The Arrested Development Thread

[thegut]

Re: The Arrested Development Thread

I'm not enjoying the focus on just one or two characters at a time. I have always found the families interactions with each other the funniest thing about this show but it's missing this season.

Spoiler

I'm 11 episodes in and Buster and Maeby are almost non existent so far.

The episodes have gotten progressively better and they are still some good laughs but I feel they missed the boat on character interactions.

[BenGerman]

Re: The Arrested Development Thread

I'm not enjoying the focus on just one or two characters at a time. I have always found the families interactions with each other the funniest thing about this show but it's missing this season.

Spoiler

I'm 11 episodes in and Buster and Maeby are almost non existent so far.

The episodes have gotten progressively better and they are still some good laughs but I feel they missed the boat on character interactions.

This is the one critique of this season I've really been able to understand. I've heard things like "it's deviating too far from the typical sitcom" and that there is no story -- which in turn, causes a lack of structure.

To be honest, especially some of the AV Club guys I follow on Twitter who have argued both of those points, if you don't see the frantic connecting of the dots as enough of a narrative structure to keep you interested, you had your expectations set way too high. This wasn't going to be Arrested Development in the same way we know it, and if it tried to be, people would have damned it for that too. It's a pick your poison for Hurwitz and the gang, and it's frustrating to see the criticism being geared toward them taking chances.

I'm not arguing the show has been perfect (I'd say it's either the worst of the four seasons, or right in front of S3), but it's still as good of television I've seen all year.

Edit: I don't want to self-advertise (seeing as I don't make any money off of it anyway), but I did post thoughts and grades of episodes 1-7 of the fourth season on my website. I've been scouring the internet for some substantial thoughts, and haven't really been able to find anything.

[gopher_guy]

Re: The Arrested Development Thread

This is the one critique of this season I've really been able to understand. I've heard things like "it's deviating too far from the typical sitcom" and that there is no story -- which in turn, causes a lack of structure.

To be honest, especially some of the AV Club guys I follow on Twitter who have argued both of those points, if you don't see the frantic connecting of the dots as enough of a narrative structure to keep you interested, you had your expectations set way too high. This wasn't going to be Arrested Development in the same way we know it, and if it tried to be, people would have damned it for that too. It's a pick your poison for Hurwitz and the gang, and it's frustrating to see the criticism being geared toward them taking chances.

I'm not arguing the show has been perfect (I'd say it's either the worst of the four seasons, or right in front of S3), but it's still as good of television I've seen all year.

Edit: I don't want to self-advertise (seeing as I don't make any money off of it anyway), but I did post thoughts and grades of episodes 1-7 of the fourth season on my website. I've been scouring the internet for some substantial thoughts, and haven't really been able to find anything.

Just read your ep. 1 recap; well written, captured most of my thoughts!

I agree that

Spoiler

the whole tipping African Americans bit was hilarious

Can't wait to watch ep 2 and the rest!!

[rsnomar05]

Re: The Arrested Development Thread

My take is that there are a few episodes that are among the best in the series run, and probably the funniest episodes of any sitcom I've watched this year, while others were weaker and maybe even mediocre. But I think because the episodes don't focus on the entire cast, and instead one or two characters at a time, enjoyment is largely going to be based on which characters one prefers over the others. For example, if you're not a huge George Sr. fan, you won't like episode two or six as much as the others.

The show is still extremely funny, and is at its best in the second half of the season. Is it perfect? No, but Arrested Development is one of my favorite comedies ever, and season 4 did not change that.

[BenGerman]

Re: The Arrested Development Thread

Just read your ep. 1 recap; well written, captured most of my thoughts!

I agree that

Spoiler

the whole tipping African Americans bit was hilarious

Can't wait to watch ep 2 and the rest!!

Hey Gopher, thanks for reading. There have been some really big laughs from what I've seen, and that was one of them.

[trobinson97]

Re: The Arrested Development Thread

Well, I've finished the season. It wasn't all good, it wasn't all bad.

The characters are all still funny. The writing is still funny and clever and the new running gags were great (Get away Getaway) and so were the nods to previous season gags (Beans? Bees!). There are a lot of genuine laugh-out-loud moments and overall I enjoyed the season a lot. I can already see myself going back to re-watch specific episodes (Gob's "Getaway" and maybe Maeby's episodes are probably my favorites right now) and scenes. The cameos were all great as well, and there were many of them. I missed the Bluths and I enjoyed catching up with them, or rather, them catching up with us.

That said, at times it was kind of like watching old Michael Jackson in concert. Not old Michael Jackson as in 1977-87 when he was in his prime, but old, 40-50 year old, plastic surgery ravaged MJ who was still good for his age but just didn't have that same oomph because of the side show of what his life was.

I understand that years removed from the last episode of season 3, all these actors have moved on and had other priorities. They didn't shoot this on your regular network shooting schedule where you had the whole (or most) cast together in one place for a prolonged period of time. That's why they had to shoot character specific episodes and it's what's missing from this season's shows. Though the writing and acting was still top notch, it was missing that interaction between the cast that the other seasons had, that checking in of each character throughout the course of an episode, having three or more of them in the same scene even.

Spoiler

I was hoping the finale would have the all together as a payoff, but unfortunately, it did not.

Seeing all those body doubles and green screen scenes became distracting and a little sad after a while, just like watching old MJ perform but focusing on how much he physically changed. It kind of got to the point at times where I was more trying to figure out if the actors were in the same room at the same time or not instead of just enjoying the show.

The negatives aside, there was still a lot of funny left in the show and it actually got funnier as the season progressed. I appreciate them taking the time to give this little "thank you" to the fans. I do think I would have preferred a movie with all(or most of) the characters on set at the same time and character interactions that we saw in the first 3 seasons though. I'm not going to hold my breath on it but that would still be great if it happens.

[kingkilla56]

Re: The Arrested Development Thread

Portia looks incredibly different than when I see her in appearances in other media.

[Sandman42]

Re: The Arrested Development Thread

Got through the first 5 so far, stopping after the Tobias episode. The final scene in that had me rolling.

Spoiler

I'm here to see my little girl. I wanted to show her daddy's thing."

The ANUSTART license plate is amazing too.

[p_rushing]

Re: The Arrested Development Thread

finished it

Wish the season was linear instead of the per person episodes. The ending was terrible, no real conclusion, just ended. Overall it was good and bad.

[AUChase]

Re: The Arrested Development Thread

The GOB episodes may be the funniest. I'm partial to the character, though.

Also like some of the random supporting characters. Wasn't hard to notice John Ralphio from Parks and Rec.

[CMH]

I have seen three episodes.

Though I love AD, I very rarely laugh out loud while watching. There are usually one or two gags that get me but the rest always gets a hard chuckle out of me.

AD makes me laugh after the fact when I talk about it or think about scenes.

More of the same right now. I'm watching. Taking it all in. I know I will be laughing at moments when I reflect.

Not to say I'm bored. I love the interactions and writing.


Sent from my mobile device.

[gopher_guy]

Re: The Arrested Development Thread

My sister won't let me watch any of the episodes without her; today she comes home from school, tells me she has to work. Grrr... Lol.

But, the fact that my 16 year old sister loves hockey and Arrested Development makes me feel like I've succeeded as a big brother.

[JohnnytheSkin]

Re: The Arrested Development Thread

My sister won't let me watch any of the episodes without her; today she comes home from school, tells me she has to work. Grrr... Lol.

But, the fact that my 16 year old sister loves hockey and Arrested Development makes me feel like I've succeeded as a big brother.

I know what you mean. My sole tie to my biological family is my youngest sister who likes Arrested...that's really the only communication we have. It's pretty cool.

[AUChase]

Re: The Arrested Development Thread

Watch it anyways..

[goh]

Re: The Arrested Development Thread

I'm still going through but these guys are so great with word play.

Spoiler

Gob being the actual gay one instead of Tobais was pretty clever. I remembered that bit with the unwanted wife and they could get a divorice easily because he didn't sleep with her. Anyone else think of other hints from before?