Arrested Development (season 2)

Arrested Development (season 2)
DVD cover
Country of origin	United States
No. of episodes	18
Release
Original network	Fox
Original release	November 7, 2004 – April 17, 2005

The second season of the television comedy series Arrested Development aired between November 7, 2004 and April 17, 2005, on Fox in the United States. It consisted of 18 episodes, each running approximately 22 minutes in length. The second season was released on DVD in region 1 on October 11, 2005, in region 2 on January 23, 2006 and in region 4 on March 15, 2006.

The show's storyline centers on the Bluth family, a formerly wealthy, habitually dysfunctional family and is presented in a continuous format, incorporating hand-held camera work, narration, archival photos, and historical footage.

Plot

Because of his father's latest prison break deception (a faked heart attack), Michael decides to leave his family and move to Phoenix, Arizona with George Michael, but discovers that due to the Bluth Company being under investigation he cannot leave the state. Lucille appoints Gob the new Bluth Company president, but since Gob proves utterly incompetent, the position's real duties revert to Michael. During the rest of the season Gob serves as figurehead president; Michael is still under scrutiny for George Sr.'s illegal activity.

George Sr. is not, in fact, gone. After faking his death in Mexico by paying off the cops, George Sr. returns to the family model home, where George Michael discovers him and hides him in the attic. To protect his son from legal implications, Michael hides George Sr. in Gob's Aztec Tomb, orchestrates a diversion, and tells the family that George Sr. has escaped once more. Throughout the rest of the season, Michael sneaks George Sr. provisions and George Sr. keeps tabs on the Bluth family through the ventilation system. George Sr. also faces onslaught from the outside world; the press begins looking for him in Iraq, fumigators surround the house while he's still in the attic, and Kitty returns to steal a sample of his semen to make her own Bluth baby.

Buster meanwhile joins the army, but escapes serving in Iraq when his hand is bitten off by a loose seal (a play on "Lucille") Gob mistakenly gave a taste for mammal flesh. Buster is refitted with a sharp hook, which he brandishes dangerously near his relatives' faces. During Buster's long psychological recovery, he bonds with George Sr.'s stoned twin brother Oscar, who moves in with Lucille in an attempt to rekindle a past love affair. Uncle Oscar slowly reveals himself as Buster's presumptive biological father. Eventually, George Sr. takes revenge on the adulterous Oscar and Lucille by kidnapping Oscar, knocking him unconscious, exchanging appearances with him, and sending him to prison in his place.

Lindsay and Tobias continue their disastrous open relationship. Lindsay tries (but fails) to secure a lover, while Tobias paints himself blue each night in a futile attempt to join the Blue Man Group. When Lindsay kicks him out of the house, Tobias disguises himself as a singing British nanny named "Mrs. Featherbottom" (an idea he gets from the film Mrs. Doubtfire) so he can watch over his daughter Maeby. The family sees right through this incompetent disguise, but they humor Tobias—in the guise of Mrs. Featherbottom he also does their chores.

George Michael begins dating a deeply religious girl, Ann Veal, who encourages him to smash pop music CDs and to run for student body president against perennial favorite Steve Holt. Michael dislikes her and tries to disrupt the kids' relationship, most notably by breaking up Ann and George Michael's pre-engagement. Meanwhile, Maeby cons her way into an after school job as a film studio executive. When Maeby's studio remakes "Les Cousins Dangereux", George Michael abandons Ann to pursue his crush on Maeby. George Michael and Maeby kiss while the living room of the model home collapses under them.

Cast

• Jason Bateman as Michael Bluth
• Portia de Rossi as Lindsay Fünke
• Will Arnett as Gob Bluth
• Michael Cera as George Michael Bluth
• Alia Shawkat as Maeby Fünke
• Tony Hale as Buster Bluth
• David Cross as Tobias Fünke
• Jeffrey Tambor as George and Oscar Bluth
• Jessica Walter as Lucille Bluth
• Ron Howard as Narrator (uncredited)

Episodes

No. overall	No. in season	Title	Directed by	Written by	Original air date	Prod. code [1]	U.S. viewers (millions)
23	1	"The One Where Michael Leaves"	Lee Shallat-Chemel	Mitchell Hurwitz & Richard Rosenstock	November 7, 2004	2AJD01	6.61[2]
Michael and George Michael leave for Phoenix but go back to ensure the family misses them. Lindsay's desire for an open marriage causes Tobias to try to join the Blue Man Group, because he thinks they are a support group for depressed men. Lucille signs Buster up for the Army after being goaded by a Michael Moore lookalike. Gob becomes president of the Bluth company.
24	2	"The One Where They Build a House"	Patty Jenkins	Mitchell Hurwitz & Jim Vallely	November 14, 2004	2AJD02	7.22[3]
Gob promises a model house for a new development in only 2 weeks, so everyone in the family helps to build a fake house that is empty on the inside. Lindsay buys a cream made of powdered diamonds.
25	3	"¡Amigos!"	Lee Shallat-Chemel	Brad Copeland	November 21, 2004	2AJD03	5.89[4]
Lucille hires a detective who locates George Sr. in Mexico. Michael goes to collect his father, accompanied by George Michael and his girlfriend Ann. Gob hires a bounty hunter named Ice to keep tabs on Michael (and to be his friend).
26	4	"Good Grief"	Jeff Melman	John Levenstein	December 5, 2004	2AJD04	6.66[5]
After Ice reveals that George Sr. has been executed in Mexico, the family holds a wake. Gob attempts an illusion in which he is buried in place of his father's body. This upsets Buster, who was told that it was a birthday party. George Michael discovers George Sr. alive in an underground bunker and hides him in the attic.
27	5	"Sad Sack"	Peter Lauer	Barbie Adler	December 12, 2004	2AJD05	6.28[6]
George Sr. is concerned about the romance growing between his twin brother Oscar and Lucille. The prosecutor turns up new evidence supporting the Bluths' "light treason" charge.
28	6	"Afternoon Delight"	Jason Bateman	Abraham Higginbotham & Chuck Martin	December 19, 2004	2AJD06	5.62[7]
After getting roasted at the company Christmas party, Gob fires the entire staff and Michael must find a way to rehire them. Meanwhile, Buster plays hooky from the Army.
29	7	"Switch Hitter"	Paul Feig	Story by: Courtney Lilly Teleplay by: Barbie Adler	January 16, 2005	2AJD07	5.78[8]
Armed with Michael's good ideas, Gob goes to work for their competitor, Stan Sitwell. George Sr. thinks Sitwell is just trying to win the company softball game.
30	8	"Queen for a Day"	Andrew Fleming	Brad Copeland	January 23, 2005	2AJD08	5.20[9]
When the Bluth company stock is unfrozen, Michael sells his shares to buy a new Corvette and Tobias uses his shares to purchase a gay nightclub called "The Queen Mary".
31	9	"Burning Love"	Paul Feig	Chuck Martin & Lisa Parsons	January 30, 2005	2AJD09	6.96[10]
Michael pursues childhood crush Sally Sitwell, Lindsay tries to entice a right-wing actor by wearing her mother's furs, and Gob and Lucille 2 continue their illicit relationship. George Michael stages a Christian music bonfire for his girlfriend Ann. George Sr. installs a hot-tub in his attic hideout.
32	10	"Ready, Aim, Marry Me"	Paul Feig	Jim Vallely & Mitchell Hurwitz	February 13, 2005	2AJD10	5.61[11]
Thinking Lucille 2 (the majority shareholder) and Stan Sitwell are plotting against the Bluth company, Michael sets up Lindsay to go on a romantic get-away with her fake Uncle Jack on the condition that Jack will bail out the company again. Gob and Buster follow Lucille 2 and Stan on their date.
33	11	"Out on a Limb"	Danny Leiner	Chuck Martin & Jim Vallely	March 6, 2005	2AJD11	6.34[12]
Gob's wife files for divorce. Michael learns that former lover (and known liar) Maggie Lizer is pregnant, so he has Tobias and Lindsay break into her house to collect a urine sample to confirm her pregnancy. Buster swims in the ocean and has his hand bitten off by a loose seal.
34	12	"Hand to God"	Joe Russo	Mitchell Hurwitz & Chuck Martin	March 6, 2005	2AJD12	5.75[12]
Buster tries to come to terms with the loss of his hand. Michael tries to find a way out of raising Maggie's baby.
35	13	"Motherboy XXX"	Joe Russo	Mitchell Hurwitz & Jim Vallely	March 13, 2005	2AJD13	6.08[13]
Ashamed of Buster's missing hand, Lucille recruits George Michael to compete in the 30th annual "Motherboy" contest with her.
36	14	"The Immaculate Election"	Anthony Russo	Barbie Adler & Abraham Higginbotham	March 20, 2005	2AJD14	5.73[14]
George Michael runs a doomed campaign for class president against Steve Holt. Lindsay kicks Tobias out, but he returns as their singing British housekeeper, Mrs. Featherbottom.
37	15	"Sword of Destiny"	Peter Lauer	Brad Copeland	March 27, 2005	2AJD17	4.72[15]
Gob performs the Sword of Destiny illusion as Buster's assistant. Michael is hospitalized with appendicitis.
38	16	"Meat the Veals"	Joe Russo	Barbie Adler & Richard Rosenstock	April 3, 2005	2AJD15	5.33[16]
Michael introduces the Bluths to Ann's conservative parents, hoping to turn them against George Michael and Ann's pre-engagement. Oscar throws Lucille an anniversary party.
39	17	"Spring Breakout"	Anthony Russo	Barbie Adler & Abraham Higginbotham	April 10, 2005	2AJD16	5.19[17]
Michael checks Lucille into rehab, but she challenges Kitty to a drinking contest with George Sr. as the prize.
40	18	"Righteous Brothers"	Chuck Martin	Mitchell Hurwitz & Jim Vallely	April 17, 2005	2AJD18	5.99[18]
The model home collapses. Tobias and Kitty head to Las Vegas together.

Reception

Critical reception

In its second season, Arrested Development was met with widespread critical acclaim. On the review aggregator website Metacritic, the second season scored 88 out of 100, based on 15 reviews, indicating "Universal acclaim".^[19]

Awards and nominations

In 2005, the second season received eleven Emmy nominations in seven categories with one win. It was nominated for Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series (Jason Bateman), Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series (Jeffrey Tambor), Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series (Jessica Walter), Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series (Barbie Adler for "Sad Sack" and Brad Copeland for "Sword of Destiny"); Outstanding Casting for a Comedy Series; Outstanding Single-Camera Picture Editing for a Comedy Series (three nominations).^[20] The episode "Righteous Brothers", written by Mitchell Hurwitz and Jim Vallely won for Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series.^[21]

The second season also received two Golden Globe nominations in two categories with one win. It was nominated for Best Series Musical or Comedy, and Jason Bateman won for Best Performance in a Musical or Comedy.^[22]

Home media releases

The second season was released on DVD in region 1 on October 11, 2005,^[23] in region 2 on January 23, 2006^[24] and in region 4 on March 15, 2006.^[25] Special features include commentary by creator Mitchell Hurwitz and cast members on "Good Grief", "Ready, Aim, Marry Me!" and "Righteous Brothers"; deleted and extended scenes; Season One in 3 Minutes overview; blooper reel; "The Immaculate Election" Campaign Videos.^[26]

References

1. "Arrested Development". Fox in Flight. Fox Broadcasting Company. Retrieved August 31, 2012.
2. "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. November 9, 2004. Retrieved August 31, 2012.
3. "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. November 16, 2004. Retrieved August 31, 2012.
4. "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. November 23, 2004. Retrieved August 31, 2012.
5. "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. December 7, 2004. Retrieved August 31, 2012.
6. "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. December 14, 2004. Retrieved August 31, 2012.
7. "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. December 21, 2004. Retrieved August 31, 2012.
8. "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. January 19, 2005. Retrieved August 31, 2012.
9. "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. January 25, 2005. Retrieved August 31, 2012.
10. "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. February 1, 2005. Retrieved August 31, 2012.
11. "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. February 15, 2005. Retrieved August 31, 2012.
12. "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. March 8, 2005. Retrieved August 31, 2012.
13. "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. March 15, 2005. Retrieved August 31, 2012.
14. "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. March 22, 2005. Retrieved August 31, 2012.
15. "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. March 29, 2005. Retrieved August 31, 2012.
16. "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. April 5, 2005. Retrieved August 31, 2012.
17. "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. April 12, 2005. Retrieved August 31, 2012.
18. "Weekly Program Rankings". ABC Medianet. April 19, 2005. Retrieved August 31, 2012.
19. "Critic Reviews for Arrested Development Season 2". Metacritic. Retrieved May 29, 2013.
20. "57th Annual Primetime Emmy Nominees" (Press release). The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. July 14, 2005. Retrieved July 29, 2011.
21. "2004-2005 Primetime Emmys for Programs and Individual Achievements at the 57th Annual Emmy Awards" (Press release). The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. September 18, 2005. Retrieved July 29, 2011.
22. "Arrested Development". GoldenGlobes.com. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
23. "Arrested Development - Season Two (2003)". Amazon.com. Retrieved January 12, 2010.
24. "Arrested Development - Season 2". Amazon.co.uk. Retrieved July 16, 2010.
25. "Arrested Development - Season 2". dvdloc8.com. Retrieved July 15, 2010.
26. "Arrested Development: Season Two". DVD Talk. October 16, 2005. Retrieved July 29, 2011.

External links

• List of Arrested Development episodes at the Internet Movie Database
• List of Arrested Development season 2 episodes at TV.com