Content guide
Preview first — about 10+
Modern Family S9 E5, “It's the Great Pumpkin, Phil Dunphy”, scores 2/5 for violence, 2/5 for sex and 3/5 for language, for an overall kid-rating of 3/5 — Preview first — about 10+. Phil and Claire still want to celebrate Halloween in a big way, but it seems no one shares their same enthusiasm making them wonder if maybe everyone is right. Over at the Pritchett's, Mitch and Cam are frustrated by how long Jay is taking to finish their kitchen remodel, which forces Mitch to finally stand up to his dad. Meanwhile, Gloria's hospitality is wearing thin when Cam oversteps his boundaries as a house guest.
Across the episode we counted 8 flagged moments in 5 themes: Sex & hookups (1); Affairs / cheating (1); Violence & injury (1); Swearing (2); Alcohol & drugs (3). Every moment below is either a direct quote from the episode transcript or a short description of what happens on screen, so you can decide before you press play.
Parents need to know
Age 10+Violence, language, affairs and cheating in live-action sitcom.
Parents need to know that Modern Family S9 E5, "It's the Great Pumpkin, Phil Dunphy", is a live-action sitcom episode. The series is known for family-first; adult plots are talked around rather than shown. Sits in the gray area mainly on violence & injury (explicit, in dialogue). Violence is mild but includes Only I swapped out silly string for broad swords and laughter for murder. Sexual content is mild but includes And tonight, we were gonna take things to the next level, which is, you know, sex; You cheated on me?! We were drunk, okay? And she was really upset 'cause she had to drop…. Language isn't constant, but you can expect swearing — for example, You son of a bitch! You were with Carla! I knew there was one perfect thing I could say…. Characters drink or talk about alcohol and drugs — …Oh, what, you're too old for a little scare? The scariest thing is you could be a cheap…. Every flagged moment below is a direct quote from the transcript or a short description of what happens on screen.
Watch for — every moment, theme by theme
Sex & hookups 1 moment
How Sex & hookups shows up in Modern Family S9 E5:
And tonight, we were gonna take things to the next level, which is, you know, sex.
Affairs / cheating 1 moment
How Affairs / cheating shows up in Modern Family S9 E5:
You cheated on me?! We were drunk, okay? And she was really upset 'cause she had to drop her daughter off at college.
Violence & injury 1 moment
How Violence & injury shows up in Modern Family S9 E5:
Only I swapped out silly string for broad swords and laughter for murder.
Swearing 2 moments
How Swearing shows up in Modern Family S9 E5:
You son of a bitch! You were with Carla! I knew there was one perfect thing I could say to save it.
This is the proudest damn moment of my life.
Alcohol & drugs 3 moments
How Alcohol & drugs shows up in Modern Family S9 E5:
…Oh, what, you're too old for a little scare? The scariest thing is you could be a cheap pick-up line, two beers, and nine months away from being a grandparent, and you just risked asphyxiation in the fridge.
I'd like to think that drinking beer makes my hair grow back, but life ain't fair.
You suck! To think I wasted so much time on such a weepy, clingy, Pez-eating snore! I can't believe I sat there and pretended to be a doll as you brushed my hair! [CROWD MURMURING.]
Watch With The Kids · Your kids — your rules! · Informal parent guidance, not an official rating.