The episode "Bixby's Back" revisits one of Modern Family's most entertaining ideas: Phil and Claire's role-playing as their alter egos Clive Bixby and Julianna to spice up their Valentine's Day celebration. This callback to the previous season's "My Funky Valentine" showcases how sitcoms can effectively reuse elements to evoke both nostalgia and humor.
The storyline involving Phil and Claire is undoubtedly the highlight of the episode. Their interactions as Clive and Julianna are witty and filled with chemistry, with Ty Burrell delivering an outstanding performance. His exaggerated lines and physical comedy-such as accidentally ending up in an elderly woman's hotel room-serve as a reminder of why Burrell is one of the show's strongest assets. While the resolution is predictable, these scenes successfully maintain engagement and deliver genuine laughs.
On the other hand, the subplots fall short of the main story's charm. Mitchell and Cameron's storyline, centered on the supposed feelings of Mitchell's assistant, feels vague and underwhelming. Although their dynamic is usually a strength, it's reduced here to an absurd argument that leads nowhere significant.
Jay and Gloria's storyline is lighthearted but offers some humorous moments, particularly when Gloria outsmarts Jay by moving a surprise dinner to the garage. This small victory highlights Gloria's charm and reminds us why she's such a captivating character.
In conclusion, "Bixby's Back" has flashes of creativity and humor thanks to Phil and Claire, but weaker subplots make it an uneven episode that doesn't quite recapture the brilliance of its predecessor.
