Arrested Development began in 2003 and initially concluded in 2006. The series was revived by Netflix in 2013, which led to a fifth and final season five years later, in 2018. The staggered release of each season in the span of 16 years allowed the show to remain in the public consciousness for a long time.
The length of the show's run means that several people have formed opinions over the years about the characters, episodes, and the series in general. From the hatred of guest stars to dissatisfaction with certain storylines, and love of much-maligned seasons, many of these opinions have been expressed by fans on Reddit.
Season 1 Is Not Great
The first season of Arrested Development follows the dysfunctional Bluth family as they deal with the fallout of their patriarch, George Sr., going to prison. While George Sr. had previously made Lucille the owner of the company, Michael desperately tries to take control of both the business and the family.
Despite the critical acclaim for season 1, as evidenced by its 100% Rotten Tomatoes rating, not every viewer enjoyed this season. Reddit user, dmkicksballs13, writes that the "plot is quite simple but never gets around to the f****** point." This is a fair summation given that the first season is not entirely focused on its main plot. However, it spends time developing each character, which is necessary to allow the humor surrounding the characters to work.
Ben Stiller Is Unsuited To The Show
Like many modern sitcoms, Arrested Development is known for its incorporation of guest stars. From Charlize Theron to Zach Braff, the show was no stranger to including celebrities either as themselves or as brand new characters. One such guest star, Ben Stiller, appeared in 11 episodes from 2005 to 2019.
Ben Stiller's portrayal of Gob's nemesis/lover, Tony Wonder, is not universally adored. Redditor Grandviewsurfer believes that "Ben Stiller broke immersion." It is an understandable reaction to his appearance, given how recognizable Ben Stiller is, however, one could argue that Stiller successfully disappears into the role, with the infamous "W" shaped goatee.
Season 5 Is Great
The final season of the show was split into two parts between 2018 and 2019 and was arguably a letdown for some fans. Many argue that while the season did see a return to form with the most likable characters in Arrested Development interacting, it failed to live up to the first three seasons.
One such fan argues the opposite, as Redditor SailLast2471 controversially states that "Season Five is better than Season Three." While it is an understandable opinion, particularly as the season resembles the first three after the format change of season 4, it is certainly an unpopular one given the season's placement as the lowest-ranked season on IMDb.
Maggie Lizer Was Not A Good Supporting Character
An episode in the 1st season of the show, "Altar Egos," saw the introduction of Maggie Lizer, a supposedly blind lawyer with who Michael becomes romantically entangled. Maggie was portrayed by Julia Louis-Dreyfus (star of Veep, alongside fellow A.D. actor, Tony Hale) who was in four episodes of the series from 2004 to 2005.
Despite being a memorable character, not every fan was taken with her. Reddit user DrPepper86 says that "she's got to be one of my least favorite characters in the entire series." On the contrary, many would argue that the reveal of her faking her blindness is one of the best in the entire show, given how it cements her as a worthy opponent to the conniving Bluths.
Tobias Became Unfunny
The most inappropriate character in Arrested Development is Tobias Fünke. From his very first appearance, he consistently blurts out innuendos and questionable language, seemingly completely unaware of its connotations. While his character is defined by these moments, some believe it goes too far.
A fan of the series, Redditor AceOfKnaves44 writes that "they ran Tobias' character into the ground with having just about every other sentence out of his mouth be innuendo." While Tobias is typically considered one of the most hilarious characters in Arrested Development, being the perpetrator of its trademark humor, it is fair to argue that this is overdone by the end of the series.
The Rita Storyline Does Not Hold Up
The 3rd season of the series was the show's initial conclusion after Fox canceled it prematurely, and it features several classic Arrested Development episodes that will never get old. Despite the great moments, there is one particular storyline that spans five episodes within the season, that some do not enjoy.
Reddit user HChappy125 believes that "a lot of the jokes with Rita have aged quite poorly." The episodes follow the Bluths as they think that Rita, who has a mental condition, is actually a British spy. While the comedy based on the concept of misunderstanding is a staple of the series, the language used to describe Rita is extremely outdated, which proves this fan right.
Lindsay And Tobias Had No Direction
One of the few married couples in the series, Lindsay and Tobias Fünke, never quite seem suited for one another. Whether it be Lindsay's lack of love for Tobias or Tobias' uncertain sexual orientation, the interactions between the two provide some of the funniest moments in the show.
Not every fan enjoys this dynamic, Reddit user a_middle_aged_nudist writes that the "writers never knew what to do with Lindsay or Tobias outside of a few one-note jokes." It is an understandable opinion, as many do not consider Lindsay and Tobias to be one of the best duos in Arrested Development due to their lack of development.
Maeby Is The Worst Character
The long-suffering daughter of two emotionally and physically distant parents, Maeby Fünke, is perhaps the most independent character in the series. Maeby has several of her own storylines that see her conning people for her own personal gain, leading to some of the best moments in the show.
Not everyone is a fan of Maeby, though, as Reddit user Penguator432 claims that Maeby is their "least favorite part of the show." While it is of course down to personal preference, this opinion is certainly unpopular as Maeby is arguably one of the few characters who remains consistently funny, especially with her iconic catchphrase, "marry me!"
Season 4 Is Great
It is the opinion of many that Arrested Development is the best comedy series of all time, and with the series' 8.7 rating on IMDb, there is no doubt that this is a commonly-shared opinion. Unfortunately, the long-awaited 4th season of the show was not as universally loved as the previous three.
Redditor OneSwizzleNizzle defends the much-maligned season, writing that it "is still great, especially in its original cut... It's absolute gold." The season saw the show change its format entirely, with the main cast barely all being together, hence the negative reaction. Given the fact that showrunner Mitchell Hurwitz recut the season years later, it is clear that even those involved found the season to not be up to standard.
The Show Is Not Funny
Despite the arguably lackluster 4th and 5th seasons, Arrested Development remains one of the most loved modern sitcoms alongside Community and Parks and Recreation. It cannot be ignored that the fast-paced, complex humor of the first 3 seasons certainly laid the groundwork for the sitcoms that followed.
The show is not loved by all, though, as Redditor stange_72 states that they "don't think Arrested Development is funny at all," citing that it is "cringy and uncomfortable." It is an unmistakable fact that no TV show will be loved by all, as evidenced by this Reddit user's dislike of the cringy atmosphere of the series, however, it is this exact criticism that other fans consider an enjoyable staple of the show.