‘The Graduates’
Season 8, Episode 22 - Aired May 17, 2017
After Manny's father, Javier, shows up to take him out the night before his graduation, Jay steps in to pick up the pieces. As Claire tries to be the calm, steady parent ahead of Luke's graduation, Haley and Alex push Phil to get all his crying out before the ceremony. Meanwhile, Mitchell and Cameron wonder whether Lily should skip a grade, after they learn she is academically gifted.
Quote from Jay
Manny: Mom, you're already cooking for tomorrow? Don't make a big deal.
Gloria: My baby's graduating. He won the award for Integrity and Character. "No absence, no tardies, respectful to students and teachers alike."
Jay: My school had an award like that, but instead of a sash, that kid got a punch in the mouth. Proud of you, though.
Manny: Why do all your stories involve a punch in the face, a shifty European, or a broad who's been around the block?
Jay: That reminds me of when I had to rough up this Italian kid because he didn't want me dating his sister. She was no nun!
Quote from Javier
Javier: How could I miss it? Manny, the first member of my family to ever graduate from high school.
Jay: Wait a minute. Don't you have a brother in Colombia who's a doctor?
Javier: Yes.
Gloria: He just does orthopedic surgery, not brain or heart.
Quote from Phil
Claire: [singsong] There he is, the graduate.
Phil: I have one word for you, Luke... plastics.
Claire: [normal voice] I don't think he knows that movie, honey.
Phil: Mrs. Dunphy, you're trying to seduce me.
Quote from Phil
Alex: Dad, we really got to talk about the crying. When we graduated, you were a mess, and it was humiliating.
Phil: Showing emotion is part of being a sexy modern man. Ask anyone who was raised on Alan Alda.
Quote from Luke
Claire: The thing is, we love the car. We were so moved by the gesture.
Phil: [voice breaking] So moved. Hey! I'm back! I guess I just needed to rehydrate.
Claire: Oh. But we can't keep it. Honey, it's just... it's too generous.
Luke: But I love you guys so much.
Phil: You're the graduate. You need the car. It's yours.
Luke: I don't know what to say.
[aside to camera:]
Luke: How 'bout "nailed it"? I wanted that sweet ride from the moment I saw it, but I knew my parents would never let me get it. I also knew they'd never keep it if I gave it to them, so... If there were any S.A.T. questions about tricking your parents, I'd be going to college.
Quote from Gloria
Jay: What's cooking?
Gloria: My mother's recipe, guinea-pig pie.
Jay: Smells good.
Gloria: You just accept that? It's pecan. How cuckoo do you think my country is?
Jay: It's come to this? "What's cooking" and "smells good" gets me in trouble?
Quote from Javier
Javier: Think of it, tomorrow, I will watch you stride across the stage with a sash, like a rebel's bandolier, telling the world "No absents, no tardies."
Quote from Gloria
Jay: Manny and I were gonna grill some steaks and drink some, um, beers.
Javier: Thank you, Jay, but if it's all right with you, I would like to take Manny out for a special father-son celebration.
Manny: Is that okay?
Jay: Ah, sure. I mean, he made the effort to come. Didn't have time to button his shirt all the way up. But... go ahead.
Javier: Perfect! The night begins. But first... here. [spritzing] Walk through this. [chuckles]
Gloria: I know that smells terrible, but I've never seen that man get a mosquito bite.
Quote from Phil
Claire: Okay, let's just give him the gift, all right?
Phil: Okay, but first, gather around, everybody! Riddle me this. What has two hands, is wound tight, and has a lot of ticks?
Luke: Alex? [laughter]
Phil: Good guess, but no. This was made in Switzerland, not in the Disneyland Hotel.
Quote from Claire
Claire: [aside to camera] I loved the macaroni necklace he made me in first grade, and I even used the perfume he gave me in fifth grade, but this car is so gaudy. People are gonna think I played for the Knicks in the '70s.