Ep 22. Message Received

The episode titled "Message Received" is the 22nd episode of season 5 of the American television show, Modern Family. It is a comedy-drama series that revolves around three families belonging to different generations but connected through marriage and adoption.

The episode starts with Claire Dunphy, the family's matriarch, asking her father Jay to attend a business dinner with her, but he declines. In the meantime, Gloria and Jay's son, Manny, is worried about getting into college. He sends in his application for a prestigious writing workshop and awaits their reply.

As the family members go about their day, many life-changing messages are delivered. Phil, Claire's husband, receives a new phone and is struggling to navigate its features. Mitch, Claire's brother-in-law, and his partner Cam have trouble on their hands as they need to deal with a group of unruly children.

The main conflict of the episode arises when Jay receives an email from Manny's admissions officer asking him to re-send the email that contains his application. Jay, who is not tech-savvy, has deleted the email by mistake and is at a loss on how to retrieve it. He now finds himself in a panic as he does not want to disappoint his son, who has worked hard to get into the workshop.

The episode tackles themes such as family dynamics, technology, expectations, and the importance of communication. It showcases the frustrations that come with modern technology and how it can often put a strain on family relations.

The subplot with Mitch and Cam tackles the theme of patience, as they try to deal with unruly children in their class. They learn that sometimes, it is more important to let children have fun than to force them into strict routines. The subplot highlights the differences in parenting styles and how it can be challenging to find a middle ground that works for each family.

The scene where Jay struggles with the current technology brings up the idea of the generation gap and the challenges it presents when trying to communicate. The scene is relatable to viewers of all ages who may have experienced similar difficulties when dealing with new technology.

Ultimately, the episode ends on a positive note, with the family coming together to help Jay retrieve the deleted email. The episode showcases the importance of family and how even in the midst of chaos, they are always there to support one another.

In conclusion, "Message Received" is a heartwarming and humorous episode that highlights the daily struggles of modern families. It offers a unique perspective on the challenges that families face and how they can overcome them by working together. The show is a must-watch for those who enjoy comedy-drama series that tackle complex themes.