Without knowing it, you must have already come across a GIF, a punchline or a sequence of Arrested Development.The show celebrates its 15th anniversary this year. But if the series is no longer very young, it has not taken a wrinkle! On the contrary, it even improves with time and viewings. Officially elevated to the rank of cult series by a large majority of critics across the Atlantic, the sitcom is preparing its comeback on Netflix. Focus on an eccentric series that has become a reference in the field.
Welcome to the Bluths! It is "the story of a rich family that lost everything, and a son who had no choice but to bring them all together." Here is the little intro sentence that can be heard at the beginning of each episode of Arrested Development (which could be translated as "New Poor"). But rest assured, no drama here, we are in full comic register. The bankruptcy of the Bluth Company and the arrest of the head of the family for embezzlement serve as a starting point to focus on this dysfunctional family.
Because all the members of the Bluth clan accumulate a staggering number of flaws, each more ridiculous than the last. Self-centered, stingy, cowardly, alcoholic, stupid, neurotic to the core… The Bluths are far from being models of conduct. Their repeated bad decisions lead to their own doom. Fortunately, in the middle of it all, there is Michael Bluth, the almost holy brother of spirit who tries somehow to save the furniture.
This review focuses only on the first three seasons, which retain a certain consistency. The sequel, anchored in a different logic, will be the subject of a new article. So let's now focus on what made Arrested Development undeniably successful.
Arrested Development : genius in stupidity
Like any production of the cultural industry, Arrested Development has its fans and detractors. However, one would have to be damn blind or in bad faith not to recognize the genius behind in this series. And if you have the misfortune (or happiness, it's all a matter of point of view after all) to hang on, expect to become seriously addicted.
However, you have to give the sitcom a chance and reach the third or fourth episode before you really understand what is happening. Because Arrested Development, with its politically incorrect humor and frantic pace, can surprise at first. It is only once we have decoded the mechanics of the series that we begin to really appreciate it. And that's the intelligence of the show.
Unlike many American sitcoms, Arrested Development doesn't take its viewers for three-week-old bunnies. Here, no pre-recorded laughter, no long breaks after a joke. These techniques have proven their effectiveness but have had their day. Here, we laugh when we want, and above all, when we understand.
Because the series is stuffed with rotten puns. Sometimes in such a subtle way that we miss it. Sometimes so huge that you wonder how the writers dared. In fact, Arrested Development is this endearing friend who makes you laugh so much his jokes suck. For example, we can cite the stupid names of some characters, such as cousin Maeby (pronounced like "maybe" in English). Or that lawyer named Bob Loblaw. The writers do not hesitate to push the delirium to its climax: Bob runs a blog (Bob Loblaw's blog) and Maeby has an alter ego in a wheelchair, Surely ("surely", in English). Tip: watch the series in VOSTFR if you want to grasp all the subtlety of the puns. It would be a shame to miss the now cult "I just blue myself".
Moreover, if you are the type to guess the end before the denouement of the plot, you will be surprised on this one. The characters are so barred that we reach a level of nonsense absolutely unimaginable. The many twists are usually unpredictable. So much so that you get used to it. So much so that it may take you some time before you notice that the trailers for subsequent episodes are made-up scenes that will never happen. We'd never seen that. Pure genius.
A frantic pace
Arrested Development has no time to lose. It's as if we gave the creators of the series a 20-minute slot and they tried to insert as many jokes as possible. We take what we can, sometimes we zap some. It's the game. The starting point of the series. And we get used to it very quickly. It does not bother in any way since the plot of the episode, it remains in general very simple.
Everything is raised by the voice-over of the narrator (Ron Howard). Because of his omniscient character, he does not hesitate to give us his little sarcastic comment on each of the characters. An originality that adds consistency to the story, while pointing out the contradictions of the different protagonists.
Rigor in the details
The frantic pace of the series also makes it possible to place without moderation stupid references, trivial jokes and details in the background. Behind every phrase, every image, every music, hides yet another joke. It's endless.
The series is full of small details all more stupid than the others. So much so that the writers have inserted jokes about what will happen much later. A bit like clues. Without spoiler, watch the number of hands in different shapes that you will see, symbol of an important twist that will only occur in season 2 …
Arrested Development therefore has the ability to chain subtle details through its episodes. We can then have fun, and without boredom, to rewatch the entire series to discover new gags. There are so many puns, punchlines, details in the setting, that with each viewing, we are surprised to catch new jokes. We tell you, it's endless. And we never get tired of it.
The most repetitive jokes are the best
Since behind every second hides a comic element, we might as well reuse them. This is the trademark of Arrested Development: running gags.
The series develops recurring themes and pushes them to excess. There is Oscar, the innocent twin who is systematically mistaken for his brother and mistakenly brought to prison. There are GOB's messy magic tricks. Ann's disturbing invisibility. The repressed homosexuality of Tobaïas. The constant rivalry between Lucille and Lucille 2 (yes, they placed two characters with the same name and differentiate them through a number). It's all running gag. Fundamentally well constructed, the series handles this art with extreme agility.
That is not all. The writers, obviously very inspired, also play with the music. Every recurring joke has its little jingle or melody. This is the case for Mister F, the mystery around the paternity of Buster and the magic tricks always punctuated by the Final Countdown. These clues are usually hyper cheap, which has the effect of reinforcing the comic of the situation. To die of laughter.
Quality distribution
Most of the time, when we watch a series, there is often a character who stands out from the others to become our little darling. This is the case of Barney Stinson in How I Met Your Mother, Suzanne in Orange Is The New Black or Abed in Community. Here, all the characters contribute to the catastrophic collapse of the Bluths. All of them show a complete lack of morality, even Michael, the so-called savior. Unable to choose a favorite. Or they change over the episodes.
Above all, the roles are all incredibly well interpreted by a bluffing cast. Moreover, the series calls on a lot of quality guests . Ben Stiller, Charlize Theron, Liza Minnelli, Julia Louis-Dreyfus…
Here is a little tour de table in the presence of the hilarious Bluth family:
So we start with George Bluth. Patriarch at the head of a financial empire. Unfaithful, crook, cowardly. Spends his time between prison and flight. Always scheming. Even with unsavory people. Looks like a guru in his spare time.
Lucille Bluth, loving mother when it suits her.Eternal alcoholic with easy repartee. Afraid of being alone.
GOB Bluth, the eldest. Failed magician, sickly jealous of his younger brother, he has the characteristic of moving only in segway.
Michael Bluth, the misunderstood savior. The only member of the family who tries to get the family business back on its feet without embezzling funds. A widower, he deeply cherishes his son and makes terrible choices in his love life. Believes he has a predisposition to make a good lawyer after playing the role of Peter Pan in a primary school play.
George Michael. Named after his father and grandfather. Nothing to do with the interpreter of Last Christmas. Has romantic feelings for his cousin. Very uncomfortable in society.
Lindsay Fünke, Michael's twin sister. Only likes what she can't have. Spend money she doesn't have. Organizes charities where she sings to sell psychotropic drugs when money runs out.
Tobaias Fünke, Lindsay's husband and former psychologist. Only person to possess a fault during the collapse of the Bluth empire. However, he decided to devote himself to an acting career. Has serious couple problems, especially due to an orphan pathology related to wearing denim shorts.
Maebe Fünke, daughter of Lindsay and Tobaias. Child totally abandoned. Runs after his family's attention. Intends to do well despite a chaotic family environment.
Byron Bluth, known as "Buster", the last child of the Bluth siblings. Behaves like a child from the top of his 32 years. Has trouble cutting the cord with his mother.
In short, Arrested Development is a joke machine gun full of surprises and twists. Held by a quality cast, the series shows breathtaking inventiveness. Mistress of running gag, she creates a special bond with the viewer to create the illusion that they share inside jokes together. It improves over time by dint of viewings, like a good whisky. To consume without moderation.
