Beyond the Binge reflects on episodes from a full season perspective. It is not intended to be spoiler-heavy, but there will be some spoilers throughout. Previously: Borderline Personalities.
When I completed my first watch of Arrested Development Season 4 I was certain “Borderline Personalities” and “Indian Takers” scored 1A and 1B in the weakest episode rankings. Not only do they both come early in the season and are burdened with laying a lot of expository groundwork, but they also feature members of the Bluth family I find the least compelling and prefer in complimentary roles. That being said, upon second watch I have upgraded “Indian Takers” to the second weakest position (!).
This installment is of course more delightful the second go round, primarily because there are so many call-forwards (especially to the Tobias and Maeby episodes) that were impossible to appreciate on first watch. Also because there’s just so much more Bluth family interaction (what “Borderline Personalities” was sorely missing).
Before we jump into “everything you may have missed” I’d like to make note that while I’ve listed some of the slightly less obvious call-forwards (really enjoying this term) I’ll leave the Tobias in India sightings and the Shaman’s true identity (which I think everyone caught initially) to your own second watch. I also won’t be commenting on Portia’s “new look” other than I think a lot of the weirdness is in part the result of the extensions or whatever sort of hairpiece she is wearing. Once she goes “even cuter” she looks A+ to me.
Balboa Bay Window’s “Proposition Ape.” Can’t speak for everyone, but first time around I was so busy I reading the headline and description I didn’t catch Buster’s gorilla suit crop top (?). Also I forget how great the magazine tagline is.
“At least I was able to turn my queen around.” This split second jab + cutaway gets better with every watch.
♪No it’s just a phallus, see♪ Sure, having your ambiguously gay husband sing a made up showtune right after you claim your life is a fallacy is good joke, but mix in the idea that Tobias is singing a penis pun and you’ve got a great joke.
“Stay in your lane anus tart!” One of my favorite call-forwards of the season, mainly because they give you nothing but the lines from Lindsay and the cabbie.
“Anything under a small is considered a David Spade.” It’s funny because David Spade is little. Rebel also makes mention of her David Spade later on.
Ostriches everywhere. Not only does Lindsay see the first ostrich after her consultation, but the Shaman also tells her to pull her head out of the sand AND the name of the Indian city Lindsay travels to, Shuturmurg, is Hindu for “ostrich.”
“Stop with the prayer hands, it just looks like you’re out of ideas.” Most picked up on this, but just an excellent added layer to “Flight of the Phoenix.” Especially, “Shoot me if you ever catch me doing that.”
“No, Michael. I’m not a whore. I don’t get any of the money until after I do the disgusting thing.” Some early foreshadowing that Lindsay doesn’t understand when she’s being a prostitute.
“No income no job no assets.” A kinda/sorta callback to James Carr’s predatory practices like spraying cookie smell throughout the homes he’s trying to sell. But mainly I just really wanted to include this GIF.
Maeby’s doodles start out as a nevernude but over the course of the real estate talks turn into a full blown (bluen?) Blue Man tossing his jean shorts into a fire.
Feeling Blue? The flyer in the methadone clinic looks familiar. Also, “25 and Homeless: Not a hit new reality series.”
“A bunch of deranged bees chased him out of a tree and he fell unto his death.” — Marky Bark on Johnny Bark’s death. Hint of GOB to come.
“But then like a lot of actor’s the teeth go.” — Tobias description of DeBrie’s acting career takes a literal turn in the not so distant future.
Loretta the Waitress at C.W. Swappigan’s is the same Loretta who formerly worked at Klimpy’s and Skip Church’s Bistro. As you’ll recall she sued Skip’s (with the help of Maggie Lizer) for getting fat after eating too many Skip’s Scrambles (she was actually pregnant with two gay cops’ baby).
“The worst f*cking shaman.” A fun new twist on “worst/best f*cking attorneys.”
Linsday is becoming Lucille. In addition to Lucille telling Lindsay, “You’re a lot more like me than you think” there are several other implications that Lindsay — despite her misguided efforts — is turning into her mother (a running theme of the season). There’s the Roomba, shacking up with an activist in his dilapidated trailer (just like Lucille did with Oscar), and even the new hairstyle if you’re willing to read that much into it…
Back shortly with “The B. Team.”
Sources: Arrested Development Wikia & Reddit
