Artsda February 9, 2017 Share February 9, 2017 (edited) Quote Nathan Fillion and Elizabeth Banks Guest Star "Do You Believe In Magic" - Fearful that the romance between him and Claire is fizzling, Phil calls upon his altar ego, Clive Bixby, get Valentines day back on track. When Cam and Mitch try to empower Lily, Haley and Sal (Elizbeth Banks) to stand up to the men in their lives, things don't turn out as planned and go overboard. I enjoyed this episode, liked that Claire surprised me (and Phil) by actually planning the dinner, getting him the gift he wanted and was just putting on an act. Loved they incorporated Dylan even if it was just in passing on the phone, hope he does return. Was Luke not in this at all? Minimal Manny too, just opening and closing scenes. Edited February 9, 2017 by Artsda 8 Link to comment
voiceover February 9, 2017 Share February 9, 2017 There was something of the DeDe/Jay/"Sarge & Pea" charm to the last sequence between Phil and Claire. Still not caring for the season in general, but when they get it right (like the long-term payoff to Claire embracing the magician in Phil), they get it really right. 12 Link to comment
Michel February 9, 2017 Share February 9, 2017 This was a great one, despite not having any of Luke, minimal Manny, and only a nonspeaking cameo from Lily (who seems to be getting really big now, and in fact, almost as big as Haley!). Loved Cam and Mitchell finding out their advice is crappy. Loved the brief snippets we got of the Haley/Sal dynamic. Loved Jay, Gloria, Joe, and Manny's storyline. Loved Alex's storyline, especially with the reveal of the assistant being her secret admirer. (Who saw that coming?) And best of all, loved Phil and Claire's storyline. Probably the best one. On a side note, as well as the carving of Phil and Claire's names on the back of the old porch swing, someone else added "Free Tibet" to it. Was that Phil? Claire? Someone else? Gloria's "oh, dear God!" faces each time she found out Joe had given someone underwear for Valentine's Day had me rolling. I know many people think Alex takes abuse from the family that she doesn't deserve, but every now and then, she'll say or do something snarky and/or mean and while I don't agree with it, I end up understanding why she's sometimes given the punching bag treatment. Wonder if that was the end of Haley and Rainer? Great episode! Agree with @voiceover. When this show is on, it is on! 5 Link to comment
biakbiak February 9, 2017 Share February 9, 2017 I actually predicted the Claire/Phil storyline from the first scene when Ben showed up because they had previously established that Ben has helped Claire get stuff done that pleased her family so when he was in the first scene and Phil was disappointed with the gift I knew there was going to be a twist where he was going to get his dream gift but I still thought it was well done. It was a better executed version of the flash mob storyline with Mitchell and Cam and better earned because the show has long established that Claire is a shitty gift giver when it comes to Phil, she did succeed once before with the acrobats, but Phil was actually a participant in the magic show rather than just watching from the sidelines. 8 Link to comment
Lizzing February 9, 2017 Share February 9, 2017 I'm a terrible judge of kids' ages, but didn't Sal's kid seem a bit old for being less than 3? He looked older than Joe, who is 1.5 years older than Sal's kid. Other than that, it was a solid episode. I'm glad Claire finally got another gift right. 3 Link to comment
readster February 9, 2017 Share February 9, 2017 I think the writers really don't know how to really write relationships for any of the kids. I mean, while I'm happy that they have ended Haley's relationship, once again: "Let's just bring Dylan back, that is always funny." Until they don't know what to do with Dylan and then have him come across as too stupid to tie his shoes. Alex's story line was actually pretty good with Claire's assistant, however let's see how long this works, as we know it will soon be: "Alex is so desperate she'll date anyone troupe." As for Manny's situation, I mean, come on! You had your shot Manny, stop being a dumbass. I was cracking up at Jay and Gloria's story line with Joe, that was great. Phil and Claire's story line was great. As for Sal, I was actually hoping she would fall in and be gone forever. I HATE her character since day 1. She constantly just derails everyone when it comes to Cam and Mitch. It's always when they have something planned. I'm surprised they don't have a sign outside their door that says: "Sal, we aren't home, don't even bother looking in the window, we have some US time. GO someplace else." 5 Link to comment
AriAu February 9, 2017 Share February 9, 2017 Quote Still not caring for the season in general, but when they get it right (like the long-term payoff to Claire embracing the magician in Phil), they get it really right. THIS. It was a terrific episode....best in a long while. Loved the magic payoff...both of them. Loved Joe being mini-Jay, right down to having his hand in his pants and several of his lines, even if I still can't understand them all since he mumbles so much. Lots of great throw-away lines like the teacher saying "I didn't know people with these measurements actually existed" and Jay's line about Manny better come back smelling like "light beer and chlorine"! Even liked the Cam/Mitchell story line of giving crappy advice, especially since it ended up with Sal going overboard. Had the perfect amount of Luke and an even more perfect amount of Dylan. 7 Link to comment
DrSpaceman73 February 9, 2017 Share February 9, 2017 I figured Claire was surprising him with the handcuffs, didn't know she would actually learn magic. Seeing Clive is always a plus, even for a moment. Elizabeth Banks just always annoys me, so not a big fan of hers. her over the top breathless speech acting is just a bit irritating. I thought Joe's plot was kind of funny. For some reason I actually recall a Leave it to Beaver episode where this happens to beaver (ironic now that I think about it, given his name), but on accident. His mom means to give his teacher handkerchiefs as a gift but somehow it gets mixed up and he gives her lingerie instead. Or maybe he is supposed to but won't do it, is all embarrassed. Come to think of it I have no idea why Mrs. Cleaver would be buying anyone underwear as a gift. ANyway, just made me think of it. Joe's old man mannerisms were funny too. They just seem all over the place with Alex. Does everyone she meets have a secret crush on her? This happened with the football player too. 5 Link to comment
VCRTracking February 9, 2017 Share February 9, 2017 (edited) In the final tag I suddenly recognized the "Great Majesto" from the show Night Court as "Phil" the vagrant who was Dan Fielding's lackey(and later turned out to be an eccentric millionaire), played by William Utay. I hope Alex and Claire's assistant lasts a while. Edited February 9, 2017 by VCRTracking 6 Link to comment
Traveller519 February 9, 2017 Share February 9, 2017 I'm glad there was a nod to Clive and Juliana, but that they squashed it down fast. I think we've mined as much out of that one as we're going to get. They "twist" was pretty obvious from the set up but was still sweet. Especially the "quick change" with the confetti. That poor restaurant. I hope Claire paid them well! The Jay and Joe story was good too. Jay is seeing Joe as the little son he has always wanted. While he loves and will stand up for Mitchell and Manny, they're not the little buddy to play catch with he wanted. It was good that he could see some of his bad habits were also being passed along. One of the best little site gags was that Joe had his hand partway down his pants while he was watching TV. I've got a friend who's kids do that following dad's lead. 4 Link to comment
reggiejax February 9, 2017 Share February 9, 2017 Quote As for Sal, I was actually hoping she would fall in and be gone forever. I HATE her character since day 1. She constantly just derails everyone when it comes to Cam and Mitch. It's always when they have something planned. I'm surprised they don't have a sign outside their door that says: "Sal, we aren't home, don't even bother looking in the window, we have some US time. GO someplace else." I have never been able to stand Sal either. Which is weird because I love Elizabeth Banks so much, and have endured a lot of dreck just for her. But Sal just needs to be wiped from existence. Such a clichéd character and so damn obnoxious. 3 Link to comment
AbsoluteShower February 9, 2017 Share February 9, 2017 (edited) 12 hours ago, Michel said: Wonder if that was the end of Haley and Rainer? God I hope so - It's so creepy to me, and I'm pretty sure that a real life Phil & Claire wouldn't be too happy about it either. Who remembers when Phil got angry when he thought Haley was dating that older pony-tailed jeans guy? Not the show writers, apparently... Edited February 9, 2017 by AbsoluteShower 9 Link to comment
momtoall February 10, 2017 Share February 10, 2017 On 2/9/2017 at 2:44 AM, voiceover said: .... but when they get it right (like the long-term payoff to Claire embracing the magician in Phil), they get it really right. ITA!! Really enjoyed the episode. 1 Link to comment
luna1122 February 10, 2017 Share February 10, 2017 17 hours ago, AbsoluteShower said: God I hope so - It's so creepy to me, and I'm pretty sure that a real life Phil & Claire wouldn't be too happy about it either. Who remembers when Phil got angry when he thought Haley was dating that older pony-tailed jeans guy? Not the show writers, apparently... Yeah, but older pony tail guy was SUCH a creep. Rainer is smarmy, and a lot older, but he's also charming and Phil loves him. I love Sal. I mean, I hate her, she's awful, but I find her hilarious. I love how much she and Lily hate each other. 7 Link to comment
needschocolate February 11, 2017 Share February 11, 2017 (edited) Loved the ending. I thought there was a chance she would get him the handcuffs, but I figured it would because Claire felt bad or because the assistant overheard and bought them for her. Never suspected that the whole too-busy-at-work thing was a set up or that Claire would actually take magic lessons. I want to know what was on the rest of Cam and Mitchel's list. Edited February 12, 2017 by needschocolate Edited because I re-watched and discovered I was completely wrong 2 Link to comment
CleoCaesar February 11, 2017 Share February 11, 2017 On 2/9/2017 at 3:58 AM, Michel said: This was a great one, despite not having any of Luke, minimal Manny, and only a nonspeaking cameo from Lily I'd change the "despite" to "because of". Rico Rodriguez in particular is so painful to listen to - like that bit at the beginning of the episode, he sounded like he was reading off cue cards with little comprehension of what he was saying. Zero comic timing or inflection, just breathy recitation. Ugh. 3 Link to comment
Nordly Beaumont February 11, 2017 Share February 11, 2017 On 2/9/2017 at 9:48 AM, DrSpaceman73 said: For some reason I actually recall a Leave it to Beaver episode where this happens to beaver (ironic now that I think about it, given his name), but on accident. It made me think of an Andy Griffith show when Opie gives Miss Crump silk stockings - I guess it's an old story! I never noticed that Cam and Mitch have the picture with Lily's weird smile above the fireplace. I'm sure it's been there all along, I just don't notice things. 2 Link to comment
Michel February 12, 2017 Share February 12, 2017 13 hours ago, CleoCaesar said: I'd change the "despite" to "because of". Rico Rodriguez in particular is so painful to listen to - like that bit at the beginning of the episode, he sounded like he was reading off cue cards with little comprehension of what he was saying. Zero comic timing or inflection, just breathy recitation. Ugh. Nope. I'm keeping it as "despite." I think a Valentine's Day episode should have something for everyone to do, not just most of the cast while some are left to flounder with little or no screen time. So I would've preferred at least some Luke and to see exactly how badly Manny bungled his date. 1 Link to comment
Gulftastic February 12, 2017 Share February 12, 2017 Best episode in a while. I loved Claire winning Valentine's Day. And Cam and Mitchell didn't argue once! The writers should be aware that the fact that it was noticeable may mean they do argue just a bit too often. 4 Link to comment
indeed February 12, 2017 Share February 12, 2017 It was weird Lily didn't get to say anything, especially with Sal around. Did she even get to do an eyeroll when Sal burst in? I may have been distracted due to Sal's kid looking so much older than I thought he should be at this point (seriously, weren't Cam, Mitchell, Pepper, and Rinaldo just fighting over the infant like two seasons ago?!). You go, Claire! 4 Link to comment
snuffles February 17, 2017 Share February 17, 2017 I don't like the Sal character either, but rolled over laughing when she greeted Lily as "chairman sour" or something like that. I can't believe Cam and Mitchell would be ok with leaving Lily home alone (Sal's kid doesn't count) with Sal's nanny. They know nothing about her and Sal's judgment is usually impaired. I would rather have seen some Lily and nanny shenanigans then the same old boring manny plot. 3 Link to comment
Phishbulb February 20, 2017 Share February 20, 2017 (edited) On 2/9/2017 at 1:46 PM, VCRTracking said: I hope Alex and Claire's assistant lasts a while. In real life, Joe Mande (the stand-up comedian that plays Claire's assistant) is 33; I would imagine doing those kind of scenes with a (barely) 19 year old girl would be kind of uncomfortable for him. With Haley and Rainer, it's a little different as she's an adult and I don't think the show has ever shown them being physical (has it?), even though it's been implied. Alex is (I guess) supposed to be 19 by now but that relationship seems weirder than one between a girl in her 20s and an older guy to me. Edited February 25, 2017 by Phishbulb 5 Link to comment
Phishbulb February 25, 2017 Share February 25, 2017 (edited) On 2/20/2017 at 1:47 PM, Phishbulb said: Edited February 25, 2017 by Phishbulb Link to comment
hiccup March 4, 2017 Share March 4, 2017 Nice shout out to Ed O'Neil's previous life as Al Bundy, with Joe's hand in his pants. Ha! 7 Link to comment
Bobbin April 20, 2017 Share April 20, 2017 I love that Claire got to be the one to pull a rabbit out of the hat for a change instead of Phil. 1 Link to comment
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