Should you watch it, wiki it, or wait for the recap? Watch it.
The Dunphys are challenged to a Halloween decoration contest by their redneck neighbours, while Mitch faces a losing streak in the court. Meanwhile, Cam struggles to balance his football coach work with raising Lily, and Jay’s newfound interest in Halloween costumes turns into an obsession.
“Halloween 3: Awesome Land” is the sixth episode of the sixth season of Modern Family, and in the usual spirit of the show, it’s a Halloween special. This time around, Claire barely has enough time to set up the decorations for the house, leading Phil to do an awesome-themed Halloween decorations for the house.
It’s a treat to see what Halloween shenanigans the families come up with each year, and it’s still managed to stay fresh throughout all the seasons. Besides the costumes, the recurring theme is that Claire’s competitiveness comes to the fore each Halloween, whether be it on a personal level or with a rival (this season, it’s the neighbours).
Highlights
Costumes
Everyone’s decked out in costume, and props goes to Gloria’s Fiona costume, not least of all because it accentuates her figure. I don’t recall Jay having a proper costume before, so this is an interesting one. Phil also gets to wear something that’s more in tune with his character, so the greater variety of outfits makes it a visually interesting episode.
Halloween decor
There’s two houses decorated this time – the Dunphys, and the rednecks (Ronnie and Amber). We get to see three sets of decorations though, since the Dunphys put up two different ones, so that’s a plus point. Bonus: we get to see the kids at Lily’s school dress up, so that’s technically a fourth Halloween set up in this episode!
Mitch’s time in court
There’s some solid gold humour in his court scenes, especially when his closing speech is juxtaposed against what’s actually happening around him. There’s even a giant spider costume thrown in for the mix, though sadly, Mitch loses his case. His fourth in a row. Is this building up to a jobless Mitch episode?
Letdowns
Redneck neighbours are here to stay
I really should start calling them Ronnie and Amber, but I don’t want to humanise them too much. Just in case I get attached to them and then they die. Anyway, they’re the antagonists for this episode, and they triumph through underhanded means. I hope this is building our aggression and ill will towards the couple, for an explosive finale where the Dunphys turn the tables on them and beat them out of the house.
No Fizbo the clown
Where’s Fizbo? I was looking forward to Cam coming as Fizbo, though I suppose his Superman and colourful Gandalf costumes did make up for it. I think Fizbo looks scary, so he’d really fit in with the Dunphys. Clowns are creepy. And it would have suit their asylum theme perfectly.
“Halloween 3: Awesome Land” continues the upswing in quality of episodes for this season, and is a must watch. It’s much funnier, has proper development, and all the work that goes into costumes, make up, and props pay off. What will next year’s Halloween bring?
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