Mitchell Pritchett is just part of what made Modern Family phenomenal over 11 seasons. Unlike Cam, Claire, Phil, Gloria, and Jay, Mitchell was high-strung and timid. He was sensitive and caring in ways that his family members weren’t. Now that the ABC sitcom is over, fans who are rewatching the series can’t help but notice some of the more sad moments that contribute to Mitchell’s anxieties.
While he and his husband Cam have a lot in common, they’re also incredibly different. Mitchell holds a lot back due to fear and finds himself tangled in his own web of lies to avoid discomfort. By the end of the series, Mitchell was brave enough to move on to a new adventure with his family but there will always be sad aspects to his character.
10 Jay Didn’t Accept His Identity For Years
When Cam and Mitchell first got together, it was a different time in history. Gay marriage wasn’t legal yet and Mitch’s father wasn’t necessarily comfortable with his son being queer.
Because of Jay’s judgmental views and cold personality, Mitchell stayed in the closet for years and dated women to cover his tracks. Mitch eventually had the courage to live his best life and speak his truth, regardless of what his father felt. And while Jay comes around by the final season, he wasn’t always that warm to Mitch’s identity.
9 His Sister Was Also His Bully
In season 9’s “Lake Life,” the entire clan headed to the lake where Mitch and Claire spent their summers growing up. It was a special place for the Pritchetts. But when Mitchell runs into an old friend from his summer camp days, it brings back a lot of harsh memories. While talking about old times, his friend brings up the mean “bully” named Claire who used to make fun of Mitchell.
What this man didn’t know was that Claire was more than a bully — she was Mitch’s sister. It was then that viewers realized how horrible Claire had been to Mitchell over the years. Their contrasting personalities led Claire to bulldoze over Mitchell for years.
8 He Was Always Second Best
When DeDe came into the picture, it became painfully obvious that Claire was a daddy’s girl and that Mitchell was a mama’s boy. Claire was dry and cold like her dad while Mitchell was sensitive like his mom. Sadly, there was more to the story.
With DeDe in and out of their lives so much, Jay and Claire reminded Mitchell that his mom uses him to do her dirty work. She knows that Mitchell will do what he’s told and break the ice for her. This oftentimes makes life hard for Mitchell and creates a drama that he shouldn’t have to deal with.
7 His Family Didn’t Recognize Him As A Real Lawyer
The show doesn’t always credit Mitchell with how brilliant he really is. His anxiety and shyness often get in the way of his accomplishments. Mitchell attended Cornell University before going to Columbia for his law degree. He was at the top of his class and went on to have some pretty sensational cases in different firms around California.
However, due to Mitchell’s area of study being environmental law, his family (i.e. Jay and Claire) doesn’t always take him seriously — even though he has two impressive degrees! When Haley gets arrested, Jay questions why Mitchell was the one going to bail her out because he isn’t a “real lawyer.” Considering Mitchell passed the California State Bar, he is in fact a real lawyer.
6 His Friends Side With Cameron
With Jay and Claire being so callous to Mitchell, at least he has a strong group of friends to fall back on, right? Wrong.
As amazing as Mitchell’s friends are, they thrive on theatrics and go where the drama goes. Mitchell learned this the hard way when Cam faked a break up with him to see who his friends would support if that were ever to happen. Mitchell eventually found out his friends would have chosen Cam because he was needier, but that didn’t make it any easier.
5 The Pressure Of Being A Breadwinner
When Lily was a baby, Cameron decided to be a homemaker and take care of her while Mitchell went to work. Mitchell loved being a lawyer and didn’t see himself staying at home all day with a baby. Cameron, on the other hand, did.
Their arrangement works well for a long time until the pressures become too heavy to ignore. Lily gets to an age where she started going to school and Cam doesn’t know what to do with his life. This is a heavy burden on Mitchell and he doesn’t always handle it well due to stress.
4 Stuck Between Cam & Pam
With Cameron living in California with Mitchell and his family, he missed his own family in Missouri. When Cam’s sister Pam came to visit the couple, Mitchell always welcomed her with open arms but that welcome died down as time went on, as Pam repeatedly takes advantage of Mitch and Cam.
She lives in their upstairs unit — rent-free — for a year. The Tucker-Pritchetts rely on that income, but Cameron doesn’t have the heart to kick his sister out. This creates even more tension for Mitchell. Things worsen when Pam goes to jail and leaves her son behind with Mitch and Cam.
3 His Problems With Public Affection
In the second season, Cam, Gloria, and Phil are all bothered by the Pritchetts’ lack of public affection. And as per usual, it all stemmed from their childhood and being raised by Jay. While Jay was always around for his little girl, Claire, he wasn’t the same affectionate dad towards Mitchell. They never said “I love you,” hugged, or kissed. As much as Cam understands Mitch’s reasoning, it’s sometimes hard for him to be with someone who is embarrassed to be affectionate in public.
2 His Relationship With Lily
As hard as it is to admit, Lily had a closer relationship with Cameron while growing up as he was the one at home with her all day. The two created a bond that Mitchell could never replicate because he wasn’t at around as much.
Lily loves both of her dads but when it comes to personal issues, she appears more comfortable going to Cam. This is unspoken throughout the series but by rewatching the episodes, it’s painfully clear that Lily and Mitchell aren’t that close.
1 The Big Move
It was time for Mitchell to pull the trigger and make the move to Missouri by the end of the series. Cameron and Mitchell made their lives in California because that was near Mitch’s family, and by season 11, it’s Cam’s turn. Sadly, this means Mitchell leaving his career, his family, and his comforts. As fair as it was that they were moving, that doesn’t make it any less sad that they’re leaving the place they called home for more than a decade.
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