Modern Family backdrop
Comedy

The Best Episodes of Modern Family Season 2

Every episode of Modern Family Season 2 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Modern Family Season 2!

Binge this in 9h 0m•Peaking at 8.9/10

The Pritchett-Dunphy-Tucker clan is a wonderfully large and blended family. They give us an honest and often hilarious look into the sometimes warm, sometimes twisted, embrace of the modern family.

Airs on
ABC
BestEpisodes
WorstEpisodes
BestSeasons
AllEpisodes

Seasons11

All1234567891011

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Modern Family Season 2 Episode 13 - Caught in the Act
    8.9/10(4779 votes)

    S2:E13

    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
    Writers:Steven Levitan, Jeffrey Richman

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  2. Modern Family Season 2 Episode 6 - Halloween
    8.5/10(3845 votes)

    S2:E6

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  3. Modern Family Season 2 Episode 8 - Manny Get Your Gun
    8.3/10(3780 votes)

    S2:E8

    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

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  4. Modern Family Season 2 Episode 18 - Boys' Night
    8.2/10(3424 votes)

    S2:E18

    Luke becomes friends with a curmudgeon old neighbor, which does not please Phil and Claire. Meanwhile, Gloria and Manny try to get Jay to join them at the symphony, but in an attempt to avoid the concert, he instead ends up with Mitchell and Cameron on their "boys' night out" while Haley babysits for Lily.

    Director:Chris Koch
    Writers:Steven Levitan, Jeffrey Richman

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  5. Modern Family Season 2 Episode 19 - The Musical Man
    8.2/10(3446 votes)

    S2:E19

    Cameron is overzealous in his planning of the spring musical performance at Luke and Manny's school. Jay's brother visits while Phil convinces the family to be in his new TV ad.

    Director:Michael Spiller
    Writers:Brad Walsh, Paul Corrigan

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  6. Modern Family Season 2 Episode 23 - See You Next Fall
    8.2/10(3292 votes)

    S2:E23

    The whole family is gathering at Jay's before heading out to Alex's graduation ceremony from middle school, but while at the house, Jay is preoccupied hiding a botox mishap from everyone, Cameron is upset about Mitchell's habit of laughing at his expense, and Phil tries to sympathize with, yet also criticizes Claire on her impending breakdown over the kids growing up too fast. All of this, plus a faulty gate, could mean their missing Alex's big moment.

    Director:Steven Levitan
    Writer:Danny Zuker

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

    7. Trending NowTRENDING NOW

    The 20 BEST Episodes of Modern Family

    READ
  7. Modern Family Season 2 Episode 5 - Unplugged
    8.1/10(3540 votes)

    S2:E5

    In an attempt to reconnect the family, Phil and Claire challenge the family to see who can abstain from using their electronic devices the longest. Meanwhile, Mitchell and Cameron attempt to get Lilly into the best pre-school and Gloria deals with the neighbor's barking dog.

    Director:Michael Spiller
    Writer:Steven Levitan

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  8. Modern Family Season 2 Episode 11 - Slow Down Your Neighbors
    8.1/10(3556 votes)

    S2:E11

    Claire becomes a determined neighborhood vigilante hoping to catch and stop a menacing car that speeds though their streets. Meanwhile, Phil is busy trying to land an important listing with a difficult client, Jay teaches Manny how to ride a bike -- only to learn Gloria needs lessons too -- and Mitchell and Cameron stumble upon a mysterious neighbor who is quite the charmer.

    Director:Gail Mancuso
    Writer:Ilana Wernick

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  9. Modern Family Season 2 Episode 14 - Bixby's Back
    8.1/10(3357 votes)

    S2:E14

    Claire and Phil decide to reprise their role-playing adventure from last year's Valentine's Day. Meanwhile, Jay's surprise plans for Gloria keeps getting interrupted, and a secret admirer comes between Cameron and Mitchell.

    Director:Chris Koch
    Writer:Danny Zuker

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  10. Modern Family Season 2 Episode 21 - Mother's Day
    8.1/10(3303 votes)

    S2:E21

    Claire and Gloria's Mother's Day excursion outdoors with the kids turns into the mother of all disasters. Meanwhile, Phil and Jay share an awkward moment when they stay home to prepare dinner for everyone, and Cameron worries about gender roles in his relationship with Mitchell.

    Director:Michael Spiller
    Writer:Dan O'Shannon

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  11. Modern Family Season 2 Episode 22 - Good Cop, Bad Dog
    8.1/10(3303 votes)

    S2:E22

    Jay advises a dog trainer, while Phil and Claire switch parenting duties to the kids' chagrin. Mitchell has an extra Lady Gaga ticket when Cameron ends up sick.

    Director:Fred Savage
    Writer:Unknown

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  12. Modern Family Season 2 Episode 2 - The Kiss
    8.0/10(3622 votes)

    S2:E2

    Gloria decides to honor her late grandmother by cooking more traditional Colombian meals; Claire finds out Alex is interested in a boy; Mitchell's aversion to public displays of affection causes an argument.

    Director:Scott Ellis
    Writer:Abraham Higginbotham

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  13. Modern Family Season 2 Episode 16 - Regrets Only
    8.0/10(3321 votes)

    S2:E16

    Phil and Claire have a huge fight and Phil hasn't a clue as to what it was over, so Gloria steps in to counsel Phil while Jay counsels Claire. Meanwhile, Jay has some regret in buying Gloria a karaoke machine, and Cameron is in full prep mode for a huge fund-raising event and asks Mitchell and Luke for help.

    Director:Dean Parisot
    Writer:Abraham Higginbotham

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  14. Modern Family Season 2 Episode 20 - Someone to Watch Over Lily
    8.0/10(3189 votes)

    S2:E20

    Mitchell and Cameron assess their family members in trying to decide who would best take care of Lily should anything happen to them.

    Director:Michael Spiller
    Writer:Bill Wrubel

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  15. Modern Family Season 2 Episode 24 - The One That Got Away
    8.0/10(3193 votes)

    S2:E24

    Jay wants to go fishing on his birthday, but the family insists he have a big party, leading Claire and Mitchell to get trapped in their childhood yard, Phil to encounter his college nemesis at the mall and Cameron to have trouble at the bakery.

    Director:James Bagdonas
    Writers:Brad Walsh, Dan O'Shannon, Paul Corrigan

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  16. Modern Family Season 2 Episode 1 - The Old Wagon
    7.9/10(3664 votes)

    S2:E1

    Phil finally agrees to sell the old station wagon but only after a family trip down memory lane; Cameron asks Jay for help when Mitchell decides to build a life-size princess castle for Lily.

    Director:Michael Spiller
    Writer:Bill Wrubel

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  17. Modern Family Season 2 Episode 4 - Strangers on a Treadmill
    7.9/10(3442 votes)

    S2:E4

    Claire tries to stop Phil from embarrassing himself at a realtors' banquet by giving an unfunny speech, while Mitchell tries to convince Cameron to change his wardrobe. Meanwhile, Jay and Gloria go to a quinceañera hosted by one of his employees, and Haley gives Alex advice on how to be cool.

    Director:Scott Ellis
    Writer:Danny Zuker

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  18. Modern Family Season 2 Episode 12 - Our Children, Ourselves
    7.8/10(3359 votes)

    S2:E12

    Phil and Claire pressure Alex to ease back on her school work, but begin to worry about their own intellectual drives. Meanwhile, Jay is upset when Gloria tries to befriend a new couple, and Mitchell runs into an old female flame.

    Director:Adam Shankman
    Writers:Dan O'Shannon, Bill Wrubel

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  19. Modern Family Season 2 Episode 3 - Earthquake
    7.7/10(3528 votes)

    S2:E3

    When an earthquake hits, Claire gets stuck in the bathroom with the plumber; Manny experiences an existential crisis while out with Jay; Mitchell and Cameron use the quake as an excuse to get out of a party thrown by a friend (Nathan Lane).

    Director:Michael Spiller
    Writers:Brad Walsh, Paul Corrigan

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  20. Modern Family Season 2 Episode 7 - Chirp
    7.6/10(3370 votes)

    S2:E7

    Claire and Haley have a bit of quality girl time while they're stuck at home sick, and Phil is preoccupied by the taunts of a chirping smoke detector. Gloria and Manny's surprise visit at Jay's work leads to headaches for Jay, and Cameron gets swept up by all the lights and cameras when he goes behind Mitchell's back and takes Lily for a commercial.

    Director:Michael Spiller
    Writer:Dan O'Shannon

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  21. Modern Family Season 2 Episode 17 - Two Monkeys and a Panda
    7.6/10(3223 votes)

    S2:E17

    Claire runs herself ragged trying to fix the relationship between Haley and Alex, while Phil sneaks off to the spa. Meanwhile, Gloria is horrified by Jay's morbid plans to purchase two side-by-side crypts in preparation of their death, and Cameron decides he wants to write a book that celebrates the fact that Lily is adopted, but soon learns something new.

    Director:Beth McCarthy-Miller
    Writer:Carol Leifer

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  22. Modern Family Season 2 Episode 9 - Mother Tucker
    7.5/10(3290 votes)

    S2:E9

    Mitchell tries to tell Cameron how he feels uncomfortable with his mom, Barb Tucker. Meanwhile, Haley breaks up with Dylan much to Phil's dismay and Claire's delight. Jay has a little stomach ache that gets exacerbated when he and Manny look it up on the Internet.

    Director:Michael Spiller
    Writers:Brad Walsh, Paul Corrigan

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  23. Modern Family Season 2 Episode 15 - Princess Party
    7.5/10(3291 votes)

    S2:E15

    The guest list for Lily's princess-themed birthday party gets a little out of hand when Mitchell decides to invite his mom, much to Claire's dismay, and disinvite Fizbo, much to Cameron's dismay. Things get even more strange when DeDe shows up with Claire's old high school boyfriend in tow, and Jay and Gloria each turn to their own unique methods of dealing with this gathering of misfits.

    Director:Michael Spiller
    Writer:Elaine Ko

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

  24. Modern Family Season 2 Episode 10 - Dance Dance Revelation
    7.4/10(3296 votes)

    S2:E10

    At Luke and Manny's first school dance, Jay and Phil take them to the mall which turns disastrous, Claire's happiness turns into jealousy when Gloria joins the school dance committee. Meanwhile, Cameron and Mitchell learn about Lily biting other kids at the playground.

    Director:Gail Mancuso
    Writer:Ilana Wernick

    Be the first to start the conversation for this episode

Season 2 Ratings Summary

"Caught in the Act" is the best rated episode of "Modern Family" season 2. It scored 8.9/10 based on 4779 votes. Directed by Michael Spiller and written by Steven Levitan, Jeffrey Richman, it aired on 1/19/2011. This episode is rated 0.4 points higher than the second-best, "Halloween".