Michael is relieved to have all the charges against his father dropped and shocked to learn who holds the real power in his dysfunctional family.
The Arrested Development episode "Development Arrested" provides examples of:
- Bookends: Being the initial Grand Finale of the series, this episode was meant to mirror "Pilot", the first episode.
- Borrowed Catchphrase: Lucille utters "I've made a huge mistake" when she realises that her plan is about fall apart.
- Give a Man a Fish...: Michael fails to communicate the message to GOB.Michael: You give a man a fish, he'll eat for a night. If you teach a man to fish...GOB: He'll wanna use your yacht.
- Hysterical Woman: Ann screams her head off after George Michael punches out GOB.
- Imagined Innuendo: The strippers mistake Lucille's line "You boys know how to shovel coal?" for an offer to start their show but she really meant them to work in the boat's machine room.
- Riding into the Sunset: At the end Michael and his sun take off into the sunset on a yacht.
- "Risky Business" Dance: At the office party the Bluth company throws to celebrate their status being upgraded to "Risky" on Mad Money, Ted is dressed like Tom Cruise (sunglasses, collar up, no pants) under the "Risky Business" banner. He can be heard saying "I couldn't see through the glasses and I slid into the ladder", implying he (unsuccessfully) attempted to re-create the famous "sliding in front of the stairs" scene from the movie, in front of the ladder.
- Running Gag:
- Michael awaking in his bed to find different members of his family lying next to him.
- The repeated use of the Pete Rose picture with a blowhorn sound.
- Screw This, I'm Outta Here: Michael finally manages to follow up on this threat after realizing just how far he had sold out and George Michael had run off, deciding that the family is just not worth keeping together.Michael: On the other hand, we do have a full tank of gas, a house in Cabo, and five hundred grand in cashiers' checks. What say we give them no choice but to keep themselves altogether for a while?
- Series Fauxnale: This episode is the original series finale, but the revival turned it into this.
- Twincest: Lindsay tells Michael that she's "always been attracted to [him]" after finding out they aren't blood relatives.
- Wham Line:
- Revealing the Woman Behind the Man:Michael: You're trying to tell me that all your crimes, all your dishonesty, [Lucille] was behind it all?
George: She's the queen, Michael. - Revealing Lindsay's adoption:Stan: 5%? Lucille actually gave you less than her natural children?
- Revealing GOB's religious girlfriend:George Michael: My dad said you were living down here with your girlfriend.
GOB: You know about her?
George Michael: Who?
GOB: Ann. - The final reveal:Lucille: Well I know it was someone in this family [who gave me up].
Annyong: Or someone who used to be!
- Revealing the Woman Behind the Man:
- Why Did It Have to Be Snakes?: Once again Buster has to face his arc enemy...the seal with a yellow bow tie.
The next episode can be either "Flight Of The Phoenix" or "Re Cap'n Bluth"
