Family Ties (Arrested Development episode)
Encyclopedia
"Family Ties" is the fifty-first episode aired of the TV comedy series Arrested Development.
G.O.B. enters, complaining that his religious girlfriend dumped him after he suggested a "Holy Trinity," which he thought was a threesome.
Uninterested in G.O.B.'s relationship troubles, Michael asks him if he remembers growing up with a sister. Despite Lindsay sitting right in front of him, he does not.
Upstairs, George-Michael breaks the news to Maeby that their fake hospital wedding was real and shows the marriage certificate he got in the mail. He wants it framed; she wants it destroyed.
Deciding to find out more about Nellie, Michael went to see his parents. In Buster's room, he finds George Sr. surrounded by computer equipment from the Bluth Company's office and worries that George Sr. is on one of his "Black Friday" firing sprees. Actually, he's trying to delete the hard-drives on the company's computers with an electromagnet. Lucille complains to Michael that she knows Buster is faking his coma (although she doesn't know that the reason was that he had fallen for his nurse). All Michael gets when he asks about "Nellie" is another dig about Tobias.
Michael returns to an office full of old computers and paranoid employees; he assures the employees, who had not received pay, that they won't be fired. Investigating the old machines, Michael finds an old Kay-Pro computer containing what he thinks is information on his missing sister. Unfortunately, Tobias arrives from the gym dripping with sweat and shorts out the PC. Michael is upset that he won't be able to copy Nellie's phone number from the unit, until Tobias tells him to hit the "print screen" key and print out whatever had been showing on the screen. Then Tobias tells Michael that he's attracted to the female trainer as his gym, who is also named Michael.
While visiting Buster in the hospital, Lucille finds Rep. John Van Heusen standing besides Buster's bed, protecting his right to life. He claims that he was tipped off earlier in the day by someone who wanted to save Buster. That somebody was actually Buster himself.
Meanwhile, Michael's search for Nellie turns up "Frank," an acquaintance of hers, who sets up a meeting for them at a hotel bar. Michael feels a connection with Nellie that he has never felt with another family member. The next day Michael introduces Nellie to the company staff. As they still haven't been paid they aren't happy to see her, but he encourages them to take full advantage of Nellie's "expertise." As Michael leaves for more important business, Nellie specifies exactly what kind of work she will do for them. Michael plans to tell Nellie that he thinks she's his sister over drinks that evening. Lindsay also plans to have drinks, but with a man other than her husband.
Michael arrives for his meeting with Nellie, only to find Tobias waiting for his trainer, "Michael". He soon realizes that the "Girl-Michael" Tobias was there to meet was actually a man. Upstairs, Nellie confesses that she's mildly attracted to Michael, but it's a setup for Michael to be confronted by her pimp, Frank. Recognizing the pimp's voice, Michael turns on the lights and discovers Franklin, voiced by his brother G.O.B. Franklin informs Michael that Nellie is a prostitute, and Michael reveals that he thinks she is their sister. Downstairs at the bar, Lindsay arrives for her date and finds Tobias sitting with fitness trainer "Michael", whom she was also there to meet: Fitness trainer "Michael" was under the assumption that the two had wanted a "Holy Trinity."
Michael confronts his father about Nellie. George Sr. insists that Nellie is his prostitute, not his daughter. When Michael says he gave Nellie access to the "N. Bluth" account earlier, George Sr. rushes to his computer to try to close the account. But it's too late: the account has been emptied.
The next day, Michael heads to the office to tell the employees that they'll be fired after all. Fortunately for Michael, Nellie used the "N. Bluth" account money to pay herself and the employees and upgrade the company's computers; she tells Michael that "It's only embezzlement if the money is spent outside the company." Impressed by her handling of the situation, Michael offers Nellie a job at the Bluth company, but she declines. After all, she made $300,000 last year.
Synopsis
Michael thinks he has made a shocking discovery when he finds a picture of himself as a baby with a girl named "Nellie." He shows it to Lindsay and they theorize that their parents had given up Nellie years before and were now trying to pin the family's crimes on her--the mysterious "N. Bluth." During their discussion, Tobias enters the kitchen ready for a day of bulking up at the gym to Lindsay would find him more attractive. Tobias and Lindsay had made an awkward attempt at lovemaking the night before, but Lindsay was turned-off by Tobias' lack of masculinity (and Tobias was turned-off by Lindsay's lack of masculinity). They decided to try again in 31 days--after exchanging a list of "can't"s and "won't"s.G.O.B. enters, complaining that his religious girlfriend dumped him after he suggested a "Holy Trinity," which he thought was a threesome.
Uninterested in G.O.B.'s relationship troubles, Michael asks him if he remembers growing up with a sister. Despite Lindsay sitting right in front of him, he does not.
Upstairs, George-Michael breaks the news to Maeby that their fake hospital wedding was real and shows the marriage certificate he got in the mail. He wants it framed; she wants it destroyed.
Deciding to find out more about Nellie, Michael went to see his parents. In Buster's room, he finds George Sr. surrounded by computer equipment from the Bluth Company's office and worries that George Sr. is on one of his "Black Friday" firing sprees. Actually, he's trying to delete the hard-drives on the company's computers with an electromagnet. Lucille complains to Michael that she knows Buster is faking his coma (although she doesn't know that the reason was that he had fallen for his nurse). All Michael gets when he asks about "Nellie" is another dig about Tobias.
Michael returns to an office full of old computers and paranoid employees; he assures the employees, who had not received pay, that they won't be fired. Investigating the old machines, Michael finds an old Kay-Pro computer containing what he thinks is information on his missing sister. Unfortunately, Tobias arrives from the gym dripping with sweat and shorts out the PC. Michael is upset that he won't be able to copy Nellie's phone number from the unit, until Tobias tells him to hit the "print screen" key and print out whatever had been showing on the screen. Then Tobias tells Michael that he's attracted to the female trainer as his gym, who is also named Michael.
While visiting Buster in the hospital, Lucille finds Rep. John Van Heusen standing besides Buster's bed, protecting his right to life. He claims that he was tipped off earlier in the day by someone who wanted to save Buster. That somebody was actually Buster himself.
Meanwhile, Michael's search for Nellie turns up "Frank," an acquaintance of hers, who sets up a meeting for them at a hotel bar. Michael feels a connection with Nellie that he has never felt with another family member. The next day Michael introduces Nellie to the company staff. As they still haven't been paid they aren't happy to see her, but he encourages them to take full advantage of Nellie's "expertise." As Michael leaves for more important business, Nellie specifies exactly what kind of work she will do for them. Michael plans to tell Nellie that he thinks she's his sister over drinks that evening. Lindsay also plans to have drinks, but with a man other than her husband.
Michael arrives for his meeting with Nellie, only to find Tobias waiting for his trainer, "Michael". He soon realizes that the "Girl-Michael" Tobias was there to meet was actually a man. Upstairs, Nellie confesses that she's mildly attracted to Michael, but it's a setup for Michael to be confronted by her pimp, Frank. Recognizing the pimp's voice, Michael turns on the lights and discovers Franklin, voiced by his brother G.O.B. Franklin informs Michael that Nellie is a prostitute, and Michael reveals that he thinks she is their sister. Downstairs at the bar, Lindsay arrives for her date and finds Tobias sitting with fitness trainer "Michael", whom she was also there to meet: Fitness trainer "Michael" was under the assumption that the two had wanted a "Holy Trinity."
Michael confronts his father about Nellie. George Sr. insists that Nellie is his prostitute, not his daughter. When Michael says he gave Nellie access to the "N. Bluth" account earlier, George Sr. rushes to his computer to try to close the account. But it's too late: the account has been emptied.
The next day, Michael heads to the office to tell the employees that they'll be fired after all. Fortunately for Michael, Nellie used the "N. Bluth" account money to pay herself and the employees and upgrade the company's computers; she tells Michael that "It's only embezzlement if the money is spent outside the company." Impressed by her handling of the situation, Michael offers Nellie a job at the Bluth company, but she declines. After all, she made $300,000 last year.
Episode notes
- The episode title, "Family Ties" has multiple meanings: It references the 1980s sitcom of the same name starring Justine BatemanJustine BatemanJustine Tanya Bateman is an American actress, writer, and producer. She is best known for her regular role as Mallory Keaton on the sitcom Family Ties...
, also the fact that star Jason BatemanJason BatemanJason Kent Bateman is an American television and film actor. After appearing in several 1980s and 1990s sitcoms including It's Your Move, and The Hogan Family, Bateman came to prominence in the early 2000s for playing Michael Bluth on Arrested Development, for which he won a TV Land, a Golden...
and guest star Justine BatemanJustine BatemanJustine Tanya Bateman is an American actress, writer, and producer. She is best known for her regular role as Mallory Keaton on the sitcom Family Ties...
are siblings. Additionally, it references the plot of the episode.
Callbacks/running jokes
- Banner During the office party that Nellie throws for the workers, a banner reading "Workers Love Nellie" can be seen. This is a callback to the "Family Love Michael" banner from "Forget-Me-NowForget-Me-Now"Forget-Me-Now" is the 43rd episode aired of the TV comedy series Arrested Development.-Synopsis:Michael, G.O.B., Lindsay and Tobias are meeting with the family's new attorney, Bob Loblaw, at the model home regarding the family's legal situation...
", and the "Michael Love Marry" banner from "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....
". This time, however, the banner could be grammatically correct. - Bleeps Nellie's speech to the Bluth Company employees listing her "ground rules" is almost entirely bleeped, and mirrors the sexual harassment speech given by G.O.B. 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...
". - Boyfights Buster refers to himself as "Baby Buster", the name used for him in the Boyfights videos George Sr. marketed from "Making a Stand". Lucille later states that no one has called him that since High School.
- "Excuse me, Judge Reinhold" Call back to the previous episode, "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...
", where the Bluths took part in a pilot for a courtroom television show with Judge ReinholdJudge ReinholdJudge Reinhold is an American actor, perhaps best known for co-starring in movies such as Beverly Hills Cop, Ruthless People, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, and The Santa Clause trilogy.-Early life:...
presiding. - Faker Lucille calls Buster a faker, a name which comes up several times in future episode "Exit Strategy". It was also used in the previous episode, "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...
". - "Her?" When Michael sees Tobias's "date," he asks, "Him?"
- Bar Music When Lindsey and Tobias meet Girl Michael at the bar, the music playing in the background was first heard in the first season of the show, when G.O.B. defiantly throws a letter into the sea.
- "I did" G.O.B. lying about sex, and the narrator calling him on it, mirrors the scenes with G.O.B.'s wife from "Altar EgosAltar Egos"Altar Egos" is the seventeenth episode aired of TV comedy series Arrested Development.-Plot:Michael Bluth and family gather to discuss George Sr.’s upcoming trial. They've received a plea offer, but lawyer Barry Zuckerkorn hasn’t read it yet because he is too busy picking up cross-dressing...
" and "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...
", and Starla from "The One Where They Build a HouseThe One Where They Build a House"The One Where They Build a House" is the twenty-fourth episode aired of TV comedy series Arrested Development.-Plot:Michael plans to save the Bluth Company by beginning construction on a new model home and holding a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Gob, now president-in-name-only of the company, promises...
". - Ignorance Michael misses Nellie's not-so-subtle hints that she is a prostitute, just as he missed Maggie Lizer's (pretend) blindness, and Rita's (real) mental condition.
- Illusions G.O.B. refers to Nellie as a girl who "turns illusions." ("Turning tricks" is slang for prostitution. Ironically, G.O.B. insists on calling his performances illusions for this very reason; in the series pilot, when Michael refers to his "magic tricks," G.O.B. corrects him, "Not tricks, Michael, illusions. A trick is something a whore does for money." Then, seeing a group of children watching in shock, he adds, "Or candy!" (Cocaine in the Extended pilot))
- "Marry Me!" Michael uses Maeby's deflection at the end of the episode when Nellie tells him how much money she makes.
- Mr. F When Franklin is discovered, the "Mr. FMr. F"Mr. F" is the forty-fifth episode aired of the TV comedy series Arrested Development.-Synopsis:Michael Bluth sneaks out of work to see a British film, "Love Indubitably," with Rita, his English girlfriend. Afterwards, they come upon a toy store, and Rita tells Michael he should buy a train set for...
" theme plays in the background. It is also played when Lindsay reminds Michael of the Mr F incident. - Oscar When George Sr. asks if Michael has seen Oscar, he is planning to use his brother to escape prison, as he did in "Righteous Brothers" and "Prison Break-InPrison Break-In"Prison Break-In" is the forty-seventh episode aired of TV comedy series Arrested Development.-Synopsis:Michael Bluth pays an unexpected visit to his mother. Lucille figures he wants something, since he has been ignoring the family in favor of Rita...
". - Tobias is gay Tobias comments that he'd be more attracted to Lindsay if she were more masculine.
- Lucille and George Sr. call Tobias a woman, and refer to him as "Nellie", as does the maitre d' at the hotel bar.
- Tobias mentions being "jacked up on amylPoppersPoppers is a slang term for various alkyl nitrites inhaled for recreational purposes, particularly isopropyl nitrite and isobutyl nitrite , and now more rarely, butyl nitrite and amyl nitrite...
and disco music", two things stereotypically related to homosexual men. - Tobias asks Michael for a "jaw session."
- Tobias insinuates that he would be willing to date Michael in the future ("Flattered? Yes. Interested? Not tonight.").
- Tobias goes on a date with someone named Michael who is, presumably, a man.
- Upon seeing Michael's "KAYPRO" computer, Tobias comments, "Oh, K-Y Pro, huh?" This is a reference to K-Y JellyK-Y JellyK-Y Jelly is a water-based, water-soluble personal lubricant produced by Johnson & Johnson. According to the company, "The origins of the brand name 'K-Y' are unknown...
, a lubricant often associated with gay men. - After Michael says, "I can't stand to hear one more lie out of this family," Tobias enters in the background and says, referring to Lindsay, "There's the woman I'm sexually attracted to", after which Michael says "Okay, but that's the last one".
- Tobias calls sex 'heterosexual intercourse.' Michael corrects him and says that he can just call it intercourse.
Hidden/background jokes
- Buster's Hand Buster's hook becomes attached to George Sr.'s magnet.
- Holy Trinity G.O.B. mistakes the religious term "Holy trinity" for a threesome. Later on, Girl Michael refers to a threesome as this.
- Penus G.O.B.'s program on Michael's Kaypro 10KayproKaypro Corporation, commonly called Kaypro, was an American home/personal computer manufacturer of the 1980s. The company was founded by Non-Linear Systems to develop computers to compete with the then-popular Osborne 1 portable microcomputer...
computer is the word "PENUS" repeated over and over. - Slut Careful examination of Nellie's profile on George Sr.'s computer reveals that she is a "conSLUTant", not "conSULTant." This is a hint to Nellie's true profession.
- There is also a picture of Nellie in ASCII artASCII artASCII art is a graphic design technique that uses computers for presentation and consists of pictures pieced together from the 95 printable characters defined by the ASCII Standard from 1963 and ASCII compliant character sets with proprietary extended characters...
, a note: "Call on Weekdays, Tough Negotiator" and a phone number: 310-555-0057.
- There is also a picture of Nellie in ASCII art
- "Weird on so many levels" Michael's comment after asking Nellie to marry him is in reference to Justine Bateman being Jason's real life sister, and Michael believing that Nellie is his sister in the show.
- In the background of George Michael and Maeby's marriage certificate, where the State Seal of CaliforniaSeal of CaliforniaThe Great Seal of the State of California was adopted at the California state Constitutional Convention of 1849 and has undergone minor design changes since then, the last being the standardization of the seal in 1937...
should be, there is instead a picture of GovernorGovernor of CaliforniaThe Governor of California is the chief executive of the California state government, whose responsibilities include making annual State of the State addresses to the California State Legislature, submitting the budget, and ensuring that state laws are enforced...
Arnold SchwarzeneggerArnold SchwarzeneggerArnold Alois Schwarzenegger is an Austrian-American former professional bodybuilder, actor, businessman, investor, and politician. Schwarzenegger served as the 38th Governor of California from 2003 until 2011....
. - When Lucille realizes her necklace was not actual gold, George Sr. replies that it wasn't really her 50th birthday, a reference to traditional wedding anniversaryWedding anniversary-Official recognition:In the Commonwealth realms, one can receive a message from the monarch for 60th, 65th, and 70th wedding anniversaries, and any wedding anniversary after that...
gifts. - Nellie finishes Michael's sentence at the end of the episode.
- A number of classic computers can be identified in the Bluth Co. office, including the Commodore PETCommodore PETThe Commodore PET was a home/personal computer produced from 1977 by Commodore International...
, Osborne 1Osborne 1The Osborne 1 was the first commercially successful portable microcomputer, released on April 3, 1981 by Osborne Computer Corporation. It weighed 10.7 kg , cost USD$ 1795, and ran the then-popular CP/M 2.2 operating system...
, Apple IIApple IIThe Apple II is an 8-bit home computer, one of the first highly successful mass-produced microcomputer products, designed primarily by Steve Wozniak, manufactured by Apple Computer and introduced in 1977...
and Kaypro 10KayproKaypro Corporation, commonly called Kaypro, was an American home/personal computer manufacturer of the 1980s. The company was founded by Non-Linear Systems to develop computers to compete with the then-popular Osborne 1 portable microcomputer...
, which Michael uses. However, many of them have their brand labels removed. - When a reference is made to Mr. F, Michael replies "that was retarded" a callback to his relationship with Rita.
Character cameos
- Justine BatemanJustine BatemanJustine Tanya Bateman is an American actress, writer, and producer. She is best known for her regular role as Mallory Keaton on the sitcom Family Ties...
, Jason BatemanJason BatemanJason Kent Bateman is an American television and film actor. After appearing in several 1980s and 1990s sitcoms including It's Your Move, and The Hogan Family, Bateman came to prominence in the early 2000s for playing Michael Bluth on Arrested Development, for which he won a TV Land, a Golden...
's real-life sister guest stars in this episode as Nellie, a woman who Michael believes might be his own long-lost sister. Jason Bateman mentioned in several interviews prior to this episode, that he wanted to have his sister guest star as a potential love interest. His final words after saying "Marry me!" are "That is weird on so many levels", which is a reference to the fact that he had just asked his real sister to marry him. - Bluth Company employee Tom makes another appearance in the show. He had previously appeared 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...
", "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 "Making a StandMaking a Stand"Making a Stand" is the forty-eighth episode aired of the TV comedy series Arrested Development.-Synopsis:At a meeting at the Bluth Company, Michael tries to follow his father's wish that Gob be included in the business...
". Tom is played by writer Tom Saunders ("Forget-Me-NowForget-Me-Now"Forget-Me-Now" is the 43rd episode aired of the TV comedy series Arrested Development.-Synopsis:Michael, G.O.B., Lindsay and Tobias are meeting with the family's new attorney, Bob Loblaw, at the model home regarding the family's legal situation...
").
Foreshadowing/future references
- Nellie Bluth In "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:...
", we learn that the "Nellie" from the photo was, in fact, Lindsay, who was adopted into the family at the age of three. Several hints to this are made in this episode.- Several comments are made about the size of Nellie's nose in the photo, most of which come from Lindsay herself. The fact that Lindsay has had plastic surgery on her nose has been stated several times on the show in the past.
- When asked about having a sister, G.O.B. doesn't mention Lindsay.
- Michael mentions that siblings can finish each other's sentences, and Lindsay is unable to do this with Michael. Interestingly, Tobias and Lindsay finish Michael's sentence the same way (sandwiches). [Even more, this is a play on the repeated joke of Gob stealing and eating Michael's sandwiches when one enters the room with the other eating.]
- Nellie's picture in the computer printout bears a resemblance to Lindsay's picture under the entry of "hermosa" in the Spanish-English dictionary shown in the season 1 episode "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...
". - In the episode "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....
" George Michael states that California does not allow cousins to marry, yet he and Maeby are legally married.
- Religious girlfriend Although we see the woman who slaps G.O.B., we never get a look at the other person he's talking to. In "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:...
", it is revealed that the off-screen girl is in fact Ann Veal. - Frank is Franklin Frank's real identity is hinted when he says that he "ain't no dummy" and "you're gonna feel my hand up your ass" during a phone conversation with Michael.
Goofs
- Birthdays According to the marriage certificate, George Michael was born on November 2, 1990 and Maeby was born on September 22, 1990. However, in "Hand to God", George Michael said that he was older than Maeby, and in "S.O.B.sS.O.B.s"S.O.B.s" is the forty-ninth episode of the TV comedy series Arrested Development. The episode aired less than a month after Variety announced that the episode order for season 3 had been cut from 22 to 13...
" he says his age is 16 when introducing himself at his new school. Also, this would make their characters only 15 years old in this episode, which contradicts information given in previous episodes. - Marriage certificate Mothers' names on marriage certificates are typically required to be maiden, rather than married names; thus, for Maeby's mother, it should have listed Lindsay Bluth, not Lindsay Fünke, and George Michael's mother Tracy would not have been listed as Tracy Bluth. Her maiden name was not otherwise revealed.
- The marriage certificate lists the address as “1 Lucille Lane / Newport Coast, CA 92606”. The zip code 92606, however, actually lies in Irvine, a neighboring city of Newport Beach (of which Newport Coast is a part).