Ep 1. A Tale Of Three Cities

In the season 8 premiere of Modern Family, entitled "A Tale of Three Cities," the Pritchett-Dunphy-Tucker clan is getting ready for a summer full of adventures. The episode opens with the family members starting to pack their bags for their respective travels, which will take them to New York, Missouri, and Mexico.

The Dunphy family decides to head to New York, where they plan to visit Alex, who is spending the summer interning at a hospital. Claire is excited to spend time with her daughter, but things take a turn when they discover that the hospital has a strict dress code that forces them to wear scrubs all day long. Phil, who is always up for a challenge, decides to test the limits of the dress code by showing up in a variety of ridiculous costumes, much to the amusement of his family and coworkers.

Meanwhile, in Missouri, Jay and Gloria are visiting his old friends Shorty and Darlene. The trip quickly becomes a contest between Jay and Shorty to see who has the better life, with Jay showing off his successful career and luxurious lifestyle, while Shorty boasts about his loving wife and peaceful rural existence. Gloria, caught in the middle, tries to keep the peace between the two men, but things come to a head when Jay takes a tumble while trying to prove he can still ride a bull.

In Mexico, Mitch and Cam are celebrating their anniversary by staying in a luxurious resort. However, their plans for a romantic getaway are thrown off course when they learn that their friend Pepper is also vacationing there, along with his annoyingly perfectionist husband, Ronaldo. Mitch and Cam are determined to have a good time regardless, but when Ronaldo starts interfering in their activities, they both reach their breaking point and consider confronting him.

As the three different storylines unfold, the episode highlights the unique dynamics of each family and the challenges they face as they navigate new environments. From Phil's silly antics to Jay's competitive streak, each character shines in their own way, and the episode provides a fun and engaging start to the season as the family members continue on their separate journeys.