Modern Family - Jay hits Phil with a plane

Summary

In this humorous and reflective exchange, two friends, Jay and the speaker, navigate their unique friendship. Despite Jay's aloof nature, including a tendency to avoid talking and hugging, the bond between them is clear. The conversation touches on past experiences, including an accidental foot injury and Jay’s protective instincts. The speaker also shares their love for aviation, with moments of playful experimentation using a remote-controlled plane. Through light-hearted banter, they explore their history, dreams, and playful challenges, underscoring the depth of their friendship despite its complexities.

Takeaways

• 😀 The relationship between the speaker and Jay is described as a close friendship but with emotional distance; Jay is not particularly expressive or affectionate.
• 😀 The speaker reflects on a past incident where Jay accidentally ran over their foot, but notes that Jay had recently quit smoking, adding context to the situation.
• 😀 The speaker compares their dynamic with Jay to a primal struggle between a dominant 'silverback' and a younger, more aggressive rival, suggesting tension and competition.
• 😀 The speaker conveys that they are not the enemy in this dynamic, with the real threat being external 'poachers'—possibly referring to life circumstances or external forces causing disruptions.
• 😀 The speaker offers a moment of physical discomfort, instructing Jay to hold something while they adjust another object, which highlights their close but non-verbal communication style.
• 😀 There’s a discussion about flying planes, with the speaker expressing a lifelong interest in aviation and the idea that they might have pursued it under different life circumstances.
• 😀 The speaker and Jay engage in a playful exchange about flying a plane, with the speaker asking if Jay can perform stunts like a loop-de-loop, showcasing their lighthearted relationship.
• 😀 The speaker shares a personal memory from their childhood, reflecting on a time when they used to perform an aerial trick called 'threading the needle' with two friends, CLA and Mitch.
• 😀 There’s a sense of nostalgia as the speaker reminisces about past experiences, including a summer activity that they enjoyed with friends and the calmness of flying a plane.
• 😀 The speaker and Jay engage in a fun but challenging exercise, attempting to fly the plane through hoops in a field, which symbolizes a mix of friendship, challenge, and playfulness in their relationship.

Q & A

How does the speaker describe their relationship with Jay?

The speaker describes their relationship with Jay as being close, but with an invisible asterisk. They mention that Jay is not a talker or a hugger, but they are still good friends despite some awkward moments, such as when Jay accidentally ran over their foot.

What metaphor does the speaker use to describe their dynamic with Jay?

The speaker uses the metaphor of gorillas to describe their dynamic, where Jay is like the older silverback gorilla protecting his 'females,' and the speaker represents the younger, stronger gorilla that comes in, competing for attention.

What is the speaker's opinion on Jay's protective behavior?

The speaker suggests that Jay’s protective behavior is natural, comparing him to a father figure who is trying to prevent 'poachers' (a metaphor for external threats or competition), but ultimately, he cannot stop it because that’s just the way life is.

What incident does the speaker mention involving Jay?

The speaker recalls an incident where Jay accidentally ran over their foot with his car. However, they explain that Jay had just given up smoking at the time, implying that the incident was an accident.

How does the speaker feel about flying planes?

The speaker expresses a long-standing love for planes and shares that if their life had taken a different direction, they could have been a pilot.

What trick does the speaker mention from their past involving a plane?

The speaker mentions a trick called 'threading the needle,' which they used to do with their friends CLA and Mitch when they were kids. It involves flying a plane through a hoop.

What is the speaker's reaction when they try flying the plane?

The speaker expresses enjoyment and peace while flying the plane, saying it feels as though the whole world disappears when they are in the air.

What does the speaker suggest about the distance for the 'threading the needle' trick?

The speaker explains that the distance for the trick requires standing at the far end of the field with a hoop, and the plane has to fly through it. They emphasize that the distance can't be too far.

Does the speaker allow the other person to fly the plane?

No, the speaker refuses to let the other person fly the plane, despite their enthusiasm. The speaker keeps control of the plane during the entire interaction.

What is the overall mood of the scene described in the script?

The mood of the scene is calm and peaceful, with the characters enjoying a relaxing moment while flying a plane. There's also a sense of nostalgia, particularly when the speaker recalls their childhood memories of flying and performing tricks.