9.3/1036 votes#1 - Thirty
Season 3 Episode 9 - Aired 9/26/2023
The trio have amassed a plethora (oh yes, a plethora) of clues, suspects & theories but find no concrete answers about Ben’s murder. They devise a peculiar method of throwing themselves into the actual case to recreate the final moments of Ben’s life.
Director: Cherien Dabis
Writer: Elaine Ko
8.0/1023 votes#3 - Under Pressure
Season 5 Episode 12 - Aired 1/15/2014
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
7.9/1017 votes#4 - American Skyper
Season 6 Episode 24 - Aired 5/20/2015
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
7.8/1011 votes#5 - Finale (2)
Season 11 Episode 18 - Aired 4/8/2020
The entire family discovers saying goodbye is much harder than it seems.
Director: Gail Mancuso
Writer: Elaine Ko
7.8/1012 votes#6 - Double Click
Season 7 Episode 22 - Aired 5/18/2016
Claire can’t seem to find the right time to fire one of her employees, while, back at home, Phil thinks he caught Luke with a girl in his bed, and no one seems to notice that Alex has moved back home for the summer. Jay refuses to accept that it might be harder to reenter the workforce than he thought, and Cameron and Mitch butt heads on how to share time with Lily now that Cameron took a summer job in Kansas City.
Director: James R. Bagdonas
Writer: Elaine Ko
7.7/1018 votes#7 - Farm Strong
Season 5 Episode 4 - Aired 10/9/2013
Cam's sister comes to town with good news, Phil and Claire agree to skip Luke's soccer game, Gloria refuses to admit she needs glasses, and Alex thinks Jay is cheating at Words With Friends.
Director: Alisa Statman
Writer: Elaine Ko
7.6/1013 votes#8 - Thunk in the Trunk
Season 7 Episode 13 - Aired 2/17/2016
Phil feels unappreciated as Claire is busy running the closet business. A life-size standee of Gloria for her hot sauce display receives some unsavory attention. Cam and Mitch feel suspicious of their new renters.
Director: Phil Traill
Writer: Elaine Ko
7.6/1016 votes#9 - Bad Hair Day
Season 4 Episode 16 - Aired 2/20/2013
Things get awkward when Phil shows up at Claire's college reunion. Jay is fixated on winning a big bowling tournament. A wig malfunction during an elaborate photo shoot with Joe leads to unfortunate results.
Director: Gail Mancuso
Writer: Elaine Ko
7.5/1015 votes#10 - Open House of Horrors
Season 4 Episode 5 - Aired 10/24/2012
Claire must reign in her enthusiasm for Halloween and keep her celebration kid-friendly; Phil decides to hold an open house on Halloween; Mitch and Cam have a costume party; Gloria's hormones make her more quick-tempered than usual.
Director: James R. Bagdonas
Writer: Elaine Ko
7.5/1019 votes#11 - Hit and Run
Season 3 Episode 5 - Aired 10/12/2011
Gloria tries to help Jay and Manny with their problems but both are unreceptive. Claire considers running against Councilman Duane Bailey. Cam and Mitch are the victims of a hit-and-run accident.
Director: Jason Winer
Writer: Elaine Ko
7.5/1019 votes#12 - Australia
Season 5 Episode 20 - Aired 4/23/2014
The entire family tags along as Phil fulfills his mom’s wish for him to return to his roots and visit the country where he was conceived, Australia. Unfortunately, Phil’s attempts to embrace his native land are met by a lot of rejection, while Jay and Claire let work eat into vacation time, and Mitch and Cam get reacquainted with an old friend they can’t stand but is now a big-time celebrity in Australia
Director: Steven Levitan
Writer: Elaine Ko
7.5/1019 votes#14 - Princess Party
Season 2 Episode 15 - Aired 2/16/2011
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
7.4/107 votes#15 - Stuck in a Moment
Season 10 Episode 10 - Aired 12/12/2018
Hayley wants to give the family a Christmas gift they will never forget if she can just figure out the perfect time. Claire is mad that Phil has once again borrowed the family Christmas tree for a house-showing. Jay, Gloria and Joe have to deal with some unwelcome visitors over the holidays.
Director: Fred Savage
Writer: Elaine Ko
7.4/1019 votes#16 - Virgin Territory
Season 3 Episode 16 - Aired 2/22/2012
It's a day of disturbing realizations when Mitchell manages to ruin one of Jay's proudest golf moments, Phil overhears something that may forever change how he sees his little girl, and Gloria stumbles upon Claire's dangerous little secret.
Director: Jason Winer
Writer: Elaine Ko
7.4/1019 votes#17 - Tableau Vivant
Season 3 Episode 23 - Aired 5/16/2012
Gloria and Jay bicker while trying to order lunch at a diner. Claire and Cam have different theories on how to discipline kids. Luke accepts an award under false pretenses. Phil has a hard time firing Mitchell from his temporary job at the real estate agency. The entire family participates in Alex's living art display of Norman Rockwell's Thanksgiving painting.
Director: Gail Mancuso
Writer: Elaine Ko
7.4/1019 votes#18 - Marco Polo
Season 6 Episode 4 - Aired 10/15/2014
Things become tense when the Dunphys temporarily move into a hotel, Gloria is suspicious of Manny's new girlfriend, and Mitchell discovers that he has jinxed Cameron's football team.
Director: Fred Savage
Writer: Elaine Ko
7.3/109 votes#19 - Snapped
Season 11 Episode 2 - Aired 10/2/2019
Claire needs to get everyone out of the house before they make her look bad in front of a reporter from an important women’s business magazine. Meanwhile, Jay invites Manny to a little wine tasting in an attempt to spend some quality time together.
Director: Michael Spiller
Writer: Elaine Ko
7.3/1012 votes#20 - The Prescott
Season 11 Episode 10 - Aired 1/8/2020
Alex’s new company is putting her up at a new luxury apartment with full amenities and a list of high-profile residents that the family is eager to take advantage of, without her knowing. Phil is on a mission to review the restaurant’s famous sliders for his food blog, while Mitch and Cam sneak in separately to meet its most famous resident, David Beckham. Meanwhile, Luke and Manny head straight for the gym to try and pick up on older women and end up in some hot water with a few of the residents.
Director: Elaine Ko
Writer: Elaine Ko
7.3/1011 votes#21 - Wine Weekend
Season 9 Episode 16 - Aired 3/21/2018
The family goes on a wine tasting trip and stays in Haley’s new boss’ country house where the only rule is: Don’t touch the tiara! Meanwhile, Gloria and Mitch are invited to a party at Oprah’s house but can’t bring anyone else.
Director: Beth McCarthy-Miller
Writer: Elaine Ko
7.3/1013 votes#22 - She Crazy
Season 7 Episode 4 - Aired 10/14/2015
Phil convinces Lily to help with hatch the ducks he made a habitat for; Claire wants to impress her father with some ideas she has for the business; Cam spends time bonding with the frat guys.
Director: Gail Mancuso
Writer: Elaine Ko
7.3/1019 votes#23 - A Tale of Three Cities
Season 8 Episode 1 - Aired 9/21/2016
After recent trips take the Dunphys to New York; Mitch, Cam and Lily to the Midwest; and Jay, Gloria, Manny and Joe to Juarez, Mexico; the Pritchett-Dunphy-Tucker clan reunites for Father’s Day.
Director: Chris Koch
Writer: Elaine Ko
7.2/1015 votes#24 - Lake Life
Season 9 Episode 1 - Aired 9/27/2017
Jay forces the family to take their family vacation on a houseboat on a lake in an effort to create memories that will last long after he’s gone. Meanwhile, Mitchell runs into an old flame that opens some old wounds; Cam has to stay out of the sun at all costs; Phil and Claire try out some adventureous excursions; and the kids’ quest for a good time may not be as fun as they expected.
Director: James R. Bagdonas
Writer: Elaine Ko
7.1/108 votes#25 - The Wild
Season 10 Episode 17 - Aired 3/13/2019
Mitch, Cam and Phil crash Jay’s annual hiking trip to find an elusive bald eagle after Gloria asks them to keep an eye on him. Meanwhile, Gloria, Alex, Claire and Haley get together to plan her baby shower.
Director: James R. Bagdonas
Writer: Elaine Ko
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The Best Episodes Written By Elaine Ko
Every TV Episode Written by Elaine Ko Ranked from Best to Worst by Thousands of Voters
Elaine Ko Ratings Summary
"Thirty" is the best rated episode written by Elaine Ko. It scored 9.25/10 based on 36 votes. It was directed by Cherien Dabis. It aired on 9/26/2023 and is rated 1.2 points higher than their second-best episode, "The Future Dunphys".
