Modern Family S6 E5 "Won't You Be Our Neighbor"

Synopsis: Phil is tasked with the unusual assignment of selling his former neighbor's house right next door. Unfortunately, a scrappy family of drug dealers falls in love with the house and overpays to secure it despite the best efforts by the Dunphys to drive them away. Meanwhile, Manny ends up bringing home a girl who is the granddaughter of the owner of "Closets Closets Closets," Jay's sworn business rival and the two enemies have a cow over the whole situation. In Mitch and Cam's world, Lily's nervous concern over the quality of her school work convinces Mitch and Cam that they should switch her to an easier teacher.

Review: Thanks to the introduction of some interesting new characters and witty writing, this episode is the best of Season 6 thus far. The hick, druggy family featured in this episode introduced some dirty, inappropriate story elements like the eldest son of the new family calling Alex "hot" and the parents of the new family suggesting an orgy situation with Claire and Phil. These are the first kind of characters I can think of being introduced to Modern Family's otherwise clean cut, wholly suburban theme, but I think it may be just what the show needs to cure the stale quality it has had lately. I just pray that this new family is featured more frequently than the old neighbors because I see the potential for many future shenanigans with this totally contrasting set of characters.
This episode allowed us to finally meet Jay's business rival of "Closets Closets Closets." It's always amusing to see Jay all fired up at somebody and his idea for a sock chute made for a humorous topic of discussion between he and his old enemy.
Even Mitch and Cam, who's story-lines have really been tanking this season, had an amusing scenario where their child was totally motivated to study hard in school while they were trying to make life easier for her (probably wrongfully, but with good intentions). This desire to work hard and learn provides some overdue character traits for Lily. She's starting to get old enough that the writers of Modern Family could actually utilize her personality and, up until this point, she really hasn't had one. Hopefully future episodes will delve more into this scholarly work ethic Lily has. I think she and Alex could really get along.

My Grade: A-

Nielsen Rating: 3.4 (10.16 million viewers)

Reviewers Quotes: "The biggest slumps in season six have come in episodes that keep the families separated, and yet 'Neighbor' is solid throughout despite the lack of family overlap, persuasive evidence of assured hands at the wheel." -Joshua Alston (avclub.com)