Thoughts about “Arrested Development,” the television series, as commentary on feminism…

Perhaps the best comedy series ever written for television is “Arrested Development”.  Unfortunately, the talk about how great the show was was more popular than the show itself; as they say, it’s the greatest show you never watched.  (As I write this, I am reminded of the more recent show “30 Rock” which has been hyped by the critics but no one seems to watch, including me.)   

The essential premise of the show is a family-run construction company is in disarray after the patriarch of the family is arrested.  One of the sons who is a widower and is much maligned by his siblings and his parents attempts to pick up the pieces of the company.

The show had no end of acting talent in its ranks.  The cast included Jeffrey Tambor, Will Arnet, Jason Bateman, David Cross, Portia de Rossi, Jessica Walter, and Michael Cera.  Each of these actors were brilliant in their roles so much so that even after the end of the series, whenever I see the actors in other projects, I see the Bluth family and all its inanity.

I prescribe to the the Greek tradition that any good drama should both teach and entertain.  “Arrested Development” certainly entertained me.  (I purchased the complete series on dvd to watch as often as I can.)  However, I never really thought about what lessons that the show had to offer.  

After wondering about the same, I came upon this thought.  “Arrested Development” is about the power of women.  That’s right.  I said women.  Of course, the action appears to center around Michael Bluth (Jason Bateman) as he struggles with the hurdles of putting the family business back together again, hurdles placed in his way by his own family. 

However, these struggles are merely a screen behind which the true message lies.  The show is subtle both in the way it is humorous and how it presents the message.  The women in “Arrested Development” seem to be a part of the scenery around which the men of “Arrested Development” react and resolve their conflicts.  I am reminded of an set of episodes in which Michael Bluth and his brother Job compete, (one of many competitions, I might add) for the affections of Job’s wife, a Mexican telenovella actress, from whom he is separated.  The conflict circles around her but does not involve her such that she does not struggle with the love triangle, at least not in the way Michael and Job do.

The power of the women of “Arrested Development” however is not a power we might associated with notions promoted by the Feminist movement (at least as I understand that movement).  The power itself is one of femininity itself, subtle, almost imperceptible if you are not paying attention. 

For example, one on occurring story-line was the struggle of George Michael Bluth (Michael Cera) had with the strange emotions he had for his cousin Maeby Bluth (Alia Shawkat).  She at the same time somewhat unaware the power she had over him.  The strange relationship between George Michael and Maeby have led to strange moments like this one.  Similarly, George Michael becomes infatuated with another girl, Ann, whom seemed to lead George Michael to perform like a circus monkey.

The perhaps the real symbol of the subtle power of the feminine is  the Lucille Bluth (Jessica Walter) who is the matriarch of the Bluth clan.  She plays her role as mother and wife beautifully, exercising her control with a kind of grace and confidence.  She expresses a naivety about the business and other matters of import, concentrating on things more in the realm of relationships.  She relishes in the love/hate relationship she has with Buster Bluth (Tony Hale), enjoys the competition between her husband and his twin brother.  Perhaps her power over the men in her life can be seen here.

Unlike a lot of excellent shows that die a ratings death, “Arrested Development” resolved itself wonderfully.  Among other plot twists needing resolution, it was in the series finale that we finally learn who has  the real control of the business, it is Lucille Bluth who masterminded all of the misdeeds for which George Bluth, Sr. went to prison.  It took three seasons for us (and perhaps I just I speak only to men here) to learn that, despite all appearances, men have no real control; it is women who rule this world.