The One Where Michael Leaves
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| Arrested Development episode | |
| "The One Where Michael Leaves" | |
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| Episode No | 2AJD01 |
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| Airdate | November 7, 2004 |
| Writer(s) | Mitchell Hurwitz and Richard Rosenstock |
| Director | Lee Shallat-Chemel |
| On the next: | "Lindsay almost stumbles upon a dating opportunity, but instead is admitted to the hospital with a fever of 104; Michael finally gets the corporate checkbook, only to find that the family has gotten to it first; and Barry lands in jail." |
| Guest star(s) | Justin Lee as Annyong Bluth Ian Roberts at Dr. Wordsmith Henry Winkler as Barry Zuckerkorn John Beard as Himself Jay Johnston as Officer Taylor |
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Arrested Development Season 2 |
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| All Arrested Development episodes | |
"The One Where Michael Leaves" is the twenty-third episode aired of TV comedy series Arrested Development, and the premiere episode of the second season.
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[edit] Plot
Michael takes George Michael to start a new life in Phoenix. G.O.B. and Lindsay speculate that Michael needs them more than they need him. The police inform Michael that George Sr. has been arrested, but find that they actually have George Sr.'s twin brother, Oscar. Michael is asked not to leave the state while his father is at large. Michael is surprised to find that G.O.B. seems to have things under control at the company. Lindsay and Tobias discuss opening up their marriage to new partners, and Lindsay makes what she thinks is a date. Tobias, depressed about his wife's success in their newly open relationship, spots a flyer for what he thinks is a support group. G.O.B. discovers a briefcase containing a contract between George Bluth and Saddam Hussein. Lindsay shows up for what she thinks will be a sexual adventure with a realtor, but it is actually an open house. Lucille is assailed by a documentary filmmaker, who inquires about the family's Iraq link and pointedly asks if she'd ever enlist her son or daughter in the Army. She immediately signs Buster up for duty. Tobias, painted blue for his audition with the Blue Man Group, is hit by a car. At the hospital, the family pours out their troubles and begs Michael for help. The police mistakenly apprehend Oscar, and George Sr. escapes with the briefcase.
[edit] Cultural references
- Tobias first sees the Blue Man Group in this episode and although he paints himself blue, he mentions that he has not yet even auditioned to be an understudy.
- The title is a play on Friends-style episode titles, which usually start with the phrase "The One Where".
- Lindsay's exercise video is actually for Kegel exercises, a set of exercises designed to strengthen and give voluntary control over the pubococcygeus muscle; the exercises are used to increase sexual gratification.
- G.O.B. sat with the Saddam documents for seven minutes; George W. Bush sat reading a children's story for seven minutes after being told of the September 11, 2001 attacks.
- The documentary filmmaker is a spoof of Michael Moore, whose documentary, Fahrenheit 9/11, included a segment in which he asked senators to enlist their sons or daughters in the army.
[edit] Cameos
- Ian Roberts makes his second appearance as Dr. Wordsmith, also known as "the literal doctor".
- Jay Johnston returns as Officer Taylor, the police officer who hits Oscar over the head. He later plays a large role in the episode "Hand to God".
[edit] Notes
- Although this episode begins on the same day that "Let 'Em Eat Cake" left off, it was in fact filmed several months later, which is why some of the characters (notably Lindsay and the kids) look different.
- This episode marks the start of several new storylines, including Tobias and Lindsay's open marriage, Tobias joining the Blue Man Group, G.O.B. being in charge of the Bluth Company, and Oscar moving in with Buster and Lucille.
- Michael makes a hole in the wall with a sledgehammer. This hole remains for the rest of the season, although half of it is covered by a cabinet.
