The BEST episodes of Arrested Development season 1

Every episode of Arrested Development season 1, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Arrested Development season 1!

Level-headed son Michael Bluth takes over family affairs after his father is imprisoned. But the rest of his spoiled, dysfunctional family are making his job unbearable.

Last Updated: 11/14/2024Network: NetflixStatus: Ended
Pier Pressure
star
8.13
3112 votes

#1 - Pier Pressure

Season 1 - Episode 10 - Aired 1/11/2004

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.

Directors: Joe Russo
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Altar Egos
star
8.07
2607 votes

#2 - Altar Egos

Season 1 - Episode 16 - Aired 3/17/2004

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.

Writer: Barbie Adler
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Beef Consomme
star
8.06
2740 votes

#3 - Beef Consomme

Season 1 - Episode 13 - Aired 2/15/2004

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.

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Let 'Em Eat Cake
star
8.04
2337 votes

#4 - Let 'Em Eat Cake

Season 1 - Episode 22 - Aired 6/6/2004

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.

Directors: Paul Feig
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Missing Kitty
star
8.03
2335 votes

#5 - Missing Kitty

Season 1 - Episode 18 - Aired 3/28/2004

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.

Directors: Joe Russo
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Shock and Aww
star
8.03
2723 votes

#6 - Shock and Aww

Season 1 - Episode 14 - Aired 3/7/2004

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.

Directors: Joe Russo
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Justice Is Blind
star
8.02
2645 votes

#7 - Justice Is Blind

Season 1 - Episode 17 - Aired 3/21/2004

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.

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Not Without My Daughter
star
8.00
2342 votes

#8 - Not Without My Daughter

Season 1 - Episode 21 - Aired 4/25/2004

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 soceer game.

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Public Relations
star
7.96
2890 votes

#9 - Public Relations

Season 1 - Episode 11 - Aired 1/25/2004

When George Michael is 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.

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Visiting Ours
star
7.95
3095 votes

#10 - Visiting Ours

Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 12/7/2003

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.

Directors: Greg Mottola
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Best Man for the Gob
star
7.95
2607 votes

#11 - Best Man for the Gob

Season 1 - Episode 19 - Aired 4/4/2004

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.

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Top Banana
star
7.92
4015 votes

#12 - Top Banana

Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 11/9/2003

Michael puts George Michael in charge of the banana stand, but unfortunately puts Maeby there with him. Much to Michael's chagrin, George Sr. continues to run the business from prison. Tobias auditions for a commercial but Lindsay gets the part.

Directors: Anthony Russo
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Whistler's Mother
star
7.91
2393 votes

#13 - Whistler's Mother

Season 1 - Episode 20 - Aired 4/11/2004

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.

Directors: Paul Feig
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Storming the Castle
star
7.90
3171 votes

#14 - Storming the Castle

Season 1 - Episode 9 - Aired 1/4/2004

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.

Directors: Greg Mottola
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Bringing Up Buster
star
7.89
3613 votes

#15 - Bringing Up Buster

Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 11/16/2003

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.

Directors: Joe Russo
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In God We Trust
star
7.88
3165 votes

#16 - In God We Trust

Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired 12/14/2003

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.

Directors: Joe Russo
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Charity Drive
star
7.88
3451 votes

#17 - Charity Drive

Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 11/30/2003

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

Directors: Greg Mottola
Writer: Barbie Adler
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My Mother, The Car
star
7.86
2752 votes

#18 - My Mother, The Car

Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired 12/21/2003

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".

Writer: Chuck Martin
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Marta Complex
star
7.86
2818 votes

#19 - Marta Complex

Season 1 - Episode 12 - Aired 2/8/2004

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.

Directors: Joe Russo
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Pilot
star
7.80
4904 votes

#20 - Pilot

Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 11/2/2003

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.

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Key Decisions
star
7.77
3526 votes

#21 - Key Decisions

Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 11/23/2003

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: Anthony Russo
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Staff Infection
star
7.69
2772 votes

#22 - Staff Infection

Season 1 - Episode 15 - Aired 3/14/2004

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.

Directors: John Fortenberry
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