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Modern Family Season 4 Episodes
Season 4 Episode Guide
24 Episodes 2012 - 2013
In Season 4 of the mockumentary-style sitcom about the extended Pritchett clan, Jay (Ed O'Neill) marks another birthday with his customary wish to be left alone, one that won't be granted, however, when Phil (Ty Burrell) takes him fishing with his pals, but it's a day Jay will never forget—once Gloria (Sofía Vergara) figures out how to tell him she's pregnant. Meanwhile, Dylan (Reid Ewing) moves in with the Dunphys on a temporary basis; Haley (Sarah Hyland) gets off to a rocky start at college; Cameron (Eric Stonestreet) starts a new job as a music teacher where Luke (Nolan Gould) and Manny (Rico Rodriguez) go to school, so Mitchell (Jesse Tyler Ferguson) takes a stab at being a stay-at-home dad; Gloria's mother and sister visit from Colombia with ideas for baby names; and Phil suggests an alternative Halloween when the Dunphys' neighbors find Claire's annual holiday extravaganza inappropriate. Guest stars in Season 4 include Rob Riggle, Paget Brewster, Nathan Lane and Fred Willard as Phil's dad.
Episode 1
Bringing Up Baby
Wed, Sep 26, 2012 30 mins
Jay marks another birthday in the Season 4 premiere with his customary wish to be left alone, one that won't be granted when Phil takes him fishing with his pals, but it's a day he'll never forget—once Gloria figures out how to tell him she's pregnant. Meanwhile, Dylan moves in with the Dunphys on a temporary basis; and Mitchell and Cameron consider adopting a cat.
Episode 2
Schooled
Wed, Oct 10, 2012 30 mins
Lily's first day at kindergarten is marred by a scuffle with a little boy, which results in a tense confrontation for Mitchell and Cameron with the lad's lesbian parents. Meanwhile, Phil and Claire make Haley's arrival at college a humiliating experience; and Manny urges Jay and Gloria to take a class to prepare for their new baby.
Episode 3
Snip
Wed, Oct 10, 2012 30 mins
Phil goes in for a vasectomy, all according to a detailed plan he and Claire have for their future after Luke goes to college. Meanwhile, Jay and Gloria, who's not quite ready for maternity wear, debate the merits of learning their baby's gender; and Mitchell drops hints to Cameron about getting a part-time job now that Lily is in kindergarten.
Episode 4
The Butler's Escape
Wed, Oct 17, 2012 30 mins
Cameron starts a new job as a music teacher at Luke and Manny's school, so Mitchell takes a stab at being a stay-at-home dad. Meanwhile, Phil is beside himself when Luke says he's lost his love for magic; and Gloria develops a pregnancy-related snore that's keeping everyone awake.
Episode 5
Open House of Horrors
Wed, Oct 24, 2012 30 mins
When the Dunphys' neighbors find Claire's annual Halloween extravaganza inappropriate, Phil suggests having an open house for the holiday. Meanwhile, Mitchell and Cameron host a costume party, but must also field questions from Lily about her birth mom; and Gloria's pregnancy intensifies her emotions.
Episode 6
Yard Sale
Wed, Oct 31, 2012 30 mins
At a Pritchett family yard sale held by Jay and Gloria to help a fund-raiser at Luke and Manny's school, Phil can't decide what to buy or sell, and Mitchell and Cameron assess Alex's new male friend, but Gloria would rather the contents of an old trunk not be revealed.
Episode 7
Arrested
Wed, Nov 7, 2012 30 mins
Haley gets arrested for underage drinking, prompting a frantic trip to the police station for Claire, Phil and the family lawyer, Mitchell, leaving Alex and Luke under Cameron's shaky supervision. Meanwhile, Jay is surprised by a visit from his ex-wife, Dede, but he tries to get rid of her before she finds out that Gloria is pregnant.
Episode 8
Mistery Date
Wed, Nov 14, 2012 30 mins
Alex's academic decathlon means a weekend getaway for Manny and Luke when Claire brings them along, but they're preoccupied with meeting girls at the hotel. Meanwhile, Phil plans a guys' night at home with a fellow alumnus he just met; and Mitchell and Cameron search for a baby gift for Jay and Gloria.
Episode 9
When a Tree Falls
Wed, Nov 28, 2012 30 mins
Mitchell reluctantly joins Cameron in a campaign to save an old tree in a park. Meanwhile, Jay and Manny are out of their element at a kid's party with an Olympics theme; and Gloria's pregnancy makes a trip to a big-box store with Claire a memorable one.
Episode 10
Diamond in the Rough
Wed, Dec 12, 2012 30 mins
Claire and Cameron try house flipping after they renovate an overgrown baseball field for Manny and Luke's playoff game, but Phil and Mitchell aren't buying their pitch. Meanwhile, Gloria uses a microphone to sing to her unborn baby.
Episode 11
New Year's Eve
Wed, Jan 9, 2013 30 mins
Jay plans for the family to ring in the New Year at a Palm Springs hotel, but it's not a very happy one when the accommodations leave something to be desired—though his luck just might change after he runs into actor Billy Dee Williams. Meanwhile, Haley and Alex have a memorable babysitting adventure.
Episode 12
Party Crasher
Wed, Jan 16, 2013 30 mins
Jay and Gloria plan a surprise party for Manny's 14th birthday; Haley's interest in an older man is a concern for her parents; Cameron worries that Lily is closer to Mitchell.
Episode 13
Fulgencio
Wed, Jan 23, 2013 30 mins
Gloria's mother and sister visit from Colombia, but they bring a lot more baggage than just their luggage. Meanwhile, Phil's unconventional approach to helping with the kids' problems goes underappreciated; and Mitchell and Cameron try to stay on their best behavior so Lily stops picking up bad habits.
Episode 14
A Slight at the Opera
Wed, Feb 6, 2013 30 mins
Cameron's school production of "Phantom of the Opera" is in jeopardy when his star gets sick, but Manny has a plan to come to the rescue. Meanwhile, Phil's golf lesson with Jay turns into a competition with Mitchell and Pepper; Alex tags along on Gloria's errands, which include a visit to a psychic; and Claire babysits Lily and Joe.
Episode 15
Heart Broken
Wed, Feb 13, 2013 30 mins
Phil and Claire's alter egos, Clive and Juliana, reunite for Valentine's Day, but their rendezvous puts Claire in the hospital. Meanwhile, Jay and Gloria's romantic evening is marred by the kids' interruptions; and Mitchell and Cameron throw a wild party that leaves them wondering what happened the night before and why Dylan is their new housemate.
Episode 16
Bad Hair Day
Wed, Feb 20, 2013 30 mins
Claire goes to her university reunion by herself and encounters a professor she dated, a situation that turns awkward when Phil shows up out of the blue. Meanwhile, Jay can't stop thinking about an upcoming bowling tournament; and Gloria gives in to Mitchell's offer to babysit Joe to give her a break, but Cameron sees a chance to use the boy in one of his elaborate photo shoots.
Episode 17
Best Men
Wed, Feb 27, 2013 30 mins
Mitchell and Cameron get a surprise visit from their friend Sal, who arrives with the news that she's getting married—and Mitch and Cam are the best men. Meanwhile, Gloria doesn't trust her new nanny; Claire bonds with Haley; and Phil gives romantic advice to Luke about a girl he likes.
Episode 18
The Wow Factor
Wed, Mar 27, 2013 30 mins
Claire and Cameron disagree on a landscaping matter for a house they're trying to flip, so they call on a neutral party—one of the lesbian moms from Lily's school—to settle the issue. Meanwhile, Phil teaches the kids basic-repair skills around the house; Jay is alone with baby Joe when Gloria and Manny have a mother-son outing; and Mitchell counsels Lily on how to deal with a bully.
Episode 19
The Future Dunphys
Wed, Apr 3, 2013 30 mins
Phil and Claire get a glimpse of their possible future on a trip to the hospital, where they witness a family that's eerily similar to their own. Meanwhile, Mitchell and Cameron plan a "girls day" for Lily and Gloria that turns into a cultural lesson; and Jay takes Manny to visit a private school.
Episode 20
Flip Flop
Wed, Apr 10, 2013 30 mins
Javier visits Manny with his new girlfriend, much to Gloria's dismay. Meanwhile, Phil hits a snag trying to sell Claire and Cameron's flipped house, and enlists the whole family in some crazy schemes to seal the deal.
Episode 21
Career Day
Wed, May 1, 2013 30 mins
Phil relishes the idea of talking about real estate for Career Day at Luke and Manny's school—until it turns into the mother of all turf battles when his nemesis, Gil Thorpe, shows up. Meanwhile, Mitchell and Cameron are on tooth-fairy duty, but a mistake has them looking down in the mouth; and Gloria challenges Jay's claims of wanting to be a novelist.
Episode 22
My Hero
Wed, May 8, 2013 30 mins
Mitch's ex-boyfriend, Teddy, invites the Pritchett clan to a fund-raiser at a roller rink, where Phil gives Gloria skating lessons; Claire avoids talking business with Jay; Haley gives Alex tips on meeting boys; and Cam tries to act relaxed around Teddy. Meanwhile, Manny and Luke discuss possible subjects for a "My Hero" essay assignment.
Episode 23
Games People Play
Wed, May 15, 2013 30 mins
Phil hopes his new RV will be the perfect vehicle for a family road trip, but Claire lets her husband find out for himself why it might not be such a good idea. Meanwhile, Jay and Gloria help Manny look for his misplaced backpack, which gives them a chance to snoop around in Claire's and Mitchell's houses; and Lily's gymnastics meet gets Mitchell and Cameron's competitive juices flowing.
Episode 24
Goodnight Gracie
Wed, May 22, 2013 30 mins
In the Season 4 finale, the Pritchett clan join Phil in Florida after his mother passes away, but his grief takes a backseat to his surprise at her dying wish. Meanwhile, Mitchell helps Gloria deal with a legal problem; Cameron warms up to a group of elderly women in Frank's retirement community; and Jay has an encounter with an old acquaintance.
