That tagline really says it all, doesn't it?
Arrested Development is finally making its return on Sunday, May 26th.
Check your local list- wait fuck that noise, you're living in the past, man. Contemporize!
Check your local smartphone, tablet, Xbox 360, PS3, Wii U, Vita, 3DS or toaster to see if you have the Netflix app installed and ready to stream this when it hits. No commercials, no waiting between episodes. The way Arrested Development is meant to be experienced.
What's it about?
According to the (wonderful) narration done by Ron Howard in the series intro, it is "the story of a wealthy family who lost everything and the one son who had no choice but to keep them all together." Now that's a clear-cut situation with a promise of comedy! Tell your friends.
Anyways, let's get to the central players, shall we?
The Main Cast
Michael Bluth
The show's main character. A hard worker at his father's company, the Bluth Company, and the straight man of the series. Believes that family always comes first, although he later switches out "family" for "breakfast." He was at one time happily married to his high school sweetheart Tracy, until she passed away from ovarian cancer, two years prior to the events of the series. He has the (very) odd romantic entanglement here and there, but circumstances surrounding his family always put him in a tough spot, and as a single father, he always wants to do right by his son first and foremost.
George Oscar Bluth, Jr. (Gob)
Michael's older brother. Naturally competitive with Michael, due to their father repeatedly pitting them against each other since childhood, for fun and profit (through selling tapes of their fights in the burgeoning home video market). He's also an active magician looking for the next big illusion to thrust him into the spotlight, and although he technically does achieve a prison escape and making a yacht disappear, the means by which he does so are less-than-mesmerizing. He temporarily serves as President of the Bluth Company (which Michael doesn't have a problem with).
Lindsay Bluth Fünke
Michael's twin sister. Her rebellious spirit as a child manifested in the form of throwing fundraisers for various causes during her adult years, although she often appears to be clueless or apathetic to said causes, even believing one to be a fundraiser to "dry the wetlands." It was also this spirit that moved her to marry her husband, Tobias, although she does appear to harbor some genuine affection for him, and they have raised a child together, Maeby. She can also put her legs behind her head, and has always wanted to make love on a horse.
Buster Bluth
Michael's younger brother. Known as "Baby Buster" in the popular Boyfights series. Due to severe coddling, he is completely dependent on his mother despite being in his early 30s. The show features him slowly breaking out of his shell and doing things he never got the chance to do before, such as pursuing a relationship with someone that isn't his mother, swimming in the ocean and getting punched in the face. He is also learned in 18th-century agrarian business and cartography, the mapping of uncharted territories.
George Michael Bluth
Michael's only child, he shares many of the same personality traits, a hard work ethic being at the forefront. When he's not at school, he's usually found working at the Bluth family's frozen banana stand. Despite knowing it's wrong, he harbors strong feelings for his cousin, Maeby, though he does his best to succeed in a "normal" relationship with the ultra-religious Annabelle Veal. Not to be confused with singer/songwriter George Michael.
Maeby Fünke
Michael's niece. Due to being raised on the east coast, she doesn't know her extended family as well as everyone else does. Upon meeting George Michael, she decides to play a practical joke by kissing him at a party in full view of her mother. The joke doesn't land, but George Michael remains infatuated with her. She's an underachiever, a result of growing up outside of the confines standard schooling, with her parents electing to instead send her to new-age feel-gooderies. She is responsible for the films The Young Man and the Beach, Snowboarding School 2, Gangy, and the critical and commercial flop Love, Indubitably. Her project The Ocean Walker remains tied up in development hell.
Tobias Fünke
Michael's brother-in-law, the world's first analrapist and referred to unaffectionately as "the Glitter Queen" among Hollywood water coolers. After attempting to perform on CPR on a man that just turned out to be sleeping, Tobias loses his medical license, but the universe reveals a path for him and he decides to pursue a career in acting. Equipped with acting skills bestowed upon him by Carl Weathers (Predator, Rocky), he sets out to make his dream a reality. Portrayed his father-in-law, George, in the poorly-narrated series Scandalmakers.
George Oscar Bluth, Sr.
Michael's father, arrested as the series begins for dipping into the kitty, among (numerous) other charges. Founder of the Bluth Company and Bluth's Frozen Bananas. While in prison, he turns to leisurely activities and eventually religion to help lighten the reality of his situation. Has a twin brother, Oscar, and is envious of Oscar's full head of hair, maintaining that if Oscar had ever had any actual stress in his life, he'd be bald too. Has a tendency to hide valuable objects in walls. Loves his honey.
Lucille Bluth
Michael's mother. Comprised almost entirely of alcohol. Allegedly linked to the disappearance of a middle school algebra teacher. Almost unnervingly mean-spirited to most of her family, but especially her daughter, Lindsay. Was featured on Fox's World's Worst Drivers. Due to her pampered lifestyle, it would appear that she has never set foot inside a grocery store, and common food (like curly fries) wreaks havoc on her system.
The Supporting Characters
The following people are just a taste of some of the great supporting cast the show has had. Some of them will be coming back for season four, some will not, some...who knows? There are some spoilers in here.
Spoiler:
Barry Zuckerkorn
This is a lawyer. Has a bit of a kinky side to him. He is returning.
Oscar George Bluth
George's twin brother. He...could be returning? I guess. They certainly have the means!
Steve Holt
Gob's illegitimate son and local triathlon champion. I've heard he sadly won't be returning.
Ann Veal
Her? She's George Michael's on-and-off girlfriend. Probably really funny or something. It would seem she's returning.
Kitty Sanchez
George's fiercely loyal assistant, hoping to one day carry his child SPRING BREAK WOOOOO!
Gob's Wife
They got married in a series of escalating dares. She's a seal trainer.
Gene Parmesan
Private eye. Lucille seems really impressed by his espionage work.
Wayne Jarvis
He's a professional. Was once called the worst audience participant Cirque du Soleil ever had.
Bob Loblaw
Barry's eventual replacement (it's not the first time he's had to replace him). Regularly updates the Bob Loblaw Law Blog.
Annyong Bluth
Hello.
Franklin Delano Bluth
His first album, Franklin Comes Alive, never made it out of the front seat of the stair car.
Here is a trailer for Season 4 in case you missed it
Lastly, in case there are any people new to the series, I'd just like to ask people to please mark spoilers if they can. I've tried to keep the big spoilers out of the main cast descriptions.
New viewers will be happy to note that all three existing seasons are currently streaming!
I'll put this here, even though it's the sort of thing that should be evident, but series creator Mitchell Hurwitz has said to make sure to watch the season four episodes of Arrested Development in order. Anyone that's seen the show knows that's how you watch it anyways, but hey.
That aside, let us rejoice that, seven years later, we are finally getting a continuation of Arrested Development!
Pray it doesn't suck!
UPDATE: It doesn't suck! It's pretty great!
Good job Netflix!