When a show has been on TV for as long as Modern Family has (11 seasons!), there's bound to be a few plot holes, inconsistencies, and storylines that were left in the dust. So many dramatic things happen to the Dunphys, Tucker-Pritchetts, and Delgado-Pritchetts, that it can be hard to keep track of everything that's going on.
However, when something so important happens to the characters, only to never be brought up again, it leaves a sour taste in fans' mouths. How could something so instrumental in these characters' lives not be brought up again? With fans rewatching the show now that it's over, it's easy to be reminded of the storylines that could have been.
Whatever Happened To Luke's App?
At the start of the 11th season, Luke was still attending community college but had a plan up his sleeve. After doing his research and connecting with an older businessman, Luke and his new business partner created an app to make doctor office paperwork easier. His idea was pretty genius and he did his homework thoroughly.
Claire and Phil were so impressed with Luke's idea that they supported his decision to drop out of college to pursue this business idea. Shockingly, that was the last fans heard of the app! By the end of the series, Luke was off to college at the University of Oregon. Whatever happened to the app?
Why Was This Part Of Luke's Life Ignored?
In "A Tale Of Three Cities," the Dunphys are gearing up to end their little vacation in New York City. Haley, Alex, and Luke weren't ready to leave when their parents did, so they decided to stay a little longer.
When it came to paying for a hotel, Haley suggested using the money that Luke won in his carnival settlement. Apparently, Luke fell off a ride and there was no mention or continuation of this at all throughout the show.
Lily's Brightness Is Overlooked
Cam and Mitchell's parenting skills have been questioned by fans for years. All they wanted was a child and they were given the perfect one with Lily. However, they don't always take her feelings into account or even pay attention to her.
In one episode, it was brought to their attention that Lily was incredibly bright. She was encouraged by the school to move up a grade, much to Cam and Mitch's disbelief. But sadly, that was the last fans heard of Lily's accelerated education. It would have been amazing to see Lily and Alex connect on an intellectual level.
Where Is Phil's Magic Shop!
At Jay and Gloria's 10th wedding anniversary party, Phil found out that he was given the opportunity to own his own magic shop 10 years ago but the message never crossed his way. As it turned out, Claire knew about the opportunity but never passed the message along to Phil.
To make it up to Phil, she bought the magic shop and gifted it to Phil. He was now the owner of his very own magic shop. This would have been an amazing side gig for Phil but it was never talked about again.
What Happened To The Bond Between Lily & Gloria?
When Lily was a baby, Gloria loved every second of spending time with her. She would happily babysit Lily if Cam and Mitch were busy and looked forward to spending time with a girl in the family.
This relationship could have flourished into a beautiful pairing on the show but as soon as Lily grew, they slowly stopped spending time together. Gloria's maternal side with Lily faded and their bond disappeared. This was an opportunity missed.
Where Dod The Dunphys' Neighbors Go?
Phil and Claire were devastated when their potential dream neighbors were out-bid by an undesirable (in their eyes) family. The new family next door was rough around the edges and the complete opposite of the Dunphy clan.
They appeared in a few storylines with the Dunphys but they slowly stopped popping up. Considering how invasive they were from the start, it seems unlikely that they gave Phil and Claire space later on.
Remember Phil's Parking Garage?
In the eighth season, Phil's love of real estate expanded when he and Jay bought a lot and transformed it into a parking garage. In "All Things Being Equal," Jay and Phil were at odds with how the parking garage should be run but they eventually came to an understanding by the end of the episode.
It seemed like a fun business venture for the two to be apart of but it sadly went nowhere. The two slowly stopped talking about their lot and it was no longer shown.
Cam & Claire's House-Flipping Business
Due to Phil's love of real estate and Cam and Claire's need for control and order, joining forces in flipping houses seemed like the next logical move.
Although flipping a house was harder than they expected, it seemed like such a fun avenue for the families to take part in. But once they sold the one house they flipped, that was the end of it. Their business partnership in house flipping was no longer a thing.
Where Did Andre Go?
In season three, Phil was building a treehouse when he accidentally met his neighbor Andre. Phil has always said he's a pillar in the community and well-respected but he had no idea Andre had been his neighbor for the past eight years. How!?
The two became pretty close but they slowly stopped hanging out. Andre didn't seem to be apart of Phil's life anymore and it's confusing as to why the show even added him in the first place if they were going to give him the ax without so much as a reason.
Jay Didn't Care When Claire Quit His Life-Long Business?!
Jay treated Pritchett's Closets & Blinds like it was his child. He built a successful company from the ground up and loved every minute of it. He truly loved closets. When it was time to retire, he happily gave the company to Claire when she was ready to run it. But by season 11, Claire realized closets weren't her passion and that she hated her job.
As the owner of the company–and the daughter of the former owner—it was shocking that Claire quit the business like it was no big deal; as if Pritchett's Closets & Blinds was just "some" company. This was a huge decision that was totally looked over.