Undeck the Halls
| "Undeck the Halls" | |
|---|---|
| Modern Family episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 1 Episode 10 |
| Directed by | Randall Einhorn |
| Written by | Dan O'Shannon |
| Production code | 1ARG11 |
| Original air date | December 9, 2009 |
| Guest appearance(s) | |
|
|
Season 2 →
"Undeck the Halls" is the tenth episode of the first season of the ABC sitcom Modern Family and the tenth episode of the series overall. It premiered on ABC in the United States on December 9, 2009. The episode was written by Dan O'Shannon and directed by Randall Einhorn. Fred Willard guest stars as Phil's dad, Frank Dunphy.
In the episode, Claire and Phil threaten to take away Christmas when they discover that one of the kids tried a cigarette but none wants to admit it. Alex takes the blame to save Christmas but it is revealed that they were all saying the truth from the start. Cameron and Mitchell take Lily to get her first picture with Santa at the Mall, but their complain to the management that Santa is not jolly enough for the kids, leads to Santa losing his job. Jay wants to introduce Manny and Gloria to some Christmas traditions while they want to do the same to Jay with Colombian Christmas traditions.
The episode received positive reviews from critics and had a 3.8. in the 18–49 demographic.
While Claire (Julie Bowen), Phil (Ty Burrell) and the kids talk to Phil's dad, Frank (Fred Willard) via Skype to wish him Merry Christmas, Claire discovers a burn mark on the arm of the couch. Seeing that, they get to the conclusion that one of the kids was smoking a cigarette and they ask them to say who did it. When none of the kids admit the truth, Phil reacts in an extreme manner and takes the Christmas tree away until someone confesses.
Alex (Ariel Winter), seeing that Phil is serious about taking away the Christmas tree, admits that she was the one who tried to smoke. Phil brings back the Christmas tree and Claire says that Alex is grounded for a whole week, starting December 26 so she will not miss the Christmas day. While they are celebrating, they discover that the burn mark on the couch was caused by the reflecting sunlight on a Christmas ornament that Frank sent them. When they ask Alex why she lied, she says that she did not want Phil to take away the Christmas so she chose to take the blame.
...
Wikipedia