Our Children, Ourselves
"Our Children, Ourselves" | |
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Modern Family episode | |
Episode no. | Season 2 Episode 12 |
Directed by | Adam Shankman |
Written by | Dan O'Shannon Bill Wrubel |
Production code | 2ARG10 |
Original air date | January 12, 2011[1] |
Guest appearances | |
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"Our Children, Ourselves" is the 12th episode of the second season of the American television comedy series, Modern Family and the 36th overall episode of the series. Executive producers Dan O'Shannon & Bill Wrubel wrote the episode, and Adam Shankman directed it. The episode originally aired on the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) in the United States on January 12, 2011. It featured guest star Mary Lynn Rajskub as Mitchell's ex-girlfriend.
In this episode, the dedication of
"Our Children, Ourselves" received generally positive reviews from television critics with many praising the "twist ending" to Mitchell and Cameron's storyline. According to the
Sarah Hyland does not appear in the episode.[2]
Plot
At the Dunphy house,
Later when they go to the movies, they run into Sanjay's parents who are there to see a French movie. Phil and Claire decide to follow them to encourage their kids. Midway through the movie Phil leaves to watch Croctopus 3D, the film they originally intended to see, since they both are fans of cheesy horror films involving monsters. Phil has fun at his movie while Claire falls asleep at the highly acclaimed French one. After waking her up, Phil tells her that Alex still had one of the highest grades in the class, and dumb parents do not have kids that smart. Claire is reassured and they leave for home after seeing that the "bright Dr. Patel" cannot validate his parking ticket.
Meanwhile, the Hoffmans, a couple that
Production
"Our Children, Ourselves" was written by executive producers, Dan O'Shannon and Bill Wrubel.[1] The episode was also directed by Adam Shankman.[1] This episode was the second script collaboration by O'Shannon and Wrubel, who co-wrote the episode "Airport 2010".[3] "Our Children, Ourselves" was filmed on October 13,[4] and October 15, 2010.[5]
In October 2010, TV Guide reported that Mary Lynn Rajskub had been cast as Mitchell's ex-girlfriend.[6] She filmed her appearance on October 13, 2010.[4] Rajskub later said in an interview on Lopez Tonight that she had gone through the same experience: "I had this guy, I think I was in 7th or 8th grade... we had this make out session [...] he pulled away abruptly and I never saw him again. Then 20 years later he facebooked me. Totally gay".[7]
The episode aired on ABC in the United States on January 12, 2011.[1] When the episode aired, the airtime was pushed 20 minutes later than its usual time slot due to Barack Obama's speech about the 2011 Tucson shooting.[1][8]
Reception
Ratings
In its original American broadcast, "Our Children, Ourselves" was seen by an estimated 11.12 million households and received a 4.2 rating/10% share among adults between the ages of 18 and 49.[9] This means that it was seen by 4.2% of all 18- to 49-year-olds, and 10% of all 18- to 49-year-olds watching television at the time of the broadcast. This made it the highest-rated program on Wednesday, according to the Nielsen Media Research.[9] The episode received a drop from the previous episode, "Slow Down Your Neighbors", possibly because of the 20-minute delay in its starting time.[9][10] Despite this, the episode became the second highest-rated ABC show after Grey's Anatomy and the finished seventh in the ratings the week it premiered.[11]
Reviews
The episode received mostly positive reviews, with many praising the ending to Mitchell and Cameron's storyline.
John Teti of The A.V. Club called it "not a very good episode" and mainly criticized the Delgado–Pritchett storyline, comparing it to "every episode of Three’s Company ever." Teti ultimately gave the episode a C+.[13]
Rachael Maddux of New York praised the episode for letting the characters "out of their primly landscaped domiciles to interact with the other batty folks of the world".[14]
Matt Roush of TV Guide wrote that the episode's story lines were "all winners".[15] Joyce Eng and KMate Stanhope, also from TV Guide, later named the conclusion to Mitchell and Cameron's storyline the best moment of the week, January 6 to January 13, 2011.[16]
Entertainment Weekly writer Lesley Savage commented that while the episode wasn't a good follow up to "Slow Down Your Neighbors", the ending to the Pritchett-Tucker storyline was "pretty darn funny, and possibly a little un-PC".[17]
James Poniewozik of Time wrote that while the plot came "straight out of the Wacky Misunderstanding School of Sitcomedy" it was still a satisfying episode calling Phil and Claire's storyline "the most amusing storyline".[18]
References
- ^ a b c d e Chang, Yani (2010-12-23). "MITCHELL RUNS INTO AN OLD FEMALE FLAME – WITH BAGGAGE – ON ABC'S "MODERN FAMILY"". abcMedianet. Archived from the original on 2011-01-16. Retrieved 2011-01-15.
- ^ "Modern Family" Our Children, Ourselves (TV episode 2011) - IMDb. Retrieved December 10, 2012.
- ^ "Modern Family – 'Airport 2010' Episode Info – MSN TV". Microsoft. 2010-05-05. Archived from the original on 2012-09-02. Retrieved 2010-08-06.
- ^ a b "Asset Display". Abcmedianet.com. 2010-10-13. Archived from the original on 2012-09-19. Retrieved 2010-12-29.
- ^ "Asset Display". Abcmedianet.com. 2010-10-15. Archived from the original on 2012-09-19. Retrieved 2010-12-29.
- ^ Keck, William (October 6, 2010). "Keck's Exclusives: 24's Chloe is Modern Family Mitchell's Ex!". TV Guide. Retrieved 2010-10-06.
- ^ "1-11-11 Mary Lynn Rajskub (24 & Modern Family) Talks Having a Gay Boyfriend on Lopez Tonight". YouTube. Archived from the original on 2013-07-24. Retrieved 2011-01-16.
- ^ Seidman, Robert (2007-08-28). "TV Ratings Wednesday:Will Shonda Blame Obama? Disappointing Start for 'Off The Map,' But 'The Middle' Hits Highs". Tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com. Archived from the original on 2011-01-15. Retrieved 2011-01-13.
- ^ a b c Seidman, Robert (2011-01-13). "Wednesday Final Ratings: 'The Middle' Adjusted Down; 'Off The Map' Adjusted Up". Tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com. Archived from the original on 2011-01-15. Retrieved 2011-01-17.
- ^ Gorman, Bill (January 6, 2011). "TV Ratings Wednesday: ABC Comedies, 'Human Target,' 'L&O:SVU' Up; 'Live To Dance,' 'People's Choice Awards,' Tumble". TV by the Numbres. Archived from the original on January 8, 2011. Retrieved 2011-01-06.
- ^ Seidman, Robert (2007-08-28). "TV Ratings Broadcast Top 25: NFL Playoffs NCIS, Grey's Anatomy, Modern Family and 60 Minutes Lead Week 17 Viewing". Tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com. Archived from the original on 2011-01-21. Retrieved 2011-01-19.
- TV Squad. Retrieved 2011-01-13.
- ^ Teti, John (January 12, 2011). "Our Children, Ourselves". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 2011-01-14.
- ^ Maddux, Rachael (January 13, 2011). "Modern Family Recap: Croctopus". New York. Retrieved 2011-01-16.
- ^ "Matt's TV Week in Review – Today's News: Our Take". TV Guide. 2008-10-01. Retrieved 2011-01-16.
- ^ "Top Moments: Modern Family Comes Up Short, Top Chef's Avian Rap – Today's News: Our Take". TVGuide.com. 2008-10-01. Retrieved 2011-01-16.
- ^ Ward, Kate (2011-01-13). "Modern Family recap: Shortcomings | Season 2 Episode 12 | EW.com". Tvrecaps.ew.com. Retrieved 2011-03-10.
- ^ Poniewozik, James (2011-01-13). "Review of Modern Family, Our Children, Our Selves - Tuned In - TIME.com". Tunedin.blogs.time.com. Retrieved 2011-03-11.
External links
- "Our Children, Ourselves" at IMDb
- "Our Children, Ourselves" at ABC.com