| "Strangers on a Treadmill" | |||
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| Modern Family episode | |||
| Episode no. | Season 2 Episode 4 |
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| Directed by | Scott Ellis | ||
| Written by | Danny Zucker | ||
| Production code | 2ARG02 | ||
| Original air date | October 13, 2010[1] | ||
| Season 2 episodes | |||
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| Episode chronology | |||
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| List of Modern Family episodes | |||
"Strangers on a Treadmill" is the fourth episode of the second season of the American sitcom, Modern Family. The episode originally aired October 13, 2010 on American Broadcasting Company (ABC). The episode was written by Danny Zucker and directed by Scott Ellis.
In the episode, Claire (Julie Bowen) and Mitchell (Jesse Tyler Ferguson) try to spare their significant others from embarrassment; Haley (Sarah Hyland) tries to teach Alex (Ariel Winter) how to be cool, and Jay (Ed O'Neill) tries to prove to Gloria (Sofía Vergara) he knows his employees.[1]
"Strangers on a Treadmill" received mostly positive reviews with Joel Keller saying the secondary plots "didn't quite make it", but had "fun moments".[2] According to the Nielsen Media Research received a 4.8 rating/13% share in the 18-49 demographic increasing 4% from the previous episode, "Earthquake". The episode also became the first of the series to become the highest rated scripted program of the week in the 18-49 demographic.
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The episode begins with Phil (Ty Burrell) writing jokes for the SCARB (Southern California Annual Realtors Banquet) that he is hosting. Unlike what he thinks Claire (Julie Bowen) believes he is going to bomb with his unfunny jokes. Also Cameron decides to work out with bike shorts much to Mitchell's (Jesse Tyler Ferguson) chagrin. While working out Claire and Mitchell decide to tell the others spouse of their bad habit (like Strangers on a Train). At the Dunphy's house Mitchell arrives to tell Phil about his bad jokes. Unfortunately Mitchell can't go through it after seeing Phil's sad face. Meanwhile Claire tells Cameron about how he doesn't look good in bike shorts causing Cameron to go and cry in the hallway. Later that day Claire calls Mitchell asking him why he didn't go through it. While saying she didn't go through her part of the deal Cameron hears the conversation and becomes sad once again. To prove their relationship can stand anything Mitchell gets ready to cut off his beard, but after only cutting a single part of it Cameron tell him he loves his beard. Soon the couple kiss and make up, but they soon get into another fight. At the SCARB Claire hides Phil's lines in her purse. Phil decides to go up their and improvise which somehow works to Claire's confusion. At their house Phil tells her he knows she took the cards and that he is OK with what she did.
Meanwhile at Jay's house Gloria (Sofía Vergara) reminds Jay (Ed O'Neill) about his co-workers quinceanera. Initially Jay decides not to go, but to prove a point to Gloria, Jay decides to go. When they arrive Jay convinces Manny (Rico Rodriguez) to ask everybody their name to win the fight between him and Gloria. Gloria soon realizes they are at an engagement party which is next door to the quinceanera. Gloria tries to tell him this, but Jay won't listen. Soon the engaged couple kiss each other and Jay tries to stop it. At the Dunphy house, hearing Alex (Ariel Winter) nervously calling a girl named McKenzie, Haley (Sarah Hyland) decides to help Alex become more popular by teaching her the basics of adolescent social maneuvering. Soon her help works when Alex begins to take control of the relationship with McKenzie, saying she'll "try to come" to the other girl's party. It then turns into chaos when Alex mentions she has to do homework, panics and says she loves homework, becomes even more nervous and says "I love you" to McKenzie. Alex then becomes sad when Claire comes to comfort her.
"Strangers on a Treadmill" was written by Danny Zucker, marking his fourth writing credit for the series. The episode was directed by Scott Ellis his second directing credit for the series having directed the episode "The Kiss".[1] The episode originally aired October 13, 2010 and was rated TV PG-D.[1][3] Before airing, the episode was read at a live table read on August 3, 2010.[4][5] More details of the plot were revealed at the 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards by Eric Stonestreet.[6] Mitchell and Claire's plan and the title are based on the movie, Strangers on a Train.[7] Phill's line "I know it was you Claire" serves as a homage to The Godfather Part II.[8]
In its original American broadcast on October 13, 2010, "Strangers on a Treadmill" was viewed by 11.344 million households and received a 4.8 rating/13% share among viewers between the ages of 18 and 49.[9][10] This means that it was seen by 4.8% of all 18–49 years olds, and 13% of all 18–49 year olds watching television at the time of the broadcast. This marked an improvement from the previous episode, "Earthquake".[9][11] "Strangers on the Treadmill" was the most-watched scripted show for the week of broadcast among adults aged 18–49, marking a first for the series. The episode also became the eighteenth most-watched show among all viewers.[12]
The episode received positive reviews from critics. Joel Keller of TV Squad gave the episode a mostly positive review. He felt while the two main stories "clicked" he also felt "the two secondary stories didn't quite make it" although he stated they had "fun moments".[2] He also complemented the writers for giving Alex and Haley more screen time.[2] The A.V. Clubs Donna Bowman rated the episode with a B+ commenting that Luke was the best supporting character. He also called Phil's success during his speech "one of the best moments this show has produced".[7] James Poniewozik of Time stated in his review "not a remarkable episode, but one with several nice moments.[13]
Lesley Savage of Entertainment Weekly gave the episode a positive review. She stated in her review "by the time the frame-within-a-frame-within-a-frame title sequence kicked in after just four minutes of couch-potato time, all my tension and irritation had been washed away by a flood of laughter." [14] Alan Speinwall stated "an episode like "Strangers on a Treadmill" - while having a number of strong individual moments - was a reminder that sometimes the show can get too crowded for its own good."[15] Matt Roush of TV Guide wrote that "No show had me laughing out loud more this week (as usual) than the brilliantly structured Modern Family".[16]
This episode won Julie Bowen an Emmy for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series 2011
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