Modern Family: Season 4
Season 4 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- Directly follows the overarching narrative developments of Modern Family Season 3.
- Faction dynamics and core character alliances shift under escalating external stakes.
- Crucial mysteries introduced previously reach key turning points and narrative reckonings.
- Sets up serialized story arcs that build directly toward the climactic season finale.
Episode Guide
Season 4 Progress Shield
Bringing Up Baby
Sep 26, 2012
Phil takes Jay on an unconventional fishing trip; Gloria wonders how to break the news about her pregnancy; Dylan temporarily moves in with the Dunphys; Cam and Mich think about ad
Schooled
Oct 10, 2012
Claire and Phil embarass Haley when they drop her off at college; Manny makes Gloria and Jay take a class; Lily gets into a tussle on her first day of kindergarten.
Snip
Oct 10, 2012
Phil gets a vasectomy; Gloria and Jay can't agree on whether or not they should find out the sex of the baby; Mitchell tries to steer Cameron towards getting a part-time job.
The Butler's Escape
Oct 17, 2012
Luke wants to quit magic and Phil just can't seem to accept it. Meanwhile, one of Gloria's new pregnancy symptoms is snoring and she's keeping the whole house awake, forcing Jay to
Open House of Horrors
Oct 24, 2012
Claire must reign in her enthusiasm for Halloween and keep her celebration kid-friendly; Phil decides to hold an open house on Halloween; Mitch and Cam have a costume party; Gloria
Yard Sale
Oct 31, 2012
Jay and Gloria hold a yard sale to help Manny and Luke with their school's charity fundraiser, and the entire family pitches in: Phil feels pressured to both sell and buy something
Arrested
Nov 7, 2012
Cameron watches Alex and Luke while Phil, Claire and Mitchell deal with Haley's arrest; Jay tries to cut a surprise visit from Dede short, so she doesn't learn about Gloria's pregn
Mistery Date
Nov 14, 2012
When Claire takes Manny and Luke along to Alex's academic decathlon for the weekend, Phil attempts to throw together a boys' night at the house. Cam and Mitch arrange for quite the
When a Tree Falls
Nov 28, 2012
Mitch and Cam try to save an old tree in the park. Jay takes Manny to a kid's Olympics-themed birthday party. Gloria and Claire have an eventful shopping trip.
Diamond in the Rough
Dec 12, 2012
When Manny and Luke's Little League team makes it to the playoffs, Claire and Cameron search for a field to use. Gloria uses a microphone to sing to the baby.
New Year's Eve
Jan 9, 2013
Jay and the family plan to celebrate New Year's together at a hotel in Palm Springs, but the hotel doesn't meet their expectations; Alex and Haley are faced with challenges as they
Party Crasher
Jan 16, 2013
Gloria and Jay try to make Manny's 14th birthday extra special by planning a surprise party; Haley starts hanging out with a much older guy.
Fulgencio
Jan 23, 2013
When Gloria's mother and sister visit, they bring traditions, baby names and family baggage; Phil helps the kids with their problems; Mitchell and Cameron try to correct Lily's bad
A Slight at the Opera
Feb 6, 2013
When the lead in the school's production of "Phantom of the Opera" gets sick, Manny is willing to do anything to land the lead; Phil and Jay wind up in a golf-off with Mitch and Pe
Heart Broken
Feb 13, 2013
Claire and Phil's Valentine's Day romp ends with Claire in the hospital. Jay and Gloria's attempts at romance face constant interruption. After hosting a wild party, Cam and Mitch
Bad Hair Day
Feb 20, 2013
Things get awkward when Phil shows up at Claire's college reunion. Jay is fixated on winning a big bowling tournament. A wig malfunction during an elaborate photo shoot with Joe le
Best Men
Feb 27, 2013
Mitch and Cam's friend Sal announces she's getting married the next day and they are in the wedding; Gloria doesn't trust her new nanny; Claire bonds with Haley; Phil helps Luke wi
The Wow Factor
Mar 27, 2013
Claire and Cam bring in a third party (Wendi McLendon-Covey) when they reach an impasse on a landscaping decision; Phil teaches basic fix-it skills to the kids; Mitch helps Lily wi
The Future Dunphys
Apr 3, 2013
At the hospital Claire and Phil see the older version of their family; Mitchell and Cameron plan a day for Lily and Gloria; Manny and Jay go to a private school to look around.
Flip Flop
Apr 10, 2013
Phil gets desperate when Cam and Claire's flipped house is more difficult to sell than expected; Javier brings his new girlfriend along to visit Manny.
Career Day
May 1, 2013
Phil is jazzed to share the wonders of residential real estate with Luke and Manny's classmates for career day. Gloria challenges Jay's claims of always wanting to become a novelis
My Hero
May 8, 2013
Mitch's ex-boyfriend, a personable and successful doctor, invites the whole family to a fundraising event at a roller rink; Phil teaches Gloria how to skate; Haley helps Alex talk
Games People Play
May 15, 2013
Phil gets a new RV for a fun family road trip. Jay and Gloria search for Manny's backpack. Lily's gymnastics meet brings out Cam and Mitch's competitive spirit.
Goodnight, Gracie
May 22, 2013
Everyone flies down to Florida to be with Phil after his mom's passing. Claire helps Phil with Gracie's last wish for Frank, and the kids reflect on the gifts grandma left for them