Another terrific storyline this episode continues with an inspired pairing from earlier in the season that finally gets some traction: Haley and Adam DeVine’s Andy. Due to his fear of flying, she tries to calm his nerves as they drive to the airport. He is about to leave for Utah for the summer and reconcile with his long-time girlfriend. However, when Haley checks a message on his phone, she realizes his girlfriend has left him sour texts, explaining she does not want to see him.
The chemistry between the actors feels just right, and although both characters are opposites on the page, making them a couple would be a smart move for the series for two main reasons. First, it would allow more character development for Haley, who has come a long way from being the token ditz. Second, it would ensure more Adam DeVine on Modern Family, and he has been one of the best parts of this inconsistent season.
One thing that “The Wedding” gets both right and wrong is the pacing. The laid-back feel of the early scenes gets a bump when reports of wildfires push the ceremony back to the early afternoon, creating panic and therefore more conflict. However, the writers abandon many of the stories as the characters find out about the change in time. Instead of creating even more humorous situations by showing how the characters rush to get to the place on time, it entirely skips this race to the aisle. The final scene, when we realized all of the family members have arrived safely, feels anti-climactic, as does the small twist that the ceremony will have to shift the scenic outdoor venue due to approaching wildfires. Two-part episodes will end typically on an exciting note or cliffhanger to jolt the audience into wanting to tune in next week, but there is no credits scene or intriguing moment to turn on.
For one of the only major same-sex marriages in the history of mainstream entertainment, what could have been a unique episode of Modern Family seemed mild and forgettable. This was also probably the wrong episode for the show’s writers to unleash some homosexual stereotypes, especially when Nathan Lane’s Pepper gives a brash put-down to a wedding organizer who places a flower stand on a wrong angle. Alas, this is only the first half of what could be a sterling season finale next week, so it is hard to give this episode a full grade. Some solid subplots and winning one-liners helped make the time fly, even though the pacing was cluttered, as usual for Modern Family. As a regular episode, it was strong. As the first-half of a pivotal special episode though, it left you wanting more.