My Top 3 Arrested Development Episodes

Every few months, like clockwork, I rewatch Arrested Development. It's easily the funniest show I've ever seen, with really clever writing and subtle, reoccurring jokes. There are so many layers to each episode that I uncover new bits with every rewatch.

A few months ago, I was talking about the show with my cousin and we were literally quoting lines back and forth for thirty minutes and dying of laughter. It's original humor makes it a must watch for all audiences. I recommend watching up until season four because the Netflix rerun completely ruins the last two seasons of the show.

Photo: Arrested Development Season 1 Poster

Here's an overview of my top three favorite episodes and my favorite bits to convince you to watch the show!

1. "Top Banana" (Season 1 Episode 2)

I reference "There's always money in the Banana stand" way more often than I should, and usually no one gets it. This episode really sets the tone for the show with reoccurring gags and a great introduction to each character. There's Tobias and Lindsay's audition for the "Fire Sale" (Tobias' bit will always make me laugh), George Michael stressing over running the banana stand and Maeby's messed up logic, and Gob trying to throw a letter into the ocean for an embarrassing amount of time. I love how this episode kicks off the show with the different storylines and the character's distinct personalities.

Photo: Arrested Development (S1E2)

2. "Hand to God" (Season 2 Episode 12)

This is easily Buster's best episode. He loses his left hand to a loose seal ("I don't care about Lucille") and goes to the hospital where the doctor tells him he's going to be "all right" (everyone is relieved, but they realize the doctor literally meant that he'll only be able to use his right hand). I also think that Gob losing the seal in the ocean and accidentally feeding it a cat, which causes it's taste for man blood, is so original and hilarious. The seeds for these jokes were planted many episodes ago, and it's so cool to see all the references come together.

3. "Beef Consomme" (Season 1 Episode 13)

Gob's relentless search for the mysterious "hermano", the person his girlfriend Marta is in love with, leaves you yelling at the screen. I love how he knows the word brother in every language but Spanish, and doesn't realize that Marta is in love with his brother until Michael tells him. I also think that Buster joining in on the fight is one of the best parts of this episode. He shows up outside of Marta's house with a mariachi band, and when the Bluth brothers fight outside of the courthouse he tries to join in. The hermano bit is definitely one of my favorites in the entire show.

There are so many other unforgettable episodes, like Maeby's fake twin sister "Surely" and Tobias' lore with the Blue Man Group. I'll always love rewatching this show, even as background noise, and uncovering new hidden jokes and references. There's truly nothing like it and I would give anything to watch it for the first time again.

Photo: Arrested Development S2E1

On another note, It's freezing outside, and I was brutally hit by the Chicago cold plunge straight out of O'Hare airport yesterday. Make sure you bundle up and stay warm. Good luck on finals next week, we're almost there!