The Best Episodes of Arrested Development Season 1

Episode Rankings

1. #1 Fan Favorite
   

   8.1/10(4785 votes)

   #1 - Pilot

   S1:E111/2/2003

   Meet the Bluths. In the pilot, Michael decides to take a job in Arizona after being passed over by George Sr. for head of the Bluth Company. George Sr. is jailed, and the family realizes they need Michael.

   Directors:Joe Russo, Anthony Russo

   Writer:Mitchell Hurwitz

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   Directors:Joe Russo, Anthony Russo

   Writer:Mitchell Hurwitz
2. 

   8.4/10(4179 votes)

   #2 - Top Banana

   S1:E211/9/2003

   Michael puts George Michael in charge of the Bluth Bannana Stand, and his son subsequently burns down the stand. Elsewhere, Tobias auditions for a commercial, and Lindsay inadvertantly gets the part.

   Directors:Joe Russo, Anthony Russo

   Writer:Mitchell Hurwitz

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   Directors:Joe Russo, Anthony Russo

   Writer:Mitchell Hurwitz
3. 

   8.0/10(3821 votes)

   #3 - Bringing Up Buster

   S1:E311/16/2003

   Michael spends quality time with Buster. George Michael auditions for a school play to get closer to Maeby. Gob breaks up with his girlfriend and has nowhere to go.

   Director:Joe Russo

   Writer:Mitchell Hurwitz

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   Director:Joe Russo

   Writer:Mitchell Hurwitz
4. 

   8.3/10(3642 votes)

   #4 - Key Decisions

   S1:E411/23/2003

   Gob decides to lock himself in his father's prison for 24 hours to get back in with the alliance, and to spend quality time with his father. Michael takes Gob's girlfriend to an awards show, and Buster inadvertently flirts with his mother's rival.

   Directors:Joe Russo, Anthony Russo

   Writers:Mitchell Hurwitz, Brad Copeland

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   Directors:Joe Russo, Anthony Russo

   Writers:Mitchell Hurwitz, Brad Copeland
5. 

   8.2/10(3459 votes)

   #5 - Charity Drive

   S1:E511/30/2003

   Michael and Lindsay try to prove their charitable sides to each other. Gob demands George Michael's respect, and Buster continues avoiding Lucille 2.

   Director:Greg Mottola

   Writers:Barbara Feldman, Mitchell Hurwitz

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   Director:Greg Mottola

   Writers:Barbara Feldman, Mitchell Hurwitz
6. 

   8.0/10(3332 votes)

   #6 - Visiting Ours

   S1:E612/7/2003

   Michael sets up an "intimate conjugal visit" for his parents, while it is revealed that George Sr. had an affair with Kitty, his secretary who recently slept with Gob. Tobias and Lindsay see a marriage counselor.

   Director:Greg Mottola

   Writer:Mitchell Hurwitz

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   Director:Greg Mottola

   Writer:Mitchell Hurwitz
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7. 

   8.1/10(3267 votes)

   #7 - In God We Trust

   S1:E712/14/2003

   Michael attempts to fire the family's incompetent, but likeable attorney. George Michael impresses Maeby with a muscle suit for a "Living Classics" pagent. Tobias has a psychological affliction where he is unable to take off his clothes.

   Director:Joe Russo

   Writer:Mitchell Hurwitz

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   Director:Joe Russo

   Writer:Mitchell Hurwitz
8. 

   8.0/10(3203 votes)

   #8 - My Mother, the Car

   S1:E812/21/2003

   Michael loses his short-term memory, which Lucille uses to her advantage. Gob attempts to use the family yacht before Michael sells it. George Michael and Maeby attempt to see an R-rated movie about cousins having an affair. Buster and Lucille 2 take "the next step".

   Director:Jay Chandrasekhar

   Writer:Mitchell Hurwitz

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   Director:Jay Chandrasekhar

   Writer:Mitchell Hurwitz
9. 

   8.3/10(3159 votes)

   #9 - Storming the Castle

   S1:E91/4/2004

   Michael cannot go through with his plan to break up Gob and Marta. A thug magician wants to take Gob's "legs". Maeby wears all leather to get back at her mother, and Lucille decides to confront Buster's relationship with Lucille 2.

   Director:Greg Mottola

   Writers:Mitchell Hurwitz, Brad Copeland

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   Director:Greg Mottola

   Writers:Mitchell Hurwitz, Brad Copeland
10. 

    9.0/10(4060 votes)

    #10 - Pier Pressure

    S1:E101/11/2004

    Buster realizes that medical marijuana will help cure Lucille 2's vertigo, and pays George Michael to get it for him from Gob. Lindsay sends Maeby to spend a day with Lucille to punish her for bad grades. Michael thinks George Michael is on drugs and attempts to teach him a lesson.

    Director:Joe Russo

    Writers:Mitchell Hurwitz, Jim Vallely

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    Director:Joe Russo

    Writers:Mitchell Hurwitz, Jim Vallely
11. 

    8.2/10(3149 votes)

    #11 - Public Relations

    S1:E111/25/2004

    When George Michael is a rejected by a private school due to the family's reputation, Michael hires a publicist from his gym who he's been flirting with to change the public perspective of the Bluths. Meanwhile, Tobias is sent to Boston to reclaim his medical license.

    Director:Lee Shallat Chemel

    Writer:Mitchell Hurwitz

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    Director:Lee Shallat Chemel

    Writer:Mitchell Hurwitz
12. 

    8.3/10(3064 votes)

    #12 - Marta Complex

    S1:E122/8/2004

    When Lucille throws an anniversary party for Tobias and Lindsay on Valentine's Day, Michael gives an impassioned speech about love. This makes Marta realize she has feelings for him and Lindsay realize she wants a divorce. Meanwhile, Buster decides to move out of the penthouse and Lucille revels in living alone for the first time.

    Director:Joe Russo

    Writers:Mitchell Hurwitz, Jim Vallely

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    Director:Joe Russo

    Writers:Mitchell Hurwitz, Jim Vallely
13. 

    8.4/10(3044 votes)

    #13 - Beef Consommé

    S1:E132/15/2004

    After learning that Marta has feelings for him, Michael goes to her and they decide to get permission from Gob before taking things to the next level. Meanwhile, Lindsay and Tobias finally get to the heart of his "never-nude" problem and George Sr. faces his first hearing.

    Director:Jay Chandrasekhar

    Writer:Mitchell Hurwitz

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    Director:Jay Chandrasekhar

    Writer:Mitchell Hurwitz
14. 

    8.5/10(3168 votes)

    #14 - Shock and Aww

    S1:E143/7/2004

    Michael falls for his George Michael's ethics teacher, whom his son also has a crush on. Meanwhile, Lucille adopts a 14-year old Korean boy, and George Sr.'s "Caged Wisdom" tapes have given him a new admirer.

    Director:Joe Russo

    Writers:Mitchell Hurwitz, Jim Vallely

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    Director:Joe Russo

    Writers:Mitchell Hurwitz, Jim Vallely
15. 

    8.1/10(2955 votes)

    #15 - Staff Infection

    S1:E153/14/2004

    When Michael discovers his family has been receiving paychecks without working, he forces them all to get jobs within the company. Lindsay questions his management skills, and Tobias checks himself in at George Sr.'s prison to research a film role.

    Director:John Fortenberry

    Writers:Mitchell Hurwitz, Brad Copeland

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    Director:John Fortenberry

    Writers:Mitchell Hurwitz, Brad Copeland
16. 

    8.5/10(2993 votes)

    #16 - Altar Egos

    S1:E163/17/2004

    Michael attempts to have a one-night stand with an attorney whom he doesn't know is not only blind, but the prosecutor who is trying to put his father in jail. Also, Gob gets married on a dare, Maeby pretends to be a girl with a made up disease, and George Sr.'s admirer turns out to be an undercover SEC agent who has truly fallen for him.

    Director:Jay Chandrasekhar

    Writer:Mitchell Hurwitz

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    Director:Jay Chandrasekhar

    Writer:Mitchell Hurwitz
17. 

    8.7/10(3146 votes)

    #17 - Justice Is Blind

    S1:E173/21/2004

    Gob steals a file on the government's case against the Bluth Company that Maggie had given to Michael. Tobias is sent to Maggie's house to get evidence, George Michael tries to prove Maeby's fraud, and Lindsay fights to remove the Ten Commandments from the courthouse lawn.

    Director:Jay Chandrasekhar

    Writers:Mitchell Hurwitz, Abraham Higginbotham

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    Director:Jay Chandrasekhar

    Writers:Mitchell Hurwitz, Abraham Higginbotham
18. 

    8.2/10(2838 votes)

    #18 - Missing Kitty

    S1:E183/28/2004

    Gob attempts to make good on his promise to make the family yacht disappear. Meanwhile, Lindsay and Maeby try to track down Lindsay's grandmother, Tobias seeks George Sr.'s respect, and Michael attempts to fire Kitty, who claims to have information that could bring down the company.

    Director:Joe Russo

    Writer:Mitchell Hurwitz

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    Director:Joe Russo

    Writer:Mitchell Hurwitz
19. 

    8.0/10(2817 votes)

    #19 - Best Man for the Gob

    S1:E194/4/2004

    George Sr. uses Gob's bachelor party as an opportunity to set up his accountant in a compromising position so that he can blackmail him. Meanwhile, Michael tries to prove he's a fun guy, and the Funkes reunite their family folk-music band.

    Director:Lee Shallat Chemel

    Writer:Mitchell Hurwitz

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    Director:Lee Shallat Chemel

    Writer:Mitchell Hurwitz
20. 

    7.9/10(2797 votes)

    #20 - Whistler's Mother

    S1:E204/11/2004

    Michael deals with numerous requests for some unfrozen money, and chastises Lucille for being too coddling with Buster. Lindsay decides to protest the war to boost her self esteem while Tobias and Gob decide to start a coffee company.

    Director:Paul Feig

    Writers:Mitchell Hurwitz, Jim Vallely

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    Director:Paul Feig

    Writers:Mitchell Hurwitz, Jim Vallely
21. 

    8.5/10(2876 votes)

    #21 - Not Without My Daughter

    S1:E214/25/2004

    Michael takes Maeby to work with him on Take Your Daughter to Work Day. After being slighted by Michael, Tobias, George-Michael and Gob all go to the mall to prove that they are just manly. Oscar takes Lucille and Buster to Annyong's soccer game.

    Director:Lee Shallat Chemel

    Writer:Mitchell Hurwitz

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    Director:Lee Shallat Chemel

    Writer:Mitchell Hurwitz
22. 

    8.6/10(2942 votes)

    #22 - Let 'Em Eat Cake

    S1:E226/6/2004

    In the first season finale, George Sr. has a heart attack, and Maeby is jealous when George Michael likes another girl. Meanwhile, Lindsay decides to leave Tobias until a book he wrote a long time ago becomes a gay bestseller, and Buster and Annyong compete over women.

    Director:Paul Feig

    Writers:Mitchell Hurwitz, Jim Vallely

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    Director:Paul Feig

    Writers:Mitchell Hurwitz, Jim Vallely