The show is filmed in the mockumentary style, with brief interstitials that allow for exposition. Though the show is obstinately about intra-family relationships, it has a greater focus on dark and absurdist comedy. One such example is a scene in which one of the children has a problem with shooting his siblings with a toy BB Gun. To correct this problem, his parents (Ty Burrell and Julie Bowen) decide that he needs to be shot with the gun. While discussing when he this shooting should take place, Burrell and Bowen manage to work in references to soccer games and other obligations, which creates a degree of recognition for people who grew up on the traditional family sitcom. Yet, at the same time the dark and absurdist comedy coexists with the traditional.

And yes, the show does venture to the absurd quite often, usually while referencing some elements of pop culture. Burrell dancing to High School Musical was used heavily in commercials, but there are other gags that are just as adept. The show plays upon the “I gave her my heart, she gave me a pen” line from Say Anything when detailing the courtship of an eleven-year-old by substituting “picture of me as an old-time sheriff” for “pen”. These references aren’t in any heavy-handed manner and fit the characterization of each character (much unlike the “manatee gags” of Family Guy).

The breakout star of the show is Burrell, who portrays the self-stylized “cool dad”. He tries to be hip when it is painfully obvious that he is not in any sense of the word. Even though the “cool” dad has been performed many times throughout the years, the mockumentary interstitials allow for more development and jokes that seem fresh, even if the archetype itself is stale.

Modern Family marks a step in the right direction for television comedy, and is the best new comedy this year. There is tremendous potential to be found within its first thirty minutes, and it marks the first comedy on ABC in a long time that is worth watching.

Although she doesn’t normally do one-night-stands, she ends up staying the night—and surprise, she gets pregnant. After telling Zack they travel to the doctors to get an ultra-sound and decide to keep the baby and enter a relationship. Does this sound a bit familiar? It should because it was like watching an alternate Knocked Up except it wasn’t funny.

And then the conflict occurs. Remember that handsome ex? He is also her boss and work who just happens to have had an epiphany and wants to take things more seriously. Billie wants to get out of her current predicament and back with James, but goes weak at the knees after Zach paints the nursery then. She decides to give it another shot.

What Accidentally on Purpose basically boiled down to was a bunch of sex, drugs, and pop culture jokes. Unfortunately, hardly anything was funny. I certainly never laughed out loud and cannot remember a scene that I found particularly enjoyable. Yes, this was only the pilot of the series, but when the very premise of the show didn’t really hold my interest and jokes are missing left and right, I can’t suggest that people watch it during the competitive time slot.

After kicking the addiction, House is a very difficult patient who desperately tries “to get asked to leave”. He could leave on his own will but he needs a recommendation from the facility’s director, Dr. Darryl Nolan, if he wants to practice medicine again. Dr. Nolan seems to be a bad person who is treating House like a slave (which House wittingly comments about how ironic that the black director would be insensitive to slavery).  However House is unfazed and banter with the hospital’s doctors at  allow for the series’ signature tongue-in-cheek dialogue to reemerge after a darker opening sequence.

Being locked up in a mental hospital brings up horrible nightmarish scenarios like those of One Flew Out of the Cuckoo’s Nest. Yet House doesn’t alter his behavior. He continues to have scintillating dialogue with doctors who could really make his life a living hell.  Somewhat surprisingly, House begins to follow directions (somewhat) while he also confronts some of the perceived injustices inside the hospital. For a person who has held little concern for others over the past five seasons, House becomes worried with the rehabilitation techniques used for certain patients.

One such patient is a man who acts normally most of the time yet is also convinced he is a superhero. House breaks some of the rules to take the man to a fair and foster his misconceptions. It seems as though House had made the right decision until the man attempts to fly off of the parking garage and is seriously injured. House has made a huge error in judgment. I personally felt that he was making the correct decision, but because of the horrendous outcome the hospital’s philosophy proves to be right.

This event serves as a catalyst to change House’s life philosophy. Through his one-on-one talks with Dr. Nolan, he begins to reevaluate his dealings with other people. As we have learned throughout the series, House is almost incapable of having close relationships because he cannot fully trust anyone. Dr. Nolan addresses this issue almost immediately while rejecting House’s attempts to shift focus on other non-important issues.

House forms a relationship with a regular visitor of another patient.  Lydia and House spend much time together and develop a strong attraction and attachment. Through this romantic relationship, House makes himself completely vulnerable, yet the pessimist in him inhibits some of his early thoughts. Although destined to fail because Lydia is married, House continues to be with her—rejecting his former philosophy that failures overshadow any success and that pain trumps joy.

House’s character change in the season premiere can only be described as remarkable. The episode was more of a cinematic experience and one that included emotional weight and a variety of other reactions.  House underwent major philosophical change in the episode that could suggest shift in the dynamics of the show. Needless to say the season premiere was everything a television admirer could wish for and is something definitely worth watching.