MovieChat Forums > Modern Family (2009) Discussion > New Plot Devices let's face it they need...

New Plot Devices let's face it they need the ideas

posted 8 years ago by helenahandbasket-93734
5 replies | jump to latest

The writing ideas, other than bringing in Dwight, are tired and regurgitated; in the hopes that someone associated with the show pays attention, let's given them some ideas for actual story advancement that can develop over a few more seasons.

1) the 'documentary' team becoming a part of the story- actually discussing things like viewership, ratings, likeability.

As an example- discussion concerning the viewers being put off by Claire & Mitchell- there's material there for DAYS.

[–] johnston.scot 8 years ago

Um ... there clearly is no "documentary team." In any event, even if there were, I don't think imitating the last few episodes of "The Office" would be wise.

They could make Rainier Shine an extended character, I suppose. I'm guessing they won't, but they could.

They could also expand Alex's character so she's not just a "seasoning" character who reflects on the others. They seemed to be starting in that direction, but have bailed out on it this year.

There's much more they could do with Claire-running-Jay's-company-without-him, which was introduced last season.

Ultimately, the show is primarily a traditional sitcom in which each episode largely stands alone, rather than an HBO-style show with dominant through-lines that run for whole seasons.

[–] helenahandbasket-93734 8 years ago

No, the premise of the show was that it was a 'documentary'; the pilot was shot like this- the sit down with each family telling a little mini-bio, and the 4th wall talks, looking directly into the camera- that was all supposed to be because a documentary was being shot, but then I think it was just sort of dropped and never really discussed.

It's something that would be fairly easy to introduce, or sort of re-introduce, as a vehicle, and take some turns with characters that haven't even been touched upon.

[–] sumedhalongani 8 years ago

But why should they repeat what other mockumentaries have already done?
Modern Family's vague filming source is perfect because then they don't have restrictions that other shows had.

[–] drjoek 8 years ago

I actually like the balance now with less of the sitdown talk to the camera and the occasional look at the camera when something awkward is going on. Kind of a Did they just see that, God I hope not! look

[–] first_rule_of_fightclub 8 years ago

I understand what you're saying that discussing viewership, ratings of the documentary would provide a lot of material, but I'm not sure that's the way I would go.

I would make the kids actual characters. As someone else said, Alex just comments on everyone else. She's never really had her own story lines. I know she's supposed to be an unpopular, smart kid but we know she has friends. They could've introduced some story lines with her and her friends long before now.

I've thought for a while now that they should have Alex and Haley move in together. There's a lot of material they could use there with those two trying to be self-sufficient and do things on their own. They could have friends over, learn to get along better and help each other grow as people - Alex be more social and Haley be more intelligent.

Give Luke a life of his own. For too long the kids have just existed for the sake of the family story lines. If they opened up the world and introduced characters that the kids could be friends with that gives more material for stories.

Bring Gloria back to being a three dimensional character instead of a caricature.

Figure out what to do with Manny. Him being a grown up in a 9 year old's body may have been humorous and worked in the first couple of seasons but it makes no sense now.

As it is, the characters all seem to be just running in place.