Great Expectations (Modern Family)

"Great Expectations"
Modern Family episode
Mitchell (Jesse Tyler Ferguson) and Cameron's (Eric Stonestreet) old friend, Sal (Elizabeth Banks)
Episode no.	Season 1 Episode 8
Directed by	Jason Winer
Written by	Joe Lawson
Production code	1ARG07
Original air date	November 18, 2009
Guest appearance(s)
Elizabeth Banks (Sal) Edward Norton (Izzy LaFontaine) Reid Ewing (Dylan)
Season 1 episodes
2009–2010 "Pilot" "The Bicycle Thief" "Come Fly With Me" "The Incident" "Coal Digger" "Run for Your Wife" "En Garde" "Great Expecations" "Fizbo" "Undeck the Halls" "Up All Night" "Not in My House" "Fifteen Percent" "Moon Landing" "My Funky Valentine" "Fears" "Truth Be Told" "Starry Night" "Game Changer" "Benched" "Travels with Scout" "Airport 2010" "Hawaii" "Family Portrait"   Season 2 →
Episode chronology
← Previous "En Garde" Next → "Fizbo"
List of Modern Family episodes

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"Great Expectations" is the eighth episode of the ABC sitcom Modern Family and the eighth episode of the series overall. It premiered on ABC in the United States on November 18, 2009. The episode was written by Joe Lawson and directed by Jason Winer.

In the episode, Claire wants to make a special gift to Phil for their anniversary since she always picks the worst presents for him, while he chooses some amazing ones. All the kids are gathered at Jay's house for a sleepover, in a night that Jay calls "Jay's night". Haley does not want to be there but to go to a party with Dylan, but Dylan ends up to be part of the sleepover with all of them. Mitch and Cameron go out to meet their party friend, Sal, so they can have fun for the first time in a long time only to realize that Sal is jealous of Lily.

"Great Expectations" received positive reviews from the television critics.

Claire (Julie Bowen) has a history of giving bad gifts while Phil (Ty Burrell) has a history of giving her great gifts she really appreciates. So, in an attempt to make up for it, she decides to give Phil a surprising anniversary present, which is a private performance by Izzy LaFontaine (Edward Norton), the fictional bass player of Spandau Ballet. However, this unexpected gift turns out to be a mistake, as Phil was neither a fan of Spandau Ballet nor their song "True", which Claire believed to be Claire & Phil's special song. According to Phil, the couple's "song" was "If You Leave" by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark.

Jay (Ed O'Neill) and Gloria (Sofía Vergara) are having all the grandkids (including Lily for the first time) over for a slumber party, a tradition he calls "Jay's Night." Haley (Sarah Hyland) feels like she is too old for family sleepovers and wants to go to a party with her boyfriend Dylan (Reid Ewing). Alex (Ariel Winter) says they should enjoy spending time with their grandfather because they do not know how much longer he will be around - which both confuses and scares Luke (Nolan Gould) into thinking that Jay is dying.