Clash of Swords[1] is the twenty-second episode from Season 9 of Modern Family, it aired on May 16, 2018.
Plot Summary[]
Mitchell sneaks out to "Hero-Con" with fanboy Phil, dressed as their favorite characters from the show "Clash of Swords". It's great until Phil commits the ultimate fan faux pas. In a clash of another kind, Gloria's dinosaur party for Joe is ruined when her nemesis, Dr. Donna Duncan, upstages her with a far bigger and better party right next door.
Episode Description[]
Phil and Mitch attend a Hero-Con, a costume convention for their favourite fantasy series. Mitchell has a great time and blends in with the convention goers, but Phil inadvertently spoils an event, turning the fan community against him. Mitch, however, defends him and he regains respect – although Phil trivialises Mitch's help and instead densely believes that the angry fans accept him because of his "pure of heart" (sure).
Elsewhere, Cam inadvertently reveals to Dr. Duncan that Gloria is hosting a dinosaur-themed party for Joe, angering Gloria when she discovers Donna's also dinosaur-themed party. To make up for his big mouth, Cam invites Ronaldo and his party-planning friends to spice up Joe's party, but the situation worsens when a misunderstanding ensues and Ronaldo brings his entertainment from his previously-hosted strip tease party instead. Cam also has to handle the presence of Pam's boisterous son, who stays with them during a short time.
Claire decides to enter a partnership with an electronic closet company, which does not sit well with Jay. Meanwhile, Manny unsuccessfully tries to "kidnap" Haley and coax Alex in order to make them join his summer road trip.
Main Cast[]
(The characters striked out do not appear in this episode)
- Jay Pritchett
- Gloria Pritchett
- Manny Delgado
- Joe Pritchett
- Claire Dunphy
- Phil Dunphy
- Haley Dunphy
- Alex Dunphy
Luke Dunphy- Mitchell Pritchett
- Cameron Tucker
Lily Tucker-Pritchett
Guest Starring[]
- Jane Krakowski as Dr. Donna Duncan
- Ben Schwartz as Nick
- Christian Barillas as Ronaldo
- Harry Groener as Joel L.L. Logan
- Adam Rose as Adam
- Marsha Kramer as Margaret
- Dylan Bay Kleckner as Cal
- Brian Dare as Peter Pan
- Terrence Terrell as TinkerBell
- John Hartman as Dragon Slayer
- Alex Poncio as Fan #1
- Matt Marr as Fan #2
- Desi Stein as Woman at Hero-Con
- Danny Mora Moreno as Ogre Teeth
- Caden Dragomer as Henry
- Ry Elkinson as Digby
- Chelly as Lackey
- Ross Mackenzie as Older Lackey
Trivia[]
- Lily and Luke do not appear in this episode, making this the first season finale in which Luke is absent, though Haley mentions him. Lily had been previously absent in "Goodnight Gracie".
- This episode was broadcasted exactly six years after "Tableau Vivant", which also highlights Phil and Mitch's relationship.
- This is the first episode to feature Nick and Calhoun.
- The title may be a reference to the game "Clash of Clans".
- Sarah Hyland and Ben Schwartz, who played Nick in this episode, previously worked on the Disney XD animated series Randy Cunningham: 9th Grade Ninja, which featured Ben Schwartz as Randy Cunningham and Sarah Hyland as Theresa Fowler.
Continuity[]
- Dr. Donna Duncan returns from Season 5's "Under Pressure". and Season 8's "Basketball". This is also her last appearance.
- This is the second episode to feature Mitch and Phil going to a sci-fi event, the first being "The Party".
Cultural References[]
- Clash of Swords is based on Game of Thrones.
- Jay remembers his shock upon seeing Barbara Walters reading the news; she became the first female co-anchor of an American network evening news show in 1976.
- Mitch says that the choreography is Riverdance crossed with the hora.
- Claire calls Jay the Tony Bennett of closets.
Reviews[]
- The AV Club gave it "B-": "Modern Family is about to enter its final season, which means that the writers must have some sort of endgame in sight. And yet, the season nine finale feels strangely formless."