I loved the chess. That was excellent.

every character has developed really well during the series and there are no weak links at all in the performances including the kids which is rare in a show with such a large cast

casting director deserves huge props

Best new sitcom by a mile and one of my favs overall

I disagree. Luke is quite possibly the worst child actor I've seen on a sitcom in years. Yes, he has had random strokes of genius in the delivery of a few lines over this season, but for the most part I think he's pretty awful. I mean, he's a kid, so I can understand it, but I just don't agree that there are no 'weak links' in the cast.

I distinctly remember thinking the same thing.

Completely agree. He's done a good job a few times, but he usually sticks out like a sore thumb.

He's definitely hit and miss. It seems when his dialog is short and in the middle of quick back and forth with other characters - he's fine... but when his dialog is longer and he's the focus of the scene, he gets worse. The example in this episode would be his telling how he got the iPad by contacting Phil's geek friends. He seems very stiff and enunciate's his words too much - like "computer". It almost seems like he's not breathing properly when he's talking for longer stretches and runs out of breath.

The other kids on this show are great. Alex needs more screen time, her character is smart, sweet and wicked evil at the same time and is played wonderfully by the actress.

Alex: "Buddy, I think the problem is you're not jumping from high enough. You should get on top of the garage"
Claire: "Alex, stop trying to kill your brother"

I still think Phil is the most annoying character on the show, and the most one dimensional. I even hate his voice and delivery, he sounds way too...whiney.

But, when Phil is the weakest character on a show of about 10, you know you have a winner. Manny brings teh funneh, but not too many zingers this week.

I thought he was pretty good at first, but over the course of the season he has definitely proven to be the weak link in the cast. But as for being one of the worst child actors on TV, I have to strongly disagree with you there. I'd say he's just below average. If you want to see some truly awful child actors, watch any episode of The Middle.

me too, Gloria looked amazing and I LOVE Phil, hes my favorite character on the show. and I actually think Luke is very funny. There hasnt been really any range for his character but his lines and what he does is always very funny.

I enjoyed the parts of the episode I saw in between the iPad commercial.

Ooh, I definitely disagree there. I think the 3 kids are absolutely hilarious, especially Eden Sher and Atticus Shaffer.

I wonder...is there any way a show can feature a current product without being accused of selling out? Because as far as plots go, Phil was already a well-established geek (see the home theater episode) and it makes sense that he'd want something like the iPad, especially since it came out on his birthday. I realize that's merely convenient for the writers but it wasn't like the whole episode was about how great the iPad was. People are waiting in line for it, people are excited, and it was a funny plot as Claire screwed it up more and more.

I really don't see what the problem is.

I had troubles with a few things that made it look like an advertisement.

In just over 2 months the writers quickly threw together an episode and had it air 3 days before the launch makes it suspect. They may have had the story already written with a fictitious product and made changes to adapt to the iPad - but I doubt it.

No one in this episode really mocked the product or Phil's desire to have it. Claire questions it quickly asking what's so great about it - but that was only to get Phil's response to advertising it further. That's the closest they come to mocking the product or the fact that people are waiting in line to buy it (although they do refer to Phil's computer friends as geeks).

Then of course they had to show it in operation with Phil blowing out the candles and freaking out about it. It was really obvious when the whole family gathered around it like it's the greatest thing ever made, and Jay seemed to be out of character looking at something that's geeky with interest. And of course one last sales pitch with Phil telling the iPad he loves it to end the show.

Yes, it was essentially a 30 minute commercial with a couple other stories thrown in.

^^ I take it you never saw the episode of Gary Unmarried "sponsored by KFC"...

I definitely didn't see it as an iPad commercial and would have been more annoyed had they tried to create a series universe substitute.

If anything at all, the episode made me think the iPad is a pointless expense that only an uber-geek like Phil would want.

Yeah, definitely less of a commercial and more a justifiable obsession from an established geek. Nobody was freaking out about the Harmony touch screen remote he had a few episodes back and the Dunphy storyline was basically centered around it (though it wasn't mentioned by name as far as I remember). The iPad has a ton of hype going for it, and someone like Phil is exactly the kind of person who drives that hype.

Yeah, I didn't get a "commercial" vibe from it; I don't care about it either, but I can see where Phil (or that "type" of person) would want it ASAP.

I've got to reset my DVR. I miss the beginning ever-so-slightly at the beginning.

So many good lines this week. The following just from the opening:
"What's so special about this do-hickey?"
"Do-hickey, Ellie Mae?"

"I yelled out "Ball 2!". Everybody laughed. That's when I knew I was funny."

"I known ONE Columbian piece you won't be playing with later."

"Boy, if a spider had broken in here, we would've been in trou-uh-ble."

Phil is fantastic. I can see where someone might think his delivery is off, but it fits perfectly with the person Phil is.

Luke is good for what is written for the character. The actor may not be anything special, but I don't think he detracts from what is going on. I do agree with the fact that Alex needs much more time/more lines in the episode.

I hope these DVDs are out ASAP!

And yet ABC will be streaming their shows to the iPad via WiFi...

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/...0d1c7edd935852

I wouldn't have minded a crossover episode with iCarly, where Phil wants an iPear.

Amazing show! I love this show more and more! This episode was brilliant how they incorporated the iPad into it.

And Gloria...what can you say.

IIRC, NBC shows were available via iTunes right around the time they did the Christmas episode of "The Office" where everyone wanted the iPod. I don't remember many complaints.

Again, I really don't care about product placement if it's done naturally (as it was then and as it was here on "Modern Family") and makes sense.

The only part that felt a little commercially was when the family gathered around at the end, but one could justify that by saying that the family was just excited for Phil since he was finally enjoying his birthday.

Such blatent product placement disgusts me. The makers of Chess should be ashamed of themselves. That is one game I will not be buying.

^ This ^

Do you think they would have been allowed to use the iPad if Phil would have told Claire how much he wanted it and her response was "Pfft! Please. The thing has no USB ports, insufficient memory, and is basically just an oversized iPod touch! Phil, quit being such a sheep!"

me too

Brilliant!