The Dunphys finish a vacation in New York City, but both adults and children lie to each other to secretly stay in New York a few more days. Meanwhile, Jay and Gloria go to a funeral in Juarez and run afoul of Gloria's sister Sonia.
The Modern Family episode "A Tale of Three Cities" contains examples of:
- Bad Liar: Both Phil and Luke sneak in unnecessary details in their cover stories,
- Luke: (on the phone) I'm just painting the mailbox!Alex: Great, now we have to paint the mailbox before they get home.
- The Immodest Orgasm: The Dunphy kids complain about the couple next door keeping them up with their loud sex, unaware they're overhearing their own parents.
- Incest-ant Admirer: Continuing the trend, Manny is attracted to his aunt Sonia when she kidnaps him. She reacts appropriately.
- Missed Him by That Much: The Dunphy kids and parents spend the episode missing each other in the hotel, at Battery Park, and at their own home.
- Offscreen Breakup: Despite the previous episode implying that they'll stay together (albeit long-distance), Haley's first line in this episode is lamenting that her and Andy have broken up.
