Arrested Development: Season 1, Episode 10 "Pier Pressure"

Arrested Development: Season 1, Episode 10 "Pier Pressure"

January 11, 2004


“Pier Pressure” is the tenth episode of Arrested Development and may be the best episode of the entire series. This is one of those episodes that is instantly rewatchable and also propelled the entire series to comedic greatness although the show never got the necessary viewers to be labeled as a smash hit. But that is a story for another day. The episode has it all. Excellent writing, capable direction from Joe Russo, fantastic acting, biting dialogue, an anti-drug message, and the introduction of a one-armed man named J. Walter Weatherman (love that name!).



The episode basically begins with a flashback. If any of the Bluth children did something wrong, George Sr would use the one-armed man to teach them lessons. This parenting technique was quite gruesome and…perhaps just a tad immoral. But this flashback explains the awkward parenting techniques of Michael and Lindsay. You can see these techniques in this scenario. George-Michael gets an A- on a test, but his father is disappointed. He says, “I’m proud of you…..minus.” When Maeby gets a C-, Lindsay is all excited for her daughter. So you can see how George Sr laid the stones for such family dysfunction.  



What happens next is hilarious. Lindsay, in an attempt to punish Maeby to make herself look good in the front of the family, has her daughter help Lucille go through receipts. Of course, now we see “Gangy” as Maeby calls her grandmother, use her sharp tongue to rolling laughs. As for George-Michael, Michael believes his son is stressed and is on drugs. In reality, Buster came to George-Michael to ask GOB for marijuana for Lucille Austero, but he is afraid to ask GOB himself. Michael decides to take a page from his father’s parenting handbook to use the one-armed man on George-Michael. But little did he know what the actual outcome will be. Just be warned that strippers will be involved.



This episode is a laugh riot and the best episode of the season. The anti-drug message is clear and the main focus, but it’s really funny to see the elaborate scenario play itself out. Although Michael’s plan may be flawed, at least he shows concern for his son. This episode is also important in terms of characterization, especially for Michael and his son. The one-armed man though…..so funny!



My Grade: A+

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