Exit Strategy
Encyclopedia
"Exit Strategy" is the fifty-second episode aired of TV comedy series Arrested Development.
Tobias announces that he cannot be deposed, as he has been called by the prosecution, which asked for old photos and documents. Tobias happily grabs them from the model home's secret room and puts them in a box, thinking that he is auditioning for a role on a new CBS drama.
In the kitchen, George Michael nervously tells the family that Maeby's birthday is coming up. He suggests throwing her a surprise party, an event he has already informed Maeby about after she complained that her parents probably did not even know her birthday was on the horizon. Tobias decides on the spot to go buy Maeby a present.
Then G.O.B. enters and informs Michael he is going to be performing in a USO show in Iraq. Considering that their father is being tried for treason for building homes in Iraq, Michael thinks this is a fairly bad idea. But G.O.B. insists he is going, despite his brother's protests and he had been doing his Christian magic act, including his walking on water and wine into water illusions.
Later that day, Tobias meets with Wayne Jarvis. Again, this is not an audition, despite what Tobias thinks - something that Jarvis coldly reminds him of. Jarvis offers Tobias a deal if he can put George Sr. behind bars. But because Jarvis pans Tobias' acting, he angrily turns down their offer. But as he waits for the elevator, a flyer catches Tobias' eye: an advertisement for a scrap booking class. He thinks this will make a perfect gift for Maeby, not knowing the ad was actually a trap set by Jarvis.
Meanwhile, Michael goes to confront his father about G.O.B.'s trip to Iraq. George Sr. explains that he needs a way to get off the hook. Buster went into a coma, Lucille was taking Lindsay to rehab, he was running out of options. Michael complains that he will have to ask the prosecution for a delay, and then warns his family not to make a liar out of him by skipping rehab.
But Buster finds his coma increasingly hard to withstand. His mother offers his body to doctors, dentists and beauticians in training to practice very painful techniques on his supposedly unconscious body. But he endures it all for Adelaide, the nurse who fell in love with his limp form. When she tells Buster she wants to hear him say anything, even if that would mean he was faking the coma, he says "anything". Adelaide slaps him, calls him a coward and a faker and berates herself for allowing herself to fall in love with a comatose man. Buster tries to follow her as she runs off, but he has not used his legs in three weeks.
Michael meets with Wayne Jarvis, assuring him that no family members is in hiding. Jarvis informs him that surveillance tapes show that the two women who checked in to Shady Palms under Lindsey and Lucille's names are clearly not his relatives. Buster had made fifteen phone calls to radio stations while supposedly in a coma. Lastly, G.O.B. is in Iraq, being held in jail as an insurgent.
Michael is called to sign Buster out of the hospital. Buster is despondent over Adelaide calling him a coward. Michael tells him that he has to travel to Iraq to get G.O.B. out of prison. Buster begs Michael to let him come along. He can prove to Adelaide that he is a hero, and use his limited Army training and Arabic language skills to boot.
The depositions are delayed, but the prosecution is about to get a bagful of evidence, thanks to Tobias falling for their scrap booking sting. Meanwhile, Lindsay and Lucille are at a spa in the desert, avoiding both rehab and their depositions. Unfortunately, it is a dry resort.
Michael and Buster check out of the hospital. Adelaide overhears Buster mention their trip to Iraq, which makes her think Buster is a hero again. After saying goodbye to Adelaide, Michael and Buster leave for Iraq, on "Operation Hot Brother," as Buster calls it. As they leave, George Sr. is admitted to the hospital, now in a fake coma of his own.
George Michael, meanwhile, gets a hold of Maeby's address book to invite all of her friends to her secret Sweet 16. And the guys finally get to Iraq, arriving at the prison the Americans are training the Iraqis to run. G.O.B. is thrilled to see his brothers and informs Michael that he was arrested for doing street magic. But what got him in trouble was doing "the late, great Jesus' biggest illusion, the 'Burning Bush.'" When the bush caught fire, the crowd began chanting "Burn Bush!" and soon it looked like G.O.B. was leading an anti-American rally.
G.O.B. confesses to Michael that George Sr. asked him to burn a few model homes in Sadr City if he had the time, but now he is ready to go. Michael tells him he was deemed an enemy combatant, and perhaps is going anywhere for a while. But they are actually released quite easily, which arouses Michael's suspicions. Michael then decides to go check out one of the model homes in question.
There, they find somebody the U.S. government has been able to depose, one of Saddam's many body doubles who lives with many other body doubles. The men are quite polite, so Michael offers to fix their air conditioning. But first, he decides to see if this model home also has a secret room. It does, and inside, Michael finds a bombshell: an actual bombshell.
Back at the American model home, none of the invitees show for Maeby's birthday party. The invitations reading, "Guess Who's Turning 16?" have exposed Maeby's secret and cost her the studio job. Alone, Maeby and George Michael help themselves to some wine, not aware that it is the fake wine from G.O.B.'s magic show.
Back in Iraq, the Bluth boys stare at the nuclear warhead in the secret room. Their American cab driver, who is actually an undercover CIA agent by the name of Richard Shaw, comes in and busts them, which explains why it was so easy to get G.O.B. out of prison. In fact, they had given G.O.B. multiple chances to break out. Then one of the fake Saddams points out the warhead was a fake made by Homefill, the same company that made fake home decorations for the Bluth model home. But inside the hollow shell is a U.S. government tape recorder. Richard Shaw calls Langley, where he learns the government got George Sr. to build houses in Iraq so they could wire them.
Back home, George Michael and Maeby are "drunk" on fake wine. George Michael tries to console Maeby by telling her Lucille once confided that Lindsay never got pregnant. Maeby is touched by her cousin's kindness in arranging a surprise party for her and, because of this, as well as the possibility that they may not be cousins, the two end up passionately kissing and finally reach "second base".
In Iraq, Michael finally learns that his father actually was a patsy, used by the government through a British building company, just like George Sr. had always claimed. Unfortunately, now that they know this, the CIA agent is going to have to kill them. However, Buster has already sent cell phone pictures of everything to Adelaide. Michael hints that the pictures can be kept secret if they were set free. Richard Shaw agrees to let them go, and now in a bargaining position, the Bluth boys are able to negotiate direct flights home, and that the treason charges against George Sr. are dropped. And so, with Operation Hot Brother a success, they return home.
Synopsis
Michael Bluth is preparing his sister for her upcoming deposition in the case against their father. But she can not focus on the task at hand, as she had a lot to drink the night before. So did Tobias, who was trying to fortify himself for a sexual encounter with his wife of many years. But Tobias has a low tolerance, so Lindsay finished the bottle of vodka herself, thinking vodka goes bad once it is opened.Tobias announces that he cannot be deposed, as he has been called by the prosecution, which asked for old photos and documents. Tobias happily grabs them from the model home's secret room and puts them in a box, thinking that he is auditioning for a role on a new CBS drama.
In the kitchen, George Michael nervously tells the family that Maeby's birthday is coming up. He suggests throwing her a surprise party, an event he has already informed Maeby about after she complained that her parents probably did not even know her birthday was on the horizon. Tobias decides on the spot to go buy Maeby a present.
Then G.O.B. enters and informs Michael he is going to be performing in a USO show in Iraq. Considering that their father is being tried for treason for building homes in Iraq, Michael thinks this is a fairly bad idea. But G.O.B. insists he is going, despite his brother's protests and he had been doing his Christian magic act, including his walking on water and wine into water illusions.
Later that day, Tobias meets with Wayne Jarvis. Again, this is not an audition, despite what Tobias thinks - something that Jarvis coldly reminds him of. Jarvis offers Tobias a deal if he can put George Sr. behind bars. But because Jarvis pans Tobias' acting, he angrily turns down their offer. But as he waits for the elevator, a flyer catches Tobias' eye: an advertisement for a scrap booking class. He thinks this will make a perfect gift for Maeby, not knowing the ad was actually a trap set by Jarvis.
Meanwhile, Michael goes to confront his father about G.O.B.'s trip to Iraq. George Sr. explains that he needs a way to get off the hook. Buster went into a coma, Lucille was taking Lindsay to rehab, he was running out of options. Michael complains that he will have to ask the prosecution for a delay, and then warns his family not to make a liar out of him by skipping rehab.
But Buster finds his coma increasingly hard to withstand. His mother offers his body to doctors, dentists and beauticians in training to practice very painful techniques on his supposedly unconscious body. But he endures it all for Adelaide, the nurse who fell in love with his limp form. When she tells Buster she wants to hear him say anything, even if that would mean he was faking the coma, he says "anything". Adelaide slaps him, calls him a coward and a faker and berates herself for allowing herself to fall in love with a comatose man. Buster tries to follow her as she runs off, but he has not used his legs in three weeks.
Michael meets with Wayne Jarvis, assuring him that no family members is in hiding. Jarvis informs him that surveillance tapes show that the two women who checked in to Shady Palms under Lindsey and Lucille's names are clearly not his relatives. Buster had made fifteen phone calls to radio stations while supposedly in a coma. Lastly, G.O.B. is in Iraq, being held in jail as an insurgent.
Michael is called to sign Buster out of the hospital. Buster is despondent over Adelaide calling him a coward. Michael tells him that he has to travel to Iraq to get G.O.B. out of prison. Buster begs Michael to let him come along. He can prove to Adelaide that he is a hero, and use his limited Army training and Arabic language skills to boot.
The depositions are delayed, but the prosecution is about to get a bagful of evidence, thanks to Tobias falling for their scrap booking sting. Meanwhile, Lindsay and Lucille are at a spa in the desert, avoiding both rehab and their depositions. Unfortunately, it is a dry resort.
Michael and Buster check out of the hospital. Adelaide overhears Buster mention their trip to Iraq, which makes her think Buster is a hero again. After saying goodbye to Adelaide, Michael and Buster leave for Iraq, on "Operation Hot Brother," as Buster calls it. As they leave, George Sr. is admitted to the hospital, now in a fake coma of his own.
George Michael, meanwhile, gets a hold of Maeby's address book to invite all of her friends to her secret Sweet 16. And the guys finally get to Iraq, arriving at the prison the Americans are training the Iraqis to run. G.O.B. is thrilled to see his brothers and informs Michael that he was arrested for doing street magic. But what got him in trouble was doing "the late, great Jesus' biggest illusion, the 'Burning Bush.'" When the bush caught fire, the crowd began chanting "Burn Bush!" and soon it looked like G.O.B. was leading an anti-American rally.
G.O.B. confesses to Michael that George Sr. asked him to burn a few model homes in Sadr City if he had the time, but now he is ready to go. Michael tells him he was deemed an enemy combatant, and perhaps is going anywhere for a while. But they are actually released quite easily, which arouses Michael's suspicions. Michael then decides to go check out one of the model homes in question.
There, they find somebody the U.S. government has been able to depose, one of Saddam's many body doubles who lives with many other body doubles. The men are quite polite, so Michael offers to fix their air conditioning. But first, he decides to see if this model home also has a secret room. It does, and inside, Michael finds a bombshell: an actual bombshell.
Back at the American model home, none of the invitees show for Maeby's birthday party. The invitations reading, "Guess Who's Turning 16?" have exposed Maeby's secret and cost her the studio job. Alone, Maeby and George Michael help themselves to some wine, not aware that it is the fake wine from G.O.B.'s magic show.
Back in Iraq, the Bluth boys stare at the nuclear warhead in the secret room. Their American cab driver, who is actually an undercover CIA agent by the name of Richard Shaw, comes in and busts them, which explains why it was so easy to get G.O.B. out of prison. In fact, they had given G.O.B. multiple chances to break out. Then one of the fake Saddams points out the warhead was a fake made by Homefill, the same company that made fake home decorations for the Bluth model home. But inside the hollow shell is a U.S. government tape recorder. Richard Shaw calls Langley, where he learns the government got George Sr. to build houses in Iraq so they could wire them.
Back home, George Michael and Maeby are "drunk" on fake wine. George Michael tries to console Maeby by telling her Lucille once confided that Lindsay never got pregnant. Maeby is touched by her cousin's kindness in arranging a surprise party for her and, because of this, as well as the possibility that they may not be cousins, the two end up passionately kissing and finally reach "second base".
In Iraq, Michael finally learns that his father actually was a patsy, used by the government through a British building company, just like George Sr. had always claimed. Unfortunately, now that they know this, the CIA agent is going to have to kill them. However, Buster has already sent cell phone pictures of everything to Adelaide. Michael hints that the pictures can be kept secret if they were set free. Richard Shaw agrees to let them go, and now in a bargaining position, the Bluth boys are able to negotiate direct flights home, and that the treason charges against George Sr. are dropped. And so, with Operation Hot Brother a success, they return home.
Episode notes
- This episode was the third of four episodes, a two-hour series finale that aired on Fox.
- This episode's title refers to the fact that the family is searching for a way out of their depositions, many people are seeking an exit strategy for the Iraq War, and the fact that it was indeed an "exit strategy" on behalf of the writers, as they had to write a conclusion for many storylines at once here (namely George Sr.'s "light treason" charges). The title is also a callback to a line from "Charity DriveCharity Drive"Charity Drive" is the fifth episode aired, though the sixth episode in DVD continuity, of TV comedy series Arrested Development.-Plot:...
". - This episode is the second episode where the Bluths go to a different country, the first being in "¡Amigos!¡Amigos!"¡Amigos!" is the 25th episode aired of TV comedy series Arrested Development.-Plot:Michael tells his brother Gob of his plans to take George Michael to Legoland for the weekend. Gob says he plans to hang out with some of his friends, though Michael doubts that he has any...
", when Michael, George Michael, Maeby, Lindsay, Ann and G.O.B. go to Mexico. - The scenes that take place in the Iraqi model home were shot on the same set as the original with some modifications. The footage was mirrored in post-production so that the layout of the two houses were opposite of each other.
Callbacks/running jokes
- Illusions When describing his Christian magic act to Michael, G.O.B. mentions that Michael has already seen his "walk on water" illusion, a reference to the ending of "The Ocean WalkerThe Ocean Walker"The Ocean Walker" is the 46th episode of TV comedy series Arrested Development.-Plot:Michael informs George Sr. and Lucille that he plans to marry Rita. Michael's parents are skeptical about his decision....
". - "Come on!" G.O.B. once again uses his catch phrase, ending all the flashbacks in Iraqi prison with it. G.O.B. first said "Come on!" this way in "Afternoon DelightAfternoon Delight (Arrested Development episode)"Afternoon Delight" is the 28th episode aired of TV comedy series Arrested Development.-Synopsis:Michael Bluth finds the frozen banana stand vandalized by teenagers, a local holiday tradition, and heads home to find his son, George Michael, to engage in their tradition of rebuilding the stand...
". - PhoenixPhoenix, ArizonaPhoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
G.O.B. mentions Phoenix, the destination Michael always threatens to flee to, when he demands business-class airplane tickets. - Duck George Michael ducks out of the way when Michael throws the keys at him. George Michael first did this in "NotapusyNotapusy"Notapusy" is the forty-fourth episode aired of the TV comedy series Arrested Development.-Synopsis:Michael Bluth is on his way to the office when he sees something he wasn't used to seeing before lunch: his sister, Lindsay. She has recently taken a job with the Bluth's lawyer, Bob Loblaw, as his...
". - Homefill Michael mentions that the bombshell is a Homefill, the company that makes fake items for model homes. Homefill was first mentioned in "Burning LoveBurning Love (Arrested Development episode)"Burning Love" is the 31st episode aired of TV comedy series Arrested Development.-Plot:George Michael asks his father if they have any music he can use for the Christian music bonfire which he and Ann are planning to host at the model home...
". - I'm No Scar (dot com) Saddam Hussein's plea of "I'm No Scar. Dot com," mirroring Oscar's "I'm Oscar. Dot com" plea in "The Cabin ShowThe Cabin Show"The Cabin Show" is the forty-first episode aired of the TV comedy series Arrested Development. It is the first episode of Season 3.-Synopsis:...
".- Fake sites from Fox were built for both www.imoscar.com and www.imnoscar.com; the latter mirrored the first one, with the exception of the fact that it was written in Arabic, and the pictures of Oscar and George Sr. were replaced with pictures of Saddam and the lookalike. The sites have since been taken down.
- The Arabic text on www.imnoscar.com was actually just meaningless gibberish written in Arabic text. Furthermore, the text on the website seemed to be written from left to right, while ArabicArabic languageArabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
is written from right to left. It is unclear whether this mistake was intentional. - No matter how many times www.imnoscar.com was visited, the counter at the bottom of the page always said you were the 4242 (number)42 is the natural number immediately following 41 and directly preceding 43. The number has received considerable attention in popular culture as a result of its central appearance in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy as the "Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and...
nd visitor.
- Ice Cream More references are made to the Bluths' love of ice cream.
- G.O.B. and Buster say that the bombshell in the model home makes them want to have an ice cream cone.
- Richard Shaw says "You'll have plenty of time for ice cream in prison. Ice cream sandwiches," referring to George Sr.'s love affair with ice cream sandwiches when he was in prison.
- When the Bluths are bargaining with Richard Shaw, Buster demands some ice cream.
- John WayneJohn WayneMarion Mitchell Morrison , better known by his stage name John Wayne, was an American film actor, director and producer. He epitomized rugged masculinity and became an enduring American icon. He is famous for his distinctive calm voice, walk, and height...
The hospital is named John Wayne General Hospital, a reference to Tobias earlier noting John Wayne naming airports after himself in the episode "Good GriefGood Grief"Good Grief" is the twenty-sixth episode aired of TV comedy series Arrested Development.-Plot:The bounty hunter that Michael hired has found George Sr. supposedly died in Mexico, and George Michael is dumped by his girlfriend, Ann. Maeby seeks advice from Barry Zuckerkorn on divorcing her parents...
." - Lucille's Fibs Lucille has invented numerous fibs in an effort to consume more alcohol, all of which she has passed on to Lindsay.
- Lindsay says that Vodka goes bad when it's opened.
- Maeby later says "Would it kill her to let some Vodka go bad?", to which George Michael replies "Oh no, Vodka doesn't..."
- Lindsay says that wine only turns into alcohol if you let it sit.
- Lindsay appears to think that grape juice might turn into wine if you take the top off it and let it sit.
- Robot G.O.B. calls Michael a robot when he realises he isn't crying. G.O.B. first said this about Michael in "The Cabin ShowThe Cabin Show"The Cabin Show" is the forty-first episode aired of the TV comedy series Arrested Development. It is the first episode of Season 3.-Synopsis:...
" and "S.O.B.s" - Soup Nazi In "For British Eyes OnlyFor British Eyes Only"For British Eyes Only" is the 42nd episode aired of the TV comedy series Arrested Development.-Synopsis:Michael Bluth and George Michael Bluth are having a last chance camp-out in the cabin before it is due to be moved. While they are sleeping, a returning George Sr. drives the cabin away for use...
" George Sr. had claimed about a meeting with Saddam Hussein that he thought it had been the Soup Nazi from SeinfeldSeinfeldSeinfeld is an American television sitcom that originally aired on NBC from July 5, 1989, to May 14, 1998, lasting nine seasons, and is now in syndication. It was created by Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld, the latter starring as a fictionalized version of himself...
. In this episode the actor who played the Soup Nazi, Larry Thomas, does in fact make an uncredited appearance as one of the Saddam impersonators. He plays the second impersonator who speaks. - Switch The people who check into Shady Pines under the names Lucille Bluth and Lindsay Fünke appear to be Lupe and a younger Latino woman, possibly Lupe's daughter.
- Lupe is wearing Lucille-style clothing, likely some of Lucille's actual clothes.
- The fake Lindsay that checks into Shady Pines is wearing Lindsay’s “Slut” shirt, first seen in "My Mother, the CarMy Mother, The Car"My Mother, the Car" is the seventh episode aired of TV comedy series Arrested Development.-Plot:Michael Bluth, fed up with his mother Lucille's extravagant spending, says she cannot throw a lavish birthday party for herself. But when Lindsay, prompted by Lucille, suggests a surprise party, Michael...
".
- "That's okay, try again" When any of the students who are practicing on Buster make a mistake, their teacher will encourage them, usually using the words "That's okay, try again." Later on, the Americans can be seen saying this to the Iraqis who they are training as soldiers.
- Tobias is gay Numerous jokes are made about Tobias' questionable sexuality.
- At the meeting with the prosecutor Wayne Jarvis, thinking it's an audition for a CBS TV show, Tobias recites: "A flower in my garden, a mystery in my panties." This is the ending of one of the vagina monologues.
- Tobias tells Lindsay that she looks "very handso..." before passing out.
- Tobias is wearing Maeby's suit, presumably unaware that it is a woman's suit, only made in a woman's size.
- "You here with me" When Maybe and George Michael begin making out, a Spanish guitar version of the song You Here With Me by Arrested Development composer David Schwartz is played. The song was previously used as theme to the romance between Michael and GOB's girlfriend Marta.
- "You're such a *bleep*" The scene where Buster is talking to Adelaide as he leaves the hospital directly mirrors the footage of "A Thoroughly Polite Dust-Up" from "NotapusyNotapusy"Notapusy" is the forty-fourth episode aired of the TV comedy series Arrested Development.-Synopsis:Michael Bluth is on his way to the office when he sees something he wasn't used to seeing before lunch: his sister, Lindsay. She has recently taken a job with the Bluth's lawyer, Bob Loblaw, as his...
". Both scenes have a nurse telling a soldier he's brave because of what he's fighting for, then saying "You're such a *bleep*." The ending of the scene in Notapusy had the soldier saying "When I miss your lips, I'll put a fag in my mouth and think of you." The ending to this scene has Buster saying "When I miss your lips, I’ll put a fig in my mouth and think of you."- In "NotapusyNotapusy"Notapusy" is the forty-fourth episode aired of the TV comedy series Arrested Development.-Synopsis:Michael Bluth is on his way to the office when he sees something he wasn't used to seeing before lunch: his sister, Lindsay. She has recently taken a job with the Bluth's lawyer, Bob Loblaw, as his...
", the actors in the "A Thoroughly Polite Dust-Up" footage are Tony HaleTony HaleTony Hale is an American actor, best known for his role in the Fox comedy series Arrested Development as the neurotic Byron "Buster" Bluth.-Early life:...
and Bronwen Masters, who play Buster and Nurse Adelaide, respectively.
- In "Notapusy
- George Michael says "Gangee once said to me, your mom might not have ever even been pregnant with you." Lucille had indeed told him this in "Beef ConsomméBeef Consommé"Beef Consommé" is the thirteenth episode aired of TV comedy series Arrested Development.-Plot:Michael Bluth, Lucille, George Sr., and their attorney, Barry Zuckerkorn meet at the prison to discuss George Sr.'s arraignment the next day. Barry tells them they should all show up and appear loving and...
". - Operation Hot Brother When Michael and Buster are in Iraq, Buster refers to the rescue operation as Operation Hot Brother. This is a callback to "Motherboy XXXMotherboy XXX"Motherboy XXX" is the thirty-fifth episode aired of TV comedy series Arrested Development.-Plot:"Michael Bluth got up early in the hopes of avoiding his family. His mother, however, was already dressed, made up and waiting for him...
" where Buster insists on having a codename for the rescue of George Michael from participating in Motherboy. He calls it "Operation Hot Mother", and though Michael thinks that is probably not a good idea, they never come up with a better name for it. - Wayne Jarvis' Dramatic Moment Continuing his string of dramatic revelations undercut by poor timing Jarvis tells Michael that his brother, Gob, "is on the news. Right now!" only to turn on the TV and have to wait several minutes to see the story about Gob being arrested in Iraq. Jarvis then says, "And imagine the impact if that had come on right when we turned on the TV!"
Hidden/background jokes
- Set Dressing After Tobias comments on how "incredibly detailed" Hollywood shows are, he opens the cupboard to reveal that there is nothing in there apart from a Starbucks coffee cup. George Michael opens another cupboard, which contains nothing but a Nature Valley granola bar.
- Ironically, all the other cupboards in the background appear to be quite well stocked.
- Flyers To the right of the scrapbooking flyer Tobias notices, is a flyer advertising "Self Hypnosis". It promises to help people quit smoking, lose weight, and "Rid your memory of that murder you com[mitted]." To the left is another flyer Tobias might be interested in as it suggests that if you "Learn Public Speaking" "You may even break into Hollywood!"
- Address Book The camera pans through Maeby’s address book which features: Grazer, B.; Grey, B.; Hilton, P.; Holt, S.; Howard, R.; and Kennedy, J.
- B. Grazer and R. Howard obviously refer to Brian GrazerBrian GrazerBrian Thomas Grazer is an Academy Award-winning American film and television producer who co-founded Imagine Entertainment in 1986 with Ron Howard. Together they have produced many acclaimed films, including Apollo 13 and A Beautiful Mind .- Career :Brian Grazer began his career as a producer...
and Ron HowardRon HowardRonald William "Ron" Howard is an American actor, director, and producer. He came to prominence as a child actor, playing Opie Taylor in the sitcom The Andy Griffith Show for eight years, and later the teenaged Richie Cunningham in the sitcom Happy Days for six years...
, producers of the show. Ron Howard (as the show's narrator) later comments that some guests didn't go to Maeby's party because "a lot of us just didn't want to drive down to Orange County", referring to himself for the first time in the series. - S. Holt refers to Steve Holt.
- P. Hilton, obviously, to Paris HiltonParis HiltonParis Whitney Hilton is an American businesswoman, heiress, and socialite. She is a great-granddaughter of Conrad Hilton . Hilton is known for her controversial participation in a sex tape in 2003, and appearance on the television series The Simple Life alongside fellow socialite and childhood...
. - B. Grey, refers to the chairman of Paramount, Brad GreyBrad GreyBrad Alan Grey is the Chairman and CEO of Paramount Pictures, a position he has held since 2005. Under Grey’s leadership, Paramount has finished No.2 in market share in 2008, 2009 and 2010 despite releasing significantly fewer films than its competitors.Since arriving at Paramount in 2005,...
. - J. Kennedy is Jamie KennedyJamie KennedyJames Harvey "Jamie" Kennedy is an American comedian, rapper, and actor.-Early life:Kennedy, the youngest of six children, was born in Upper Darby Township, a suburb of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His family is of Irish descent and he was raised Roman Catholic. He attended and graduated from...
. He previously made an appearance on the show in the season three episode "NotapusyNotapusy"Notapusy" is the forty-fourth episode aired of the TV comedy series Arrested Development.-Synopsis:Michael Bluth is on his way to the office when he sees something he wasn't used to seeing before lunch: his sister, Lindsay. She has recently taken a job with the Bluth's lawyer, Bob Loblaw, as his...
", where he was shown in a flashback bidding on Nicole KidmanNicole KidmanNicole Mary Kidman, AC is an American-born Australian actress, singer, film producer, spokesmodel, and humanitarian. After starring in a number of small Australian films and TV shows, Kidman's breakthrough was in the 1989 thriller Dead Calm...
's fake nose from The HoursThe Hours (film)The Hours is a 2002 drama film directed by Stephen Daldry, and starring Nicole Kidman, Meryl Streep, Julianne Moore and Ed Harris. The screenplay by David Hare is based on the 1999 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same title by Michael Cunningham....
for Maeby. He is also referenced as not being able to snowboard.
- B. Grazer and R. Howard obviously refer to Brian Grazer
- AdelaideAdelaideAdelaide is the capital city of South Australia and the fifth-largest city in Australia. Adelaide has an estimated population of more than 1.2 million...
In this episode, it is revealed that the name of Buster's Australian day nurse is Adelaide. Adelaide is a state capital in Australia. - Vegetables Adelaide says "Who said vegetables were good for your heart?" after she learns that Buster was faking his coma. When she refers to "vegetables," she is referring to people who are under a coma. (In the previous episode, Lindsay says, "Let's leave the fruits with the vegetables"; in a previous episode, Lindsay tells Michael "Mom asked me to bring her a tube of Vaga--TABLE paste" so George-Michael and Maeby won't know she's talking about Lucille and the warden having sexual relations.]
- Balboa Bay Window The cover of the issue shown has the article “It’s Worse For The Mother!” by Lucille Bluth. Looking closely enough at Buster in the picture, one can see that the photo was taken soon after the beautician that was experimenting on him had put too much collagen in his lips.
- Burning BushBurning bushThe burning bush is an object described by the Book of Exodus as being located on Mount Sinai; according to the narrative, the bush was on fire, but was not consumed by the flames, hence the name...
When G.O.B. is in Iraq performing illusions, he repeatedly fails at performing them. When setting up his next act, he says, "And now one of the late, great Jesus' greatest illusions, the Burning Bush!". However, Jesus had nothing to do with the burning bush; God revealed himself to Moses as a burning bush in the Old Testament of the Bible. - CIA File The CIA file says that George, Sr. is an “unintentional operative.” The full text reads: “Operative contacted to build housing in the country of Iraq for the purpose of extracting information within the confines of laws regarding the Patriot Act. Housing was built and prepared for surveillance with American Operatives. / Information extracted from surveillance devices has been retrieved and secured to be used as evidence in whatever case the United States government deems fit. / Operative Bluth cooperated fully with American and Iraqi agents believing them to be British Home Builders. / Normal activity was observed regarding business procedures that are in accord with U.S. business practices. O. Bluth was later suspected of treason however will be absolved of all guilt commencing the completion of Operation Hammad. / Evidence for Bluth file BT333 can be found in section 3 of the International Trade section of the Patriot Act files. / Bluth is currently aware he was utilized as a patsy for the government, not unlike every U.S. citizen. This is largely due to the Patriot Act as well.”
- Commercial When Wayne Jarvis is waiting for the news report, a commercial can be heard “... and they deliver insulin right to my door.” This commercial can also be heard in the next episode, "Development ArrestedDevelopment Arrested"Development Arrested" is the 53rd episode aired of the TV comedy series Arrested Development. It is the season finale for Season 3, as well as the series finale before the announcement of Season 4 over five years later.-Episode:...
". - "Connect a little" When Lindsay says she and Lucille can "connect a little," there's a brief pause, followed by Lucille saying "I must have a Xanax" and Lindsay suggesting "I’ll go score some weed from the staff."
- Just One More Season One of the Saddam look-alikes says that they "wanted to keep the house for just one more season," most likely referring to the Arrested Development writers, who felt the show had ended too early.
- Making Fun A "tipsy" George Michael can be seen holding a corkscrew to his sleeve, saying "Look, I'm Uncle Buster." This is a one of the few times George Michael has ever intentionally made fun of another family member in the series, the others being when he made a joke about George Sr. stocking up on "Get Out of Jail Free" cards in the pilot and when he insults GOB at the police station in Not Without My Daughter.
- RAM G.O.B says Michael may not have enough RAMRam-Animals:*Ram, an uncastrated male sheep*Ram cichlid, a species of freshwater fish endemic to Colombia and Venezuela-Military:*Battering ram*Ramming, a military tactic in which one vehicle runs into another...
to understand his brotherly love, a reference to him calling Michael a robot. - Richard Shaw The CIA Agent is credited as "Richard Shaw," an obvious play on the word "rickshaw" (Buster also rents out "the only rickshaw in Baghdad" when they arrive in Iraq).
- Secrets George Michael brings up Maeby after Michael says "You don't have any secrets." Realising that he may have revealed he has a secret involving Maeby, George Michael says "I was changing the subject. We— no, yeah, we weren't talking about Maeby."
- T.A.I. Friday's When Gob is being tasered during the burning bush demonstration, there is a sign for 'T.A.I Friday's' in the upper right hand corner of the screen on a nearby restaurant. T.A.I. Friday likely means 'Thank Allah It's Friday' a play on the US restaurant chain T.G.I. Friday's.
- True Lies When Michael discovers the nuclear warhead in the hidden room in Saddam's place, G.O.B and Buster comment on how it makes them want to have an icecream cone. This is a reference to True Lies where Harry identifies a nuclear warhead as a "snow cone maker".
Character cameos
- Richard BelzerRichard BelzerRichard Jay Belzer is an American stand-up comedian, author, and actor. He is perhaps best known for his role as John Munch, which he has portrayed as a regular cast member on the NBC police drama series Homicide: Life on the Street and Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, as well as in guest...
makes his second appearance on the show (he was briefly seen as a guest star in "S.O.B.s"), this time as "Professor" MunchJohn MunchSergeant John Munch is a fictional character played by actor Richard Belzer. Munch first appeared on Homicide: Life on the Street. Upon that series' cancellation, the character was transplanted to Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, the first spin-off of the Law & Order franchise...
, who is in fact part of a police sting operation. On both Law & Order: Special Victims UnitLaw & Order: Special Victims UnitLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit is an American police procedural television drama series set in New York City, where it is also primarily produced...
and Homicide: Life on the StreetHomicide: Life on the StreetHomicide: Life on the Street is an American police procedural television series chronicling the work of a fictional version of the Baltimore Homicide Unit. It ran for seven seasons on NBC from 1993 to 1999, and was succeeded by a TV movie, which also acted as the de-facto series finale...
he portrays Det. John Munch. In light of the appearance in "S.O.B.s" as himself, it's unclear if he is appearing as "himself" or Munch. If the appearance is as Det Munch than the entire series is subject to the Tommy WestphallTommy WestphallTommy Westphall, portrayed by Chad Allen, is a minor character from the drama television series St. Elsewhere, which ran on NBC from October 26, 1982, to May 25, 1988. Westphall, who is autistic, took on major significance in St. Elsewheres final episode, "The Last One," where the common...
Universe Hypothesis. - The Saddam Hussein lookalikes are played by Al No' Mani, David Kavandi and James Evans. The role of Achmed is uncredited.
- Wayne Jarvis makes his second (and final) appearance in Season 3. His first was in "Fakin' ItFakin' It (Arrested Development episode)"Fakin' It" is the fiftieth episode aired of TV comedy series Arrested Development.-Synopsis:Michael had received a witness list for his father's upcoming trial. The list included G.O.B.'s puppet, Franklin. The entire family was also on the list...
". This is the first time his Japanese assistant Cho (Mitsu) has a speaking role.
Foreshadowing/future references
- No Scar It is revealed at the end of the episode that Achmed (the Saddam look-alike with the scar on his face) is in fact the real Saddam, and the Saddam on trial is a look-alike. This is hinted at by the fact that Achmed is fixated on the trial, with a sinister look on his face. He also complains that "I do a better Saddam than this guy. My Saddam would show his teeth." This also refers to George Sr.'s tendency to replace himself with his twin brother Oscar (hence I'm No Scar) to avoid capture and his personal infatuation with the pristine quality of his teeth.
- Religious girlfriend G.O.B. mishears George Michael, thinking that he said "G.O.B. should be ashamed of himself," to which G.O.B. replies "How does he know about her?", hinting at the fact that G.O.B. is dating George Michael's ex-girlfriend, Ann.
- Adopted Lucille "mistakenly" gives Lindsay's age as 40. However, the next episode reveals that Lindsay is adopted and this is in fact her true age. In the next episode, Lindsay also thinks that she is 37, but she stated that she is 35 in this episode.
Sources
- The-OP.com
- FOX
- Quotes for this episode on WikiQuote