Meat the Veals
Encyclopedia
"Meat the Veals" is the 38th episode aired of the TV comedy series Arrested Development.
However, at the party, the family is surprisingly normal, to Michael's annoyance. He convinces George Michael not to go through with the pre-engagement. However, after Ann's mother starts kissing Michael on the balcony and George Michael sees this, he goes ahead with it. G.O.B., Franklin and George Sr. abduct Lucille (knocking her out with ether
put on G.O.B's puppet Franklin) and take her to the church in which Ann's father, a pastor, is presiding. The whole family arrives at the church, and two fights ensue — one between Oscar and George Sr. over Lucille and the other between Michael and Pastor Veal over Mrs. Veal. When the police arrive, George Sr. escapes wearing Tobias's Mrs. Featherbottom wig. George Michael talks Ann out of marrying him; however, Ann tries to convince George Michael to have sex together. Buster's hook hand gets confiscated by the police after a drug dog pounces on him (resulting in Buster using Franklin the puppet as a temporary substitute, despite Lucille's objection).
Plot
Oscar wants to throw Lucille a party to celebrate her wedding anniversary. He got the idea from Buster, who said that it would show how Oscar has been there for Lucille while George Sr. has been a fugitive. Upon hearing of the party, George Sr. concocts a plan to win back Lucille by renewing his vows. He enlists G.O.B. to abduct her and take her to Church of the Good Shepherd. Tobias continues to disguise himself as Mrs. Featherbottom, unaware that everyone knows that it is him. The others are taking advantage of this; Maeby is getting her ironing done, and Lucille uses him for catering. George Michael has decided to ask Ann if she will get pre-engaged to him. Michael is against the idea, and meets with Ann's parents, thinking that they will feel the same way. It turns out that they support the pre-engagement, so Michael invites the Veals to the party, thinking that they will see how dysfunctional the Bluths are.However, at the party, the family is surprisingly normal, to Michael's annoyance. He convinces George Michael not to go through with the pre-engagement. However, after Ann's mother starts kissing Michael on the balcony and George Michael sees this, he goes ahead with it. G.O.B., Franklin and George Sr. abduct Lucille (knocking her out with ether
Ether
Ethers are a class of organic compounds that contain an ether group — an oxygen atom connected to two alkyl or aryl groups — of general formula R–O–R'. A typical example is the solvent and anesthetic diethyl ether, commonly referred to simply as "ether"...
put on G.O.B's puppet Franklin) and take her to the church in which Ann's father, a pastor, is presiding. The whole family arrives at the church, and two fights ensue — one between Oscar and George Sr. over Lucille and the other between Michael and Pastor Veal over Mrs. Veal. When the police arrive, George Sr. escapes wearing Tobias's Mrs. Featherbottom wig. George Michael talks Ann out of marrying him; however, Ann tries to convince George Michael to have sex together. Buster's hook hand gets confiscated by the police after a drug dog pounces on him (resulting in Buster using Franklin the puppet as a temporary substitute, despite Lucille's objection).
Cultural references
- The narrator refers to Lindsay's middle toe as "Roast Beef", a reference to This Little PiggyThis Little Piggy"This Little Piggy" or "This little pig" is an English language nursery rhyme and fingerplay. It has a Roud Folk Song Index number of 19297.-Lyrics:The most common modern version is:-Origins:...
. - When George Michael asks Ann to pre-engage, he says, "And it would be great to hear back on this before the real hard AP stuff kicks in, you know?" referring to Advanced PlacementAdvanced Placement ProgramThe Advanced Placement program is a curriculum in the United States and Canada sponsored by the College Board which offers standardized courses to high school students that are generally recognized to be equivalent to undergraduate courses in college...
high schoolHigh schoolHigh school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
classes. - Franklin is based on the Sesame StreetSesame StreetSesame Street has undergone significant changes in its history. According to writer Michael Davis, by the mid-1970s the show had become "an American institution". The cast and crew expanded during this time, including the hiring of women in the crew and additional minorities in the cast. The...
puppet Roosevelt FranklinRoosevelt FranklinRoosevelt Franklin was a Muppet featured on the children's television series Sesame Street during the early 1970s. He is purple with shaggy black hair that stands on end. His name is word play on the name of US President Franklin Roosevelt...
, who first appeared in 1970. Roosevelt Franklin also was a singer and also released an album called The Year of Roosevelt Franklin. He was removed from the show when viewers complained that he presented a negative stereotype, much like Franklin Delano Bluth. Both share names similar to the former President Franklin D. RooseveltFranklin D. RooseveltFranklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
. - Legendary filmmaker Gregory Burton Bright has called this his favorite episode of the show.
Callbacks/running jokes
- Ann's Mother/Sister Twice in the episode Michael becomes offended/defensive when someone suggests Mrs Veal is young enough to look like Ann's sister. In fact Michael is commenting on the fact that Ann is so plain and her mother is not. He also asks Pastor Veal if he had re-married along the same thought line.
- Big Yellow Joint The song playing while Oscar smokes pot is a Banana Stand reference introduced in the season one episode "Pier Pressure".
- Censorship
- Much of Franklin's speech from the flashback of G.O.B.'s first act with Franklin is bleeped out.
- The joint that Oscar smokes from Buster's hook hand is digitally blurred out.
- Church of the Good Shepherd This is the church bus boarded by Bluth CompanyBluth CompanyThe Bluth Company, founded by George Bluth Sr., is a fictional company in the television series Arrested Development. As of the end of the series, the company was labeled as a Risky stock by Jim Cramer of Mad Money....
employees during "Staff InfectionStaff Infection"Staff Infection" is the fifteenth episode aired of TV comedy series Arrested Development.-Plot:Michael Bluth had begun working weekends, but he keeps up the weekly "bike ride" with son George Michael. He receives an emergency call from Lucille and heads over to her apartment...
". - Franklin G.O.B.'s African-American puppet appears for the first time.
- Forced kiss G.O.B. uses Franklin dipped in ether to knock out Lucille, Buster, and then accidentally himself.
- G.O.B. witnesses While driving his parents to the church, G.O.B. is worried that he might witness them having sex, as he did in "Visiting OursVisiting Ours"Visiting Ours" is the sixth episode aired, and the fifth episode in the DVD continuity of, the TV comedy series Arrested Development.-Plot:...
". - Her? George Sr. says the phrase as he is eavesdropping from the attic while George Michael and Lindsay discuss Ann. G.O.B. uses it when George Sr. says that he needs to recommit to Lucille. Maeby says it when she finds out that the attractive woman at the party is Ann's mom.
- Hey... Buster says "Hey, brother" to G.O.B., who responds in Franklin's voice, "Who you callin' 'brother', you hook-ass--" and Buster immediately finishes with "Mother!" upon seeing Lucille unconscious on the floor.
- Hook:
- Oscar uses Buster's hook hand as a roach clip (which Buster mistakes for Oscar kissing his hook hand).
- Upon seeing Buster's hook (as Buster lies unconscious on the kitchen floor), George Sr. remarks, "What the hell kind of puppet does Buster have on his hand?"
- Buster later uses Franklin as a hook substitute, after a police dog smells the marijuana that Oscar smoked from the hook and pounces on Buster.
- Buster also uses Franklin as a hook substitute during the "On the next Arrested Development..." when Lucille and Buster are in the living room. Lucille says, "They're not gonna let you in at the country club with that." To which Buster exclaims, as Franklin, "I don't want no part of your tight ass country club ya freak bitch!!"
- Maeby's job Previously she is seen reading the script for "Operation: Hot Mother". Later when she meets Ann's mom, she asks, "Who's the hottie? ... Does she look old enough to play Topher GraceTopher GraceChristopher John "Topher" Grace is an American actor. He is best known for his portrayal of Eric Forman on the Fox sitcom That '70s Show, Eddie Brock/Venom in the Sam Raimi film Spider-Man 3, and Edwin in the 2010 film Predators....
's mom?" - Mary PoppinsMary Poppins (film)Mary Poppins is a 1964 musical film starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke, produced by Walt Disney, and based on the Mary Poppins books series by P. L. Travers with illustrations by Mary Shepard. The film was directed by Robert Stevenson and written by Bill Walsh and Don DaGradi, with songs by...
Tobias as Mrs. Featherbottom attempts to float under an umbrella like Mary Poppins. - "Maybe he still is..."
- Oscar tells Buster that Lucille is throwing an anniversary party for George Sr. Buster asks, "My father?" and Oscar responds, "Yes?... I mean, yes."
- Oscar mentions that Buster should bring up the fact that his father isn't here, and when Oscar says "Maybe he is" both Lucille and Buster roll their eyes.
- Oscar once again mentions that maybe Buster's father still is there, but Michael interrupts with "Shut up!" Oscar responds (rather slowly), "Oh, you shut up!"
- "Marry me!" Maeby uses her standard deflection, though regrets it after someone actually accepts. She also says "babysit me!" while trying to convince a security guard that she is younger than 15.
- Mrs. Featherbottom Tobias appears several times disguised as a British nanny.
- Outdated shirt As Mrs. Featherbottom, Tobias wears a "BushGeorge W. BushGeorge Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
/CheneyDick CheneyRichard Bruce "Dick" Cheney served as the 46th Vice President of the United States , under George W. Bush....
2000United States presidential election, 2000The United States presidential election of 2000 was a contest between Republican candidate George W. Bush, then-governor of Texas and son of former president George H. W. Bush , and Democratic candidate Al Gore, then-Vice President....
" sweatshirt. This is a reference to Lupe, as well as Lucille's other housekeepers, wearing outdated shirts. - Rape Horn: Buster blows Lucille's rape horn when G.O.B. knocks him out with Franklin's ether-soaked lips.
- Tobias is gay
- As Mrs. Featherbottom, he asks if anyone would like a "banger in the mouth", referring to sausages. He then quickly corrects himself, saying that he forgot that he was in the states, where it is referred to as a "sausage in the mouth".
- Also as Mrs. Featherbottom, he mentions that he's "stuffing the mushrooms".
- "The mere fact that..." Michael uses this line when he is trying to convince George Michael not to get pre-engaged to Ann.
- "What you're tryin' to say to me" The music that plays while Ann begs George Michael to teach her "the ways of the secular flesh" is the same as that played when he learned that he would be sharing a room with Maeby in the pilotPilot (Arrested Development episode)"Pilot" constitutes the first episode and the series premiere of the Fox sitcom Arrested Development. The episode originally aired on November 2, 2003. George Sr. is about to announce his retirement when he is arrested for using his company's funds for personal expenses...
, complete with a zoom-in on his worried reaction. The name of this song is "Gonna Get Together" by Leroy.
Hidden/background jokes
- Come on! The song that plays when Franklin is introduced and subsequently appears has the lyrics "Come on!", which is G.O.B.'s catchphrase.
- "He's aggressive!" Franklin is handcuffed on top of the limo soon after the cops mistake him for an aggressive suspect.
- Mrs. Featherbottom
- When Maeby mentions that she needs Mrs. Featherbottom to iron her blouse, Tobias defends the housekeeper and accidentally slips into character, saying that Maeby should have mentioned it to her before she changed out of her "bloody work clothes".
- Tobias races upstairs and comes back down dressed as Mrs. Featherbottom. He had been previously shown changing outfits in the attic in "Sword of DestinySword of Destiny"Sword of Destiny" is the 37th episode aired of TV comedy series Arrested Development.-Synopsis:Michael Bluth is stunned to discover that a contract his company was counting on is being cut back, and is on the phone trying to persuade the client to honor the original order when Lindsay marches in...
".
- Operation Hot Mother Maeby is reading a script for a film entitled Operation Hot Mother, the same name used by Buster in "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...
". - Exit Sign When the cops rush in to the Chapel while Lucille and George are renewing their vows, there is an exit sign, which is typically seen over a door, at ankle-level to the left of Buster.
Foreshadowing/Future References
- Mrs Featherbottom driving her British car into oncoming traffic. Michael and others frequently drive into oncoming traffic in Wee Britain in Season 3.
Cameos
- Simon HelbergSimon HelbergSimon Maxwell Helberg is an American actor and comedian. He is best known for his role as Howard Wolowitz in the sitcom The Big Bang Theory. In its fourth season, he also appeared on the sketch comedy series MADtv for five episodes...
(formerly a MADtvMADtvMADtv is an American sketch comedy television series. It licensed the name and logo of Mad, but otherwise had no connection with the humor magazine outside the animated Spy vs. Spy and Don Martin cartoon shorts and images of Alfred E. Neuman that the show featured during the late 1990s. Its first...
feature player and now known from the popular CBS sitcom The Big Bang TheoryThe Big Bang TheoryThe Big Bang Theory is an American sitcom created by Chuck Lorre and Bill Prady, both of whom serve as executive producers on the show, along with Steven Molaro. All three also serve as head writers...
) plays Jeff in the scenes at Maeby's workplace. - Alan TudykAlan TudykAlan Wray Tudyk is an American actor known for his roles as Simon in the British comedy Death at a Funeral, as Steve the Pirate in DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story, as Sonny in the science fiction drama I, Robot, as Doc Potter in 3:10 to Yuma, as Tucker in the Tucker & Dale vs Evil and as Hoban...
appears as Pastor Veal; Ann's father. - Ione SkyeIone SkyeIone Skye Lee is an English-born American actress, who became a teen idol after the 1989 movie Say Anything.... In 2006 VH1 placed her at number 84 in the "100 Greatest Teen Stars" list.-Early life:...
appears as Mrs. Veal; Ann's mother.