It’s the Final Countdown

As I’ve maybe briefly mentioned once or twice, I’m kind of a tiny bit excited about the release of Arrested Development Season 4 in 4 DAYS (!!!). To celebrate the momentous occasion, I wanted to take the time to revisit 5 of my favorite episodes from the first 3 seasons. Everyone wearing their cut-offs? Great, let’s get to this.

Season 1:

Episode: 
Pier Pressure
Synopsis: 
Michael suspects that George Michael has been smoking marijuana, so he enlists the help of a one-armed man to teach his son a lesson.
Quotable: 
Michael: Your Uncle Gob seems to think that he saw you down at the docks today. Was that you?
George Michael: No. No. Maybe it was the other George Michael. You know, the singer-songwriter.
Michael: Yeah, that makes sense.
Why I love it: J. Walter Weatherman is always fantastic.

Season 2:

Episode: 
Good Grief
Synopsis: 
George Sr is declared dead in Mexico, so the family holds a wake for him. Poor George Michael gets dumped by Ann (her?).
Quotable:
George Michael: That’s my ex-girlfriend, Ann. Her face will be forever etched in my mind.
George Sr.: Her?
George Michael: She’s really funny.
George Sr.: Well, let’s hope so.
Why I love it: Gob’s magic show at the wake, Buster’s uniform, George Michael’s Charlie Brown walk (below).
Episode: The Immaculate Election
Synopsis: At his girlfriend’s suggestion, George Michael decides to run for class president. He soon finds out that it won’t be easy running against his rival, Steve Holt.
Quotable: 
Gob: What’s this? A stuffy office meeting? Perhaps it’s time for some Office Magic.
Ron Michaelson: But what’s Office Magic?
Gob: Sometimes it’s as simple as turning 10:30 in the morning into… lunch time!
Ron Michaelson: Why does lunch have to be so dull?
Gob: Perhaps you’d like some chicken!
[he rips open a bag and a dead dove flies out]
Gob: Cut!
Why I love it: The campaign videos, Gob’s Office Magic video, the revelation about Steve Holt’s father, and most of all Mrs. Featherbottom.

Season 3:
Episode: S.O.B.s (Save Our Bluths)
Synopsis: George Sr suggests holding a fundraiser as a final effort to save the family and raising money for their legal fees.
Quotable:
Michael: So, what’s going on with the fundraiser?
George Sr.: Well, I don’t think the Home Builders Organization is gonna be supporting us.
Michael: Yeah, the HBO’s not gonna want us. What do we do now?
George Sr.: Well, I think it’s “Show Time.” I think we have to have a show during dinner.
Why I love it: The constant references to what was happening to the show in real life, all of the over-the-top gimmicks like a 3D scene, the death of a character, and a live portion of the show. Also, Hot ham water.

Episode: Fakin’ It
Synopsis: The family participates in a mock trial hosted by Judge Reinhold in order to prepare for their upcoming deposition.
Quotable:
Franklin Bluth: My name is Judge.
Gob: Whose name is Judge?
Franklin Bluth: My name is…
Gob: That’s a silly name!
Franklin Bluth: -Judge. My name…
Gob: Yes I am judging your name. It am silly!
Franklin Bluth: is…
Gob: Oh, now you’re correcting my grammar?
Why I love it: Judge Reinhold, William Hung’s theme song, Franklin, Franklin, and more Franklin.

“It aint easy being white. It aint easy being brown.”

There you have it. 

Fellow AD addicts fans, what are your favorite episodes?

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