Never seen Arrested Development? Start here! This page will fill you in with all the information you need to know before diving in and enjoy the show. Warning: this website contains up-to-date information about all aired episodes, and some spoilers about the upcoming Season Four.

What is Arrested Development?

Arrested Development Opening(00:20)
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Main article: Arrested Development

Arrested Development is a sitcom that aired for 53 episodes over 3 seasons on FOX from 2003 to 2006. Focusing on the Bluth family's recent demise due to their patriarch's thieving, the show follows all nine members of the Bluth family as they grow accustomed to their new life on a budget.

The series is shot in a faux-documentary style but is not a mockumentary. There is no laugh track, no studio audience, and no pandering to audiences who don't invest their full attention. Each episode crams enough jokes, flashbacks, cut-aways, call-backs, call-forwards, and subtle background jokes in 22 minutes that each viewing reveals more jokes.

In 2011 series creator Mitch Hurwitz announced that a fourth season was in the works. Shortly after, Netflix announced that it had acquired the broadcast rights. All 15 new episodes of the new season will premiere together on Netflix in all regions on May 26, 2013 at 12:01am PDT.

Who are the characters?

Main article: Bluth family

The main characters of Arrested Development are the members of the Bluth family. Real estate mogul George Bluth is arrested for stealing money from the Bluth Company. The family's finances are put on hold, and everyone must adjust their lifestyles. George's wife Lucille drinks her way through the budget, and her nervous son Buster must spend more time at home. George's son Michael steps up to helm the company and family, so he can guarantee his son George Michael a happy and safe life. Michael's older brother G.O.B. is blacklisted as a magician and his sister Lindsay moves back from Boston with her hapless husband Tobias and jaded daughter Maeby.

What episodes should I watch?

Main article: Category:Arrested Development Episodes

You should watch every single episode. Not kidding. The first three seasons are only 53 episodes and only by viewing all of them in sequence will you properly enjoy them. Each episode builds on the previous and you are rewarded for watching them in order. After you've seen the entire series, you can always catch a random episode and enjoy it.

Start with "Pilot". It's the first episode and sets up the entire series. It also sets up some classic jokes and gags such as The Alliance of Magicians and Lucille's winking.

How can I watch Arrested Development?

Easy! Arrested Development is available for streaming on Hulu Plus, Netflix, and Amazon Prime. Otherwise, you can purchase the season DVDs for reasonable prices on Amazon or download episodes on iTunes.

Season Four will only be available on Netflix, on May 26, 2013.