The Unusual Dynamics of Gloria & Jay's Relationship: 8 Mind-Boggling Details That Leave Modern Family Fans in Awe

Summary

The chemistry between Jay and Gloria in

Modern Family

was not as strong as other couples, possibly due to the Jay and Gloria age gap.

Jay and Gloria's differing parenting styles regarding Manny should have added a layer of complexity to their relationship.

Despite Gloria's pride in her Colombian heritage and her yearning for someone in the family to learn Spanish, Jay never made an effort to actually learn the language.

The relationship between Jay and Gloria Pritchett, one of the central couples on Modern Family, has sparked curiosity and raised eyebrows due to factors like their age difference and the mystery surrounding how they met. Modern Family's main focus was to bring the traditional American family model into the modern era by showcasing three couples and their children. While the Dunphys represented the typical nuclear family, the Tucker-Pritchetts, led by gay couple Mitch and Cam, and the Pritchetts, a blended family working through their second marriage, all had connections through Jay Pritchett.

A major question that arose in Modern Family was the story of how Jay and Gloria first crossed paths, given their vastly different backgrounds and the significant age gap between them. Jay already had two adult children when he married Gloria, who had a son from a previous marriage that was roughly the same age as Jay's grandson Luke. Although the couple had their tender moments as they became parents again later in life, there were aspects of their romance that left viewers puzzled.

Gloria & Jay Didn't Have As Much Chemistry As Other Modern Family Couples

Jay & Manny's Relationship Should Have Complicated Their Marraige

Viewers were captivated by the undeniable chemistry between Phil and Claire, as their physical gestures effortlessly portrayed a genuine married couple at ease with one another. However, the dynamic between Gloria and Jay was quite different. It remains unclear whether their frequent disagreements and squabbles stemmed from their significant age difference or other factors. Unlike Phil and Claire, Gloria and Jay seldom shared affectionate moments, with only a few instances of Gloria complimenting Jay. While Gloria and Jay certainly had their moments of believability, their onscreen chemistry simply did not compare to that of Phil and Claire.

The age difference between Jay and Gloria became more evident through their contrasting approaches to raising Manny. Despite this, it was unmistakable that Gloria was fiercely protective of her son, highlighting how Jay's treatment of Manny, particularly in the first season of Modern Family, should have posed a greater challenge to their marriage. During their initial months of marriage, as captured in the documentary, Jay and Gloria struggled to foster a positive relationship between Jay and Manny. Manny often made sly remarks towards Jay and disregarded his authority.

Jay Never Went Through With Learning Spanish

Similarly, Jay uttered a disrespectful comment about Manny ruining his good mood. Given Jay's age, Manny stood in the way of Jay's idyllic future with Gloria. However, upon reflection, it is inconceivable that Gloria would have married someone who harbored animosity towards her beloved son. Manny takes precedence in her life and often gives rise to the most endearing or unsettling moments between Manny and Gloria. Considering this, it begs the question: why would she have married Jay if they did not harbor affection for each other?

In addition to the Jay and Gloria age disparity, their relationship faced significant cultural contrasts. A recurring joke on the show revolves around Gloria struggling to pronounce certain English words due to her Colombian accent. However, Gloria takes immense pride in her Colombian heritage and feels disheartened by the absence of Spanish-speaking family members. This sentiment was intensified by Manny's disinterest in learning and forgetting Spanish, leaving her saddened.

Jay's decision to enroll in Spanish lessons at the conclusion of "Queer Eyes, Full Hearts" was solely to appease Gloria; however, that was the final occasion on which he attempted to communicate in her mother tongue. In a subsequent season, Jay made another attempt at taking Spanish lessons, yet he persisted in exclusively conversing with her in English. Though not his most egregious action, it certainly comes close.

Jay Liked Gloria's Sister First

Adding an extra layer of oddity to Jay and Gloria's age difference, it's been uncovered on Modern Family that Jay was originally attracted to Gloria's younger sister, Sonia. During Joe's christening, Jay regaled the gathering with the tale of how he first encountered Gloria. According to him, he spotted Gloria and Sonia enjoying a meal at a local diner and decided to send Sonia a slice of pie.

Jay & Gloria's First Meeting Is A Modern Family Plot Hole

Nevertheless, when the pie arrived at the table, Sonia had already retreated to the bathroom, causing Gloria to mistakenly assume that Jay had sent it to her. Following a conversation with Gloria, Jay found himself falling for her, and the rest, as they say, is history. However, viewers cannot disregard the fact that Jay's initial attraction was towards Sonia, not Gloria. Additionally, one of the most egregious actions committed by Gloria in Modern Family was robbing her own sister of an opportunity to pursue a life outside of Columbia.

The question still on the minds of viewers long after Modern Family's conclusion is, "how did Jay and Gloria actually meet?". It seems to be a conundrum in the Modern Family storyline. It has been mentioned numerous times that Jay and Gloria met at a diner, engaging in conversation while enjoying a slice of pie which eventually led to them dating. However, in Season 1, Episode 10 titled "Undeck the Halls," Jay informs Mitchell that he met Gloria at a wedding and they bonded over a slice of chocolate cake. This inconsistency is clearly a continuity error as the Sonia vs. Gloria plotline has been revisited multiple times.

Jay & Gloria Have Little In Common

This could be partially attributed to the significant age gap between Jay and Gloria, but it is evident that the Modern Family couple share very few common interests. While they both enjoy poolside relaxation and leisurely lunches, a successful marriage requires more than just these activities, and their shared hobbies are scarce. Gloria is a vivacious woman who delights in dancing, cooking, and attending church. Conversely, Jay finds pleasure in golfing, piloting airplanes, and watching football. Although they seem content in their own home, concerns arose about their relationship following Jay's retirement. They began to ponder what they would talk about and do together since their personalities clashed.

Gloria's Attitude Toward Stella Makes No Sense

Despite the age gap between Jay and Gloria, the biggest source of conflict in their relationship is their dog, Stella. It's puzzling how Stella ended up becoming a part of the Pritchett family, considering that Gloria was the one who brought her into their home and insisted on keeping her. Initially, Jay was strongly opposed to the idea and didn't want the dog around. However, over time, Gloria grew less fond of Stella while Jay's affection for the dog only seemed to grow stronger. It's almost as if the writers forgot that Gloria was once the one who adored Stella and was responsible for bringing her in.

Jay & Gloria Have Different Parenting Techniques

Jay and Gloria's contrasting parenting styles became even more apparent when Joe came into the picture, adding to the already complicated dynamic caused by their age difference. Gloria resented Jay for not being actively involved in the lives of Claire and Mitchell, and she couldn't understand why he couldn't express his love for them. For Joe, she hoped for a different approach.

Regrettably, their disagreements extended to issues such as Joe's vegetable consumption, behavior towards adults, sports etiquette, preferred school choices, and numerous other matters. This prompts viewers to ponder whether their relationship would have flourished had Jay and Gloria been a younger couple on the show "Modern Family."