Arrested Development Revised

The Bluths have got it. An as the pilot episode begins it sets us in Orange County California. Michael Bluth is standing near the railing of the boat looking out at a vast ocean smiling. Elevator music with a beach hippy feel plays in the background and the executive producer Ron Howard acts as narrator. Everything looks good on the surface. Money’s no object an as long as they can remember it has been more than enough to feed their lavish needs. It being embezzled money.

Michael Bluth, played by Jason Bateman, on the other hand disagrees with the families, “to good to be true finances.” He’s the nice guy that’s been a loyal worker in his father’s company for more than ten years. Michael’s also a loving father to his young son George-Michael Bluth (Michael Cera) and the attic resident of his father George Bluth Sr.’s (Jeffrey Tambor) model home, which as bizarre as it may sound, still functions as the companies’ selling tool. But as Michael sees it, everything up till now has been worth it, even the infamous banana stand. Because what Michael wants most is the promotion. Who else could be more qualified? Gob? Buster? Lucille?

George "Gob" Bluth II (Will Arnett) is the oldest brother. Gob pronounced, “Job,” is a part-time magician. Tony Hale plays Byron "Buster" Bluth. He’s the youngest / graduate student who’s frequently seen trying to give his family back massages. And Lucille is the family’s resident head case. “Charge it,” is her middle name.

At the boat party more qualified family members pop up and engage in conversation with Michael. All the while the narrator introduces Micheals’ family members giving their occupation. However, Ron hints at more than the usual name and label most folks are use to. Given that connotation the narrator not only hands us these small side notes about the actors and actresses in character but the players themselves throw bold curve balls.

Lucille Bluth is one in particular. Played by Jessica Walter, Lucille comes out of left field with the comment, “Look what the homosexuals have done to me.” Very risky but strangely enough it’s given a slick comeback, played off by Michael, “You can’t just comb that out and reset it?” Sarcastic and wacky mellow dramatic lines like that are prominent in this show. And where Arrested Development succeeds other comedic sitcoms seriously flatline. Because there’s always the cliché slapstick comedy or those moments of awkward silence that we all know too well. But to hear the actors/ actresses to poke fun at the norm in a way that unravels our way of thinking is worth watching. Areas of society that are in most cases off limits and can become offensive make for peculiar yet interesting topics.

Take Lindsay Bluth Fünke (Portia de Rossi) Michaels’ twin sister and activist. She’s definetly the socialite Lucille’s daughter and is by no means short when it comes to words. “It’s a Doberman let it have its ears,” is one of her just being frank quotes. Her voice is raspy with a hint of old Hollywood. She’s married to Tobias Fünke (David Cross) whose presented as questionable and is no doubt made fun of. Their daughter is rebel Mae "Maeby" Fünke (Alia Shawkat) and in a bizarre chain of events is impossibly the love interest of George-Michael Bluth, maybe.

The Bluth family indeed plays their role, leaving little to the imagination. Unfortunately poor circumstance ensues. Papa Bluths been digging a little too deep in the cookie jar and now due to his father’s sudden arrest, Michael must lead the family that he wants no part of. This swift change of events in the Pilot episode also leaves Micheal Bluth’s dream of succeeding his father, just that, a dream. His world seems to crumble at the announcement of his mother’s name. The scene was like that of someone who’d prepared an Oscar acceptance speech and didn’t touch the stage. The tough plow didn't end there as their boat was raided. The father was taken into custody for swindling money from the company. It’s up to Michael to pull the family together should he accept.

In the coming episode," Top Banana" Michael is literally thrown into this massive responsibility. The family’s practically broke and they’re all living under one roof. Tobias is job hunting but Lindsay actually books the jobs. Young George-Michael is promoted to Mr. Manager and he’s keeping his teenage urges at bay, with his cousin Maeby as his employee. George Bluth Sr. is working the family from behind bars like a mob boss. His wife Lucille is definitely his right hand.

Finishing The second episode not only did it branch out on other characters but it continued to keep the focus. There were times when it jumped around, but as the episode progressed you could see how everything connected in the end. Because the angles that were given weren’t solely Michael Bluths (even though he's a big part), we saw other relatives.

Arrested Development is witty and foreign to the reality tv show arena. It’s funny, realistic and enjoyable. I predict more changes in the characters demeanor and growing closeness of a family due to circumstance. Michael may even discover that no one’s ultimately in control and that even if failure awaits him, he still has his dysfunctional family to hold onto.