By By Michael Gleason
Fox’s critically-acclaimed and Emmy-winning sitcom has just seen its second season transferred to DVD. Arrested Development is one of the funniest series currently on television; it is tightly-scripted and filled with subtle jokes and underplayed one-liners. In essence, the show is tailor-made for DVD. The series becomes better with each viewing.
The show’s cast is the definition of ensemble: all of the actors and actresses are talented and at the top of their comedic game. Jason Bateman plays Michael Bluth, who becomes the new head of the wealthy Bluth family after his father (Jeffrey Tambor) is sent to (and subsequently escapes from) prison. His family is, to put it gently, dysfunctional; years of wealth have left his sister (Portia de Rossi) and two brothers (Will Arnett and Tony Hale) utterly useless. His mother, Lucille (Jessica Walter), is a heavy drinker, seldom without some form of liquor, even in rehab. David Cross fills out the cast as Michael’s brother-in-law Tobias Funke, a hilariously incompetent psychologist/actor stuck in a loveless marriage. Michael must find a way to save the company from going bankrupt while saving his family from themselves. He deals with his situation with acerbic wit, stealthily making fun of the sheer goofiness of the Bluth clan. All of the proceedings are narrated quite ably by Ron Howard, who constantly adds comedic twists.
The writing is the best on television. Each episode spins from normalcy to complete absurdity in a mere 20 minutes. Jokes are woven into the fabric of the plot so well that they are often missed on the first viewing. The show constantly alludes to what will happen in the future, but does so in a subtle way. This is part of the reason why it bears repeat viewings. Events in this series are not just thrown in for a cheap laugh and quickly forgotten; they are building blocks for future events. It is because of this tight plot that the audience feels rewarded. However, it may be also the series’ Achilles heel, since it is hard for new viewers to get into the show.
Guest spots from celebrities are also charming. In this season, Saturday Night Live staffer Amy Poehler makes an appearance as the wife of Michael’s brother Gob. Henry Winkler returns as the Bluth family’s comically inept lawyer. Julia Louis-Dreyfus shows up as Michael’s former girlfriend, and Martin Short stars as the family’s fitness-nut fake uncle. All of the guest characters are well-crafted and have riotous backstories.
The DVDs have a fair amount of extras. Extended and deleted scenes from nearly every episode are thrown in, and they show that even the material cut from the show is funny. Commentary tracks have also been included, as well as a blooper reel. Another extra feature is called “Season One in Three Minutes,” but this is rather an extended promo for the series and not, sadly, a summation of the previous season. Such a summation would be welcome for newcomers, as there is a good deal to be explained about the Bluth family and the situation they find themselves in.
The purchaser of this set will not be disappointed in the least. All 18 episodes of season two present a story arc that is uproariously funny. Watching the DVD sets of the first two seasons is an excellent way to get into the (ongoing) third season of this remarkable show. This set is solidly recommended to those tired of typical comedies.
Show Grade: A+DVD Grade: A-
The second season of Arrested Development is surprising. (Image courtesy higherpower.unladylike.org)
(Image courtesy higherpower.unladylike.org)