Modern Family: Have you ever pulled a Mitchell at a store?—Season 1, Episode 3

Disclaimer: The following article reflects the writer's personal experiences and opinions.

I almost pulled a Mitchell at the store yesterday—and Modern Family totally gets it!

In my not-so-humble opinion, sitcoms tend to be even funnier when we can relate to some harmless but absurd events of our daily lives. This is also one of the reasons why slice-of-life anime tend to be so successful. Relatability. So...

There’s a moment in Modern Family—season 1, episode 3, Come Fly with Me—that felt just a little too real, really close to home. Mitchell and Cam go to Costco. Mitchell, of course, starts off with his nose in the air. He’s “not that kind of shopper.” He’s above bulk stores. But fast forward five minutes? He’s got a cart overflowing with random things he suddenly can’t live without. Cam watches in disbelief as Mitchell spirals into shopping mania, and it is glorious.

And honestly? I felt that.

My relatable moment at a Brazilian version of Costco

I had a super stressful day yesterday, so I went to the mall to decompress. Not that I consider malls a relaxing place—malls are made for spending money. So I took just enough for an ice cream (because I refuse to walk through that capitalist maze without a treat) and a few spare coins in case I found a little something.

Then I wandered into one of those everything stores. You know the type. A chaotic treasure trove of rice cookers, mini fridges, plush toys, scented candles, and disco-ball-shaped popcorn makers. It was Mitchell-core to the max. If I had his budget, my cart would’ve been just as full. The only thing holding me back was my wallet. (And maybe a tiny ounce of self-control.) And space in my tiny house.

Modern Family: A sitcom that hugs us instead of punching us in the guts

But that’s exactly what Modern Family does so well. It makes us laugh while whispering, “Hey, you do this too.”

They don't rely on gordophobia and other phobias and other typical unbearable sitcom tropes. When one of these sensitive topics comes up, we can wait for a lesson or two, or even more. It's a sitcom that hugs us instead of punching us in the guts. Or even laughing at the expanse of our traumas (yeah, Friends, I am talking to you).

And it’s not just the Costco moment. This episode is full of those relatable little truths. Gloria takes Alex out to shop for a dress because—of course—there’s this tired family belief that girls should dress more “feminine.” It’s played for laughs, sure, but you can’t ignore how outdated that pressure is. The beautiful part, though, is how Gloria and Alex eventually connect. Alex, sharp as ever, reveals she doesn’t hate dresses for the sake of it—she just doesn’t want to feel like she’s living in her older sister’s shadow. It’s honest. Quiet. Real.

Delightful sibling moments: Claire and Manny—and the oh, no, Jay moment

Back at home, Claire stays with Manny, and that pairing? Surprisingly deep. Manny plays pseudo-therapist, offering Claire unexpected insights and emotional support in the most mature-child-ever way. By the time Gloria and Alex return—with Alex actually buying a dress—it’s not some patriarchal victory. It’s a moment of understanding. And it’s hilarious when Claire sees the result of Gloria’s influence. That final image? Priceless.

Meanwhile, Jay invites Phil to fly model airplanes. Phil tries way too hard to bond with his father-in-law, which leads to awkward crashes—both literal and emotional. It’s another thread that shows how Modern Family uses small-scale chaos to reflect real dynamics between parents, kids, partners, and in-laws.

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So yeah, I didn’t exactly walk out of the mall with a Costco haul. But I did walk away feeling like I had just lived through an episode of Modern Family. It’s silly, heartwarming, and way too accurate. And isn’t that what makes it so good?

Rating with a touch of flair? 5 out of 5 shopping bags full of stuff (and more added to a list for the next visit to the mall).

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