As the tenth season kicks off, Jay's slated to be grand marshal in a Fourth of July parade, prompting the Pritchett-Dunphy-Tuckers to set off a few too many fireworks. Phil stumbles into a new career opportunity, while Claire grapples with her potentially changing role in the family. Meanwhile, Gloria obsesses over Manny's relationship and Joe's extracurricular activities. The extended family deals with death, but they also evolve, with more laughs than ever.
The Pritchett-Dunphy-Tucker clan are going to be setting off more than a few fireworks when they get together at the annual Fourth of July parade where Jay will be acting as the grand marshal. Haley’s goodbye with Arvin before his trip to Switzerland doesn’t go as planned when she's distracted by the return of an old flame.
Haley needs a little help deciding whether or not to tell Arvin about her kiss with Dylan and goes to Mitch and Cam for their advice. Gloria suspects Manny’s Canadian girlfriend is made up and wants to find out the real truth.
Phil stumbles into an exciting new career after dropping by Luke’s college. Claire deals with her dad, and the merger of Pritchett’s Closets with a tech-savvy, hipper company. Mitch’s new high-profile case as an assistant district attorney is marred by an unflattering courtroom sketch by the resident artist.
Haley can’t seem to choose between her past and present relationships and is forced to make a decision. Manny returns to college and dorm life while his girlfriend continues to stay at Jay and Gloria’s—and might be overstaying her welcome.
When Phil learns that his real estate class will be cancelled if any additional students drop it, he turns on his powers of charm and flattery to keep one particular student from leaving. Then...Luke asks her out by inviting her over to dinner. Jay may unknowingly be flirting with the mother of Joe’s classmate and tries to set boundaries.
When Cam forgets the words to his favorite country song, he blames Mitch and decides he needs to reconnect with his roots and get a chicken. When Alex is up for a prestigious government job that requires a family interview, it causes everyone to overcompensate and jeopardize her chances. Haley and Dylan think it might be time they grew up a little.
Haley needs a little motherly advice from Claire as she considers her future with Dylan and her career. Jay and Cam’s less than politically correct coaching style earns them a class on sensitivity from Manny and Phil. Mitch runs into Phil’s nemesis at an unlikely place.
Dede’s husband, Jerry comes to town to bequeath her possessions to the family. Mitch and Claire receive a little more of Dede than they really know what to do with. Jay and Gloria feel sorry for Jerry and invite him to stay with them while he is in town.
Hayley wants to give the family a Christmas gift they will never forget if she can just figure out the perfect time. Claire is mad that Phil has once again borrowed the family Christmas tree for a house-showing. Jay, Gloria and Joe have to deal with some unwelcome visitors over the holidays.
Claire and Phil aren’t convinced that Haley and Dylan can make it on their own as they move them into their new apartment before the baby arrives. Meanwhile, Pameron gets out of prison early and has a bone to pick with Mitchell.
Phil and Claire decide to take a cycling tour through Italy before they become grandparents, and Dylan introduces them to his mom who has an interesting past. Meanwhile, Cameron and Mitchell discover some interesting reading material in Lily’s room and decide to confront her about it, while Gloria and Jay discover their respective great uncles may have fought on opposing sides of a war.
While preparing a presentation for his students about their future goals, Cam must also contend with a bully at the school and Jay is having a little technical trouble during his video conference. Meanwhile, the local mall is holding a photo shoot for its new ad campaign and Gloria tricks Phil and Joe into participating.
Phil may have conquered his biggest real estate challenge when he thinks he found Pepper his dream home. Meanwhile, in an attempt to connect with Lily, Mitch and Cam get invited to an exclusive event for her favorite vlogger.
Mitch, Cam and Phil crash Jay’s annual hiking trip to find an elusive bald eagle after Gloria asks them to keep an eye on him. Meanwhile, Gloria, Alex, Claire and Haley get together to plan her baby shower.
Dylan and Luke are really impressed with Bill’s tales of heroism and survival as a firefighter, which make Phil feel emasculated. To impress the guys, he invites them over for a little male-bonding moment that goes terribly wrong.
In an effort to be less negative, Claire is rebranding herself as the girl who says “yes” and inadvertently approves of Luke’s new relationship with someone from his work. Meanwhile, Phil tries to surprise Alex at school right before she receives an award she didn’t tell him about.
Haley and Dylan’s plan to quietly elope before the babies are born doesn’t go as smoothly as they had hoped. Meanwhile, Jay continues to try and get his new business off the ground by courting an Instagram celebrity.
Cam is finally getting a chance to shine when he is asked to preside over the high school graduation ceremony at the last minute, while Jay gives the commencement address. Meanwhile, Claire runs into her former high school rival who brings out the worst in her.