Arrested Development

The Bluths have got it. It being embezzled money. Which as of lately has been more than enough to feed their lavish needs. Michael Bluth, played by Jason Bateman, on the other hand is discordant and seemingly looks to be the all around good guy, which just so happens to be the case. Micheal’s been a loyal worker in his fathers company for more than ten years. He’s 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 that still functions as the companies’ selling tool. He wants the promotion, who else could be more qualified? Poor circumstance ensues, papa Bluths been digging a little to deep in the cookie jar and now due to his fathers sudden arrested, Micheal must lead the family that he wants no part of…

As the pilot episode begins it sets us in Orange county California and 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. Family members seem to either pop up and engage in conversation with Michael or he finds them, and as we soon learn having his own secret agenda in mind. All the while the narrator introduces Micheals’ family including their corresponding occupation. However, Ron hints at more than the usual name an 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 curb 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 oddly enough it’s given a slick comeback played off by Michael, “You can’t just comb that out and reset it?” Sarcastic and out there mellow dramatic lines that you don’t normally hear poke fun at the norm, areas of society that are in most cases off limits become they can become offensive to different groups. The mother /socialite isn’t short when it comes to words and neither is her daughter Lindsay Bluth Fünke (Portia de Rossi) Michaels’ twin sister and activist. 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 bizarre very impossible love interest for George-Michael Bluth, maybe.

The oldest is George "Gob" Bluth II (Will Arnett). His laughs although not trying to be funny, are more serious and straight forward. Gob pronounced, “Job,” is a part-time magician. Tony Hale plays Byron "Buster" Bluth. He’s the youngest / graduate student whose frequently seen trying to give his family back massages.

The Bluth family indeed play their role, leaving little to the imagination. Thus character study is leaked rather than a guessing game. In a swift change of events Micheal Bluth’s dream of succeeding his father ends at the announcing of his mothers name. The scene was like that of someone who’d prepared a 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. Its up to Michael to pull the family together should he accept.

In the coming episode," Top Banana" Michael is literally thrown into this massage responsibility. But he soon learns that even if failure awaits he still has his dysfunctional family to hold onto. Another thing that I discovered with this second episode was that it not only branch out to other characters but it continued to keep the focus given the weird plot. There were times when it jumped around, but as the episode progressed you could see how everything was being pulled together. Because the angle that were given are not solely Michael Bluths (even though he's a big part) but that of other relatives. I predict more changes in the characters demeanor and growing closeness of a family due to circumstance. Arrested development is witty and foreign to the reality tv show arena. But Its funny and realistic and enjoyable.