The episode begins with Haley (Sarah Hyland) and Claire (Julie Bowen) arguing about Haley wanting to go to a two hour party when a plumber comes in to fix their bathroom. The earthquake locks Claire in the bathroom with the plumber and knocks down the Dunphy’s bookcase. Soon after a call between the three families Phil realizes if he can keep Claire in the bathroom long enough he can get the bookcase strapped to the wall like he told Claire to do. Haley also realizes she can go to the party while Claire is stuck in the bathroom, but Claire hears her telling Alex (Ariel Winter) about the plan.

Soon Phil convinces Luke (Nolan Gould) the bookshelf didn’t fall. After Phil “tries” to get Claire out the plumber tells Claire that the reason she’s being controlling to Haley is because Haley is Claire. Claire and the plumber finally get out of the bathroom and Claire questions what took Phil so long. Alex lies for him and says he was helping everybody. Claire believes her and kisses him before he goes and take Alex to the Museum of Tolerance.

Meanwhile Cameron (Eric Stonestreet) & Mitchell (Jesse Tyler Ferguson) get ready for Cameron’s ex-boyfriend, Pepper Saltman’s (Nathan Lane) new theme party, Oscar Wilde & Crazy Brunch. Unknowing to Pepper, Cameron & Mitchell have grown a hatred for his parties. While this is happening Mitchell realizes he can get out of the party with the earthquake, but Cameron panics while telling Pepper about this which leads to Pepper coming to their house. Mitchell starts breaking items to make Pepper think it did affect their house.

After Cameron’s speech Mitchell calls Cameron a mob wife who later agrees with the fact. Cameron tells Pepper they didn’t want to go with Pepper proceeding to cry that no one came to the party. Not to make him sadder Mitchell tells him that Cameron still has feeling for him and then goes on a fake rampage of anger. Pepper then lets them not come to the next few parties.

At the Pritchett house, Gloria (Sofia Vergara) gets angry at Jay (Ed O’Neill) for going golfing instead of going to church with her and Manny. He then tells them he’s done with church when the earthquake happens. Meanwhile at the Pritchett house, Jay still goes golfing despite Gloria telling him the earthquake was a sign from god. Soon Manny decides to come with him. At the golf course Manny asks questions about Jay’s idea of hell and heaven. Jay’s ideas soon worry Manny. When Gloria tells Manny of her vision of heaven he becomes even more fearful when she says their are butterflies in heaven.

“Earthquake” is the third episode of the second season of the ABC series, Modern Family and the 27th episode overall. The episode originally aired October 6, 2010.

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