Arrested Development Season 4

Kmac:

This is the story of a girl whose television show went away, and the long wait she had to endure. This is Kmac’s Arrested Development.

I came to Arrested Development through Netflix by bing watching all 3 seasons from the early aughts in a few weeks and then that was it. I rewatched them over and over as a form of comfort food. I knew the scenes well enough that I could have it on in the kitchen and get the laughs I want without being distracted and burning my food. It would have been enough.

Thankfully Netflix saw an opportunity to gain a few more subscribers by giving us a Season 4. Before I go into my thoughts on the new season here is my will you like it prediction for the uninitiated. This is a very specific kind of humor. There is no laugh track, these are not the nicest people, the jokes can be both smart and silly. I would suggest watching the pilot, then grabbing an episode from a later season. I often find that’s the best way to see if you might like a show as comedy shows often take beyond the pilot to find themselves. That said if you do like it you will find it Hilarious.

Season 4 was excellent as a new way of watching television. The stories were all interwoven with new revels each episode to a different part of this crazy families adventures. But this does make the first few episodes not as fun the first time as you try and figure out the new structure. Part of the problem this season was always going to have is that the family would not be together often. For all their faults this is about a family trying to stay together. This season was about what happens when that family falls apart. Since each character gets their own spotlight if it’s a character you are not crazy about you may be tempted to switch. It’s Simpsons syndrome in that I will always watch a Homer episode but may skip a Lisa. With this show you can’t switch, it’s a giant puzzle and every piece counts.

But the episodes that worked, man did they work. I could listen to the character Buster click his hook hand while giggling Stimies, his name for government stimulus money, all day. In fact I’m cracking up thinking about it. Fans of the show will see many recurring jokes and gags that reward repeat watching, wee Britain, loose seals, way to plant Ann. So if you like the show watch this season and ignore the online chatter, which I’m aware this is now part of, and just enjoy. It may not be everything you want but I guaranty by the end you will want more. Next up a movie!

I give Season 4... 4 out of 5 chicken dances.