The Bluth family are a terrible family of terrible people. In the first season of Arrested Development, straight-man Michael reluctantly takes over control of his father’s company after George Senior is imprisoned for tax evasion, finding himself being drawn back in by his family’s antics despite his moral objections.
Throughout Arrested Development, the characters constantly find themselves in insane situations caused by their ethically questionable decisions. George and Lucille set a terrible example as the patriarch and matriarch of the family, and their children more than live up their parents actions as the series progresses. Here are the worst things each member of the Bluth family from Arrested Development has done.
George: Working With Saddam Hussein
Arrested Development begins with family patriarch George Bluth in deep trouble. After being imprisoned on charges of tax evasion, Michael takes over the family company only to uncover that his father had been building houses in Iraq whilst partnered with Saddam Hussein.
George expresses no remorse for his unpatriotic actions. The only time he comes close to feeling guilt for his actions is when is facing life in prison, preparing to face the consequences of his actions for the first time.
Lucille: Forcing Buster Into A ‘Coma’
Lucille Bluth is not the best mother in the world. She has openly stated that she doesn’t care for Gob and seems to barely tolerate Michael and Lindsay, constantly criticizing her daughter and keeping her adoption a secret.
Buster is the only child who Lucille seems to care about and even he is not safe from her neglect. In an effort to prevent him from testifying at George’s funeral, Lucille forces Buster into a ‘coma’ as she does not want him to reveal that she was the mastermind behind the majority of George’s crimes. The Bluth matriarch even threatens to cut her son’s feeding tube when his hospital bills become too expensive.
Michael: Being Weirdly Possessive Of George Michael
Michael and Lindsay Bluth have different approaches to parenting that have proved equally as damaging. Whereas Lindsay is rarely in her daughter’s life, Michael clings to his son in a way that is overly possessive and unhealthy.
This is evident when George-Michael begins dating Ann. Michael makes no effort to get to know his son’s girlfriend, even leaving her in Mexico accidentally, and is visibly jealous at having to share his son’s time and attention.
Lindsay: Abandoning Her Daughter
Lindsay may rightfully criticise her adopted mother Lucille for her negligent parenting, but ultimately she is no better. Throughout Arrested Development, she is shown to be distant and flippant towards her daughter Maeby, who acts out repeatedly just for attention.
When Lindsay leaves Tobias to live on an ostrich farm with new squeeze Marky Bark in season four, she doesn’t spare a thought for her daughter, making no effort to remain in contact with Maeby and never noticing that she has repeatedly failed high school in an attempt to gain her attention.
Gob: Nearly Marrying His Nephew’s Girlfriend
Gob makes a number of bad decisions throughout Arrested Development, but dating his nephew’s teenage girlfriend Ann is one of his most callous choices. George-Michael punches his uncle in the face for his actions, though this ultimately does not deter Gob, who nearly marries Ann in an elaborate ‘magical’ ceremony.
Gob pretends to be a devout Christian to gain the trust of Ann and her family, before performing a magic trick at the altar that goes terribly wrong. Gob nearly dies after being trapped under a rock, leading Ann to believe he has abandoned her.
Buster: Dating Lucille 2
Buster is the youngest of George and Lucille’s children, and is revealed during the series to actually be the result of an affair between Lucille and George’s identical twin brother Oscar. He is easily Lucille’s favorite and has been coddled and cared for throughout his life, sharing an uncomfortable Freudian relationship with his mother.
Buster and Lucille’s questionable relationship is highlighted when Buster begins dating Lucille 2, an older woman and frenemy of Lucille. Buster sees another maternal figure in Lucille 2 and pursues a sexual relationship with her when his mother rejects him.
George-Michael: Making Out With His Cousin
George-Michael is arguably the least despicable member of the Bluth family, but even he has his flaws. After meeting his cousin Maeby for the first time, the young Bluth member becomes besotted with his cousin and pursues a sexual relationship with her despite knowing they are related.
George-Michael and Maeby share a kiss before parting ways. He dates Ann for a while in an effort to distract himself from his incestuous feelings, though this also ends in disaster after Ann gets engaged to his uncle, Gob.
Maeby: Pimping Out Her Mother
Maeby has a tumultuous relationship with her parents. Despite her drastic pleas for attention, Tobias and Lindsay remain oblivious to their daughter, too absorbed with their own lives to take any notice of her outlandish antics.
In season four, Maeby pimps out her unwitting mother after Herbert Love’s assistant overhears her daughter making a derogatory remark about Lindsay. This occurs after Maeby dresses up as a shaman to fool her mother after Lindsay travels to India for spiritual enlightenment.
Tobias: Running Away With DeBrie
Lindsay is not the only person to abandon her family in season four. Tobias also deserts his daughter Maeby after meeting DeBrie at the ‘Method One Acting Clinic,’ which he later realises is actually a methadone clinic.
Entranced by the strange woman who once played Sue Storm, Tobias leaves Lindsay to start a new life and become an acting coach, oblivious to his wife having already left him for another man. Tobias’ fling with DeBrie is short-lived, though his willingness to abandon Maeby shows that he is ultimately no different to the rest of the Bluth family.
