when Jay hooks them up with Excelsior Level hotel accommodations courtesy of one of his big clients, but after learning there’s an even higher level, Jay becomes obsessed with upgrading. Meanwhile, everyone’s sneaking around when Claire secretly hits the tables to win back money she lost years ago, Phil goes underground auditioning for a secret society of magicians, Cam ducks out of a spa day with Mitch to join their friend’s bachelor party shenanigans, and Gloria is determined to hide a female version of dog butler Barkley from Jay.

Director: Gail Mancuso

Writer: Brad Walsh, Paul Corrigan, Bill Wrubel

It's Phil and Claire's anniversary, and when the kids go to surprise them with breakfast in bed, they get a surprise of their own. Jay and Gloria's plans for a Vegas vacation are ruined because of a brutally honest email accidentally sent to Claire, and Mitchell and Cam try to get into a new restaurant owned by a mom at Lily's preschool.

Director: Michael Spiller

Writer: Steven Levitan, Jeffrey Richman

When Gloria's mother and sister visit, they bring traditions, baby names and family baggage; Phil helps the kids with their problems; Mitchell and Cameron try to correct Lily's bad habits.

Director: Lev L. Spiro

Writer: Bill Wrubel

The sixth season ends with Alex's graduation party at Jay and Gloria's house, but Phil is stuck in Seattle on a business trip, so he uses the latest in technology to be as close as he can get. Meanwhile, Claire worries about Alex's gift, Jay complains that Gloria's cousin has overstayed his welcome, Mitchell keeps the news of his layoff a secret from Cameron, and a visit from Andy's girlfriend turns Haley's world upside down.

Director: Steven Levitan

Writer: Elaine Ko

Nothing is too big when Phil and Claire decide to throw Luke the biggest and best birthday party a boy could ever want, but when Cameron shows up as Fizbo the Clown, it sets off a chain of events that ends with someone in the hospital.

Director: Jason Winer, Randall Einhorn

Writer: Danny Zuker

Phil and Claire break from their traditional Valentine's Day dinner date and plan a little "role play" excursion. Meanwhile, Jay and Gloria's ideas of romance clash when he takes her to a comedy show, and Mitchell and Cameron play cupid for Manny.

Director: Michael Spiller

Writer: Jerry Collins

Claire painstakingly plans for a new family portrait to be taken, but it seems like everything and everybody is working against her. Gloria and Manny go with Phil and Alex to a Lakers game and end up having a very awkward moment on the jumbotron; Luke interviews Jay for a school project, and Cameron gets a gig as a wedding singer while Mitchell is home alone with Lily and a wayward pigeon.

Director: Jason Winer

Writer: Ilana Wernick

Gloria's bilingualism comes in handy on Mitchell and Cameron's quest to adopt another child. Meanwhile, Jay and Manny help Lily get ready for a dance recital. Alex goes to her first prom, and Haley announces her future plans, which come as a shock to her family.

Director: Steven Levitan

Writer: Abraham Higginbotham

Claire and Phil embarass Haley when they drop her off at college; Manny makes Gloria and Jay take a class; Lily gets into a tussle on her first day of kindergarten.

Director: Jeff Melman

Writer: Dan O'Shannon, Steven Levitan

The wedding day chaos continue as the entire party shifts from one contingency plan to another. Guests start to get testy, Mitchell and Cameron are feeling discouraged and poor Claire shows physical wear and tear, but an unexpected turn of events leads to the ceremony we’ve all been waiting for.

Director: Alisa Statman

Writer: Christopher Lloyd, Dan O'Shannon, Megan Ganz

Phil is selling an upscale home where various members of the family sneak off for alone time.

Director: Beth McCarthy-Miller

Writer: Stephen Lloyd

Manny and Luke babysit Lily so the adults in the family can have some fun, which includes Phil and Mitchell seeing a movie, Claire and Gloria going to a spa, and Jay and Cameron hitting a sports bar to watch a big fight, but Claire suspects the boys are going to throw a party.

Director: Steven Levitan

Writer: Vali Chandrasekaran

As the birth of Haley and Dylan’s twins approaches, we take a look back at how each family member celebrated their birthdays this past year.

Director: Steven Levitan

Writer: Steven Levitan

The entire family discovers saying goodbye is much harder than it seems.

Director: Gail Mancuso

Writer: Danny Zuker, Christopher Lloyd, Brad Walsh, Paul Corrigan, Elaine Ko, Vali Chandrasekaran, Jack Burditt

Jay could not be more excited to do nothing but indulge and relax in this tropical paradise, but then an unexpected reality check dampens his plans. Meanwhile, Phil is determined to make this trip romantic for Claire, Mitchell and Cameron have opposing views on whether to sightsee or not to sightsee, and the kids get into a little bit of mischief when left to their own devices.

Director: Steven Levitan

Writer: Brad Walsh, Paul Corrigan

Claire gets ready to spookify the Dunphy house for the trick or treaters during her favorite holiday. She gives each family member a role to play, but nothing goes right. Cameron won't stop hating the holiday due to a traumatic childhood experience. Mitchell had a terrible day at work, and Gloria acts weird after Jay and Manny tease her about her accent.

Director: Michael Spiller

Writer: Jeffrey Richman

Claire prepares for her debate with Duane Bailey. Mitch and Cam try to clean up Lily's language before her turn as a flower girl. Jay blames Stella's strange behavior on Gloria.

Director: Chris Koch

Writer: Cindy Chupack

Cameron watches Alex and Luke while Phil, Claire and Mitchell deal with Haley's arrest; Jay tries to cut a surprise visit from Dede short, so she doesn't learn about Gloria's pregnancy.

Director: Gail Mancuso

Writer: Becky Mann, Audra Sielaff

Gloria and Jay try to make Manny's 14th birthday extra special by planning a surprise party; Haley starts hanging out with a much older guy.

Director: Fred Savage

Writer: Danny Zuker, Christopher Lloyd

The high school open house puts the parents in a bit of a time warp when Claire finds herself stressed out by all the pressure, Gloria encounters a “mean girl” mom and Jay teaches Phil how to play a little hookie. Elsewhere, Mitchell gets defensive when he encounters his judgemental, environmentalist neighbor and Alex goes to see a therapist.

Director: James R. Bagdonas

Writer: Elaine Ko

Hayley's plan for a fun-filled girl's day with Rainer Shine's teen daughter may be a little more angst-filled than expected. Meanwhile, Luke finds himself in a compromising position with a widow at the club and unwittingly helps his grandpa, Jay, with his petition. At the Pritchett-Tucker home, Gloria, Phil and Cam have formed a secret alliance to ensure their respective "mistakes" are concealed from their spouses. However, their diabolical plan may be derailed when Mitchell starts suspecting something just isn't right.

Director: James R. Bagdonas

Writer: Ryan Walls, Andy Gordon

It's Manny's birthday and the family is gathering at a restaurant to celebrate, though Manny himself is depressed about getting older. Phil and Claire decide to engage in a not-so-friendly car race on the way to the restaurant, and Mitch and Cam get sidetracked when they stop at the mall to pick up a gift.

Director: Michael Spiller

Writer: Danny Zuker

Phil and Luke take over Thanksgiving duties but Claire readies an emergency plan. Jay and Gloria get their holiday plans interrupted and regret not telling anyone. Cameron has to think of a way to get Lily to wear a dress for dinner.

Director: Beth McCarthy-Miller

Writer: Jeffrey Richman

A near miss from a crash has everyone in the car either on edge or adopting a new carpe diem mentality.

Director: James R. Bagdonas

Writer: Danny Zuker