Today, we are continuing a five part series on season 4, the Netflix season, of Arrested Development. In this series, much like in season 4 of the show, Matthew Pittman takes on one character at a time, considering what defines their character and what we might learn about ourselves by laughing at their foibles. Parts 1-5 will post each day this week. – Editor
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George-Michael
The storyline that paralleled The Social Network was appropriate for George-Michael. Like Mark Zuckerberg, he possesses dubious social skills. Unlike Zuckerberg, he does not possess the coding skill or marketing savvy to create any sort of successful software. The only thing George-Michael has going for him, other than his new post-Spain O.S. (overtly sexual) demeanor, is the innate Bluth gene for deception. Once he taps into this, George-Michael begins to bumble upwards through the ranks of faux success, much like his father did in previous seasons. Fabricating such hype out sheer nothingness results in something that is sort of like having pedophiles throw you a pool party: a success on some level, but for the wrong reasons, and you probably won’t like what happens next.
Michael Cera seems born to play George-Michael. He captures every nuance of awkward adolescence, including the fleeting nature of confidence and desire. He represents a different sort of flip-flopping than the rest of his family. When Lindsay flips politically, it almost makes sense, but she still is doing it for personal reasons like insecurity. When George Sr. goes from pro-wall to anti-wall, it is also for personal reasons: spite and greed. But when George-Michael flip-flops, it is sweetly genuine. Like when his desire to educate his cousin outweighs his desire to kiss her. Or when he goes from not willing to promote the lie about his fake company, to all in favor of it. Even though he just wants to get laid, something about him remains pure. Why is his selfishness so different?
Maeby
Ah, Maeby. More mature than both of her parents, with a better job, yet still just wants to be noticed by them. But she doesn’t want it so bad that won’t pimp her own mother out for some extra cash. Maeby is a funny character – wildly talented and successful in some areas, but mixed-up priorities and emotional scarring keep her from reaching her full potential. I think we all know at least a few people like this. It is difficult to watch someone with enormous potential continue to shoot themselves in the foot.
This might be one of the most important functions of a community. Calling each other out, speaking truth into others’ blind spots, etc. – these are the functions of community that Maeby is without. She has always been an outsider, relegated to the periphery, not only of her family’s consciousness but the shows focus as well. Her episode reflects that. Jokes and scenes unfolded for a third layer of humor (sitting behind Tobias sitting behind Lindsay on the flight to India, coughing to get their attention after the Queen Mary crashed). We might not always get community right the first time, but with persistence, patience, and grace – all of which take practice – we can find like-minded believers to spur us on. And practice makes perfecto.
Next time on Arrested Development Unwound… G.O.B. and Ann (Who?) meet Jesus.
