<P> James Poniewozik of Time stated "With the arrival of Mom (Shelley Long) providing the excuse (of Claire and Mitchell acting as brother and sister), this episode added some layers to their family dynamic (though we had already heard that Claire had been a rebellious daughter)." </P> <P> Many critics have praised the casting of Shelley Long as DeDe . Michael Slezak said "The casting of Shelley Long as Jay's passive - aggressive (except when violently aggressive) yet sexually reactivated ex-wife was a stroke of genius ." Robert Canning said "Long was a great choice for this sweet but aggravating character that could be as free - spirited as she was mean .". </P>

What happened to the mom in modern family