Arrested Development

:

Season 5.5
Season #: 5.5, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
User Score
6.1

Generally favorable reviews- based on 25 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 10 out of 25
  2. Mixed: 13 out of 25
  3. Negative: 2 out of 25
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User Reviews

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  1. bulger_paul
    Mar 21, 2019
    4
    Ever since season four dropped almost seven years ago, I've been one of its few proponents. It's pretty much universally agreed upon that the first three seasons were genius, they equally smart as they were hilarious, densely packed with jokes, and I don't think even the best of circumstances could ever recapture the magic of those first three seasons. Still though, while season 4 wasn'tEver since season four dropped almost seven years ago, I've been one of its few proponents. It's pretty much universally agreed upon that the first three seasons were genius, they equally smart as they were hilarious, densely packed with jokes, and I don't think even the best of circumstances could ever recapture the magic of those first three seasons. Still though, while season 4 wasn't anywhere near as hilarious as the original three seasons (there were some absolutely golden moments, but it wasn't as consistent), I still found it to be just as smart and dense as it was before. Season 5, on the other hand, I don't exactly know what's going on, nor how to review it.

    I know it's too much to ask season five to be anywhere near as good as the first three seasons. That's just too much to ask of anything. But at the very least, I wanted it to be as smart as season 4, even if it would never be as funny as it used to be. Part of the problem is how slickly produced everything is, now. The original, messier, docu-style format made for the perfect opportunity to slip tons and tons of visual puns and running jokes into the backgrounds of every frame, which is what made repeated viewings of the first three seasons, and even the fourth season so rewarding, to go back through and see everything going on in the background, whereas the slick production value behind season five just gives everything in each frame a lot more "presence," making it easier to notice when there isn't much going on, and the majority of the time it just seems like there isn't much going on.

    Additionally, the scripts are just not dense enough. And again, I know it's impossible to ask any sitcom to contain the comic density of the first three seasons, but it's just impossible not to be disappointed by the sheer lack of jokes. The puns, the play on words, the running jokes, the elaborate setups for future jokes, are curiously absent. I mean, sure, sometimes we'll hear a little jingle or sound effect that was used for a joke in a previous season, or there will be allusions to other old jokes (for example, there's a pretty funny bit in this season calling back to the "there's always money in the banana stand" joke from season one), but I never got the sense that anything new was being set up or that any previous setups were being sufficiently paid off.

    All in all, none of this season feels particularly "inspired." The cast and the writers had already moved on over a decade ago, and I'm not convinced anything is going to recapture the inspiration that started this series. I get the sense that the only reason season five exists, is to tie up the loose plot ends, but that's not something I needed. I'm okay with leaving untied plot ends if I'm forced to sacrifice the series' comic integrity to get closure on the things that are completely unrelated to what made the show great in the first place.

    Right now, it seems like the series is in the exact spot that George-Michael is currently in, like it's just ambling about, pretending it knows what it's doing, thinking it's simply just going to figure out what it's doing along the way.    … Expand
  2. marcmyworks
    Mar 18, 2019
    4
    Season 5 part 1 started stronger than season 4 however in part 2 all the ground work fails as it returns to terrible pacing, horrible jokes and obviously badly dubbed lines. Please let the series end.
  3. coreyslat97
    Mar 17, 2019
    4
    If u like season 4 and 5. Then there's a good chance you will like this. That said, I re-watch season 1 to 3 all the time. Great show. This is cringe-worthy. It just doesn't work on so many levels. It feels like something is missing There's no magic or spark. The story-line are just farces at this point. And we've seen it all before. Did I laugh out lot here and there? I'd say maybe onceIf u like season 4 and 5. Then there's a good chance you will like this. That said, I re-watch season 1 to 3 all the time. Great show. This is cringe-worthy. It just doesn't work on so many levels. It feels like something is missing There's no magic or spark. The story-line are just farces at this point. And we've seen it all before. Did I laugh out lot here and there? I'd say maybe once per episode. Watch it if u just need to be a completionist. Otherwise, it's sadly not worth it.… Expand
  4. solideater
    Mar 22, 2019
    4
    there were very few moments that i considered to be funny but overall i must say it has a good ending, if they decide to end the show. season 4 and 5 should've never happened
  5. trevtenntitans
    Mar 19, 2019
    10
    Season 5 part 2 finally delivers all the answers to the questions and mysteries set up in season 4. Arrested Development has changed and evolved over the years, but it's still as good as anything on TV today.
  6. drlowdon
    Sep 29, 2019
    6
    If this is indeed the last we ever see of the Bluths the final episode does at least offer a relatively satisfying conclusion but the journey to get there, despite offering a few laughs, is still as frustratingly inconsistent as everything else the show has done since its return and lacks the sharpness that Arrested Development became acclaimed for during its original three season run.
  7. Blinkybrown
    Mar 20, 2019
    4
    Season 1-3 remain one of the strongest, funniest shows of all time. All hype was set when netflix revived... Then the format had to change due to actors not being able to work simultaneously... Bringing us the mediocre season 4... Funny moments, but without the characters able to play off each other, the sharp wit and strengths were lacking.

    In Comes season 5... The first half, while    Season 1-3 remain one of the strongest, funniest shows of all time. All hype was set when netflix revived... Then the format had to change due to actors not being able to work simultaneously... Bringing us the mediocre season 4... Funny moments, but without the characters able to play off each other, the sharp wit and strengths were lacking.

    In Comes season 5... The first half, while not as good as the original run, bright a much stronger start to season 5, almost a return to form.

    Then comes the mess that is 5.5... Admittedly i have not yet seen the final episode yet...however the writers completely lost touch with what was great about the show and traded it in a focus on a convoluted plot nobody cares about, reminders of Jokes that were great in the first run, the unfunny "young cast" scenes that are a boring and unnecessary lead up to a plot twist... All in all a disappointing end to a once iconic show.

    I will forever hold seasons 1-3 in the highest regard. Perhaps if they were renewed, we'd have had a season 4 and 5 that lived up to those impossibly high standards. While the netflix years aren't without its funny moments, they sure make me long for those original years where every line was sharp and witty, and every character felt genuine    … Expand
  8. callingallcars
    Apr 14, 2019
    10
    I think nostalgia may be playing a role in the poorer reviews. The fifth season sees the show return to form and, in my opinion, is every bit as good as the first seasons. It's hard for me to believe that anybody who doesn't like the fifth season ever liked the show at all. Like those earlier seasons, rewatches will certainly reveal layers missed the first time as the puns, call backs, andI think nostalgia may be playing a role in the poorer reviews. The fifth season sees the show return to form and, in my opinion, is every bit as good as the first seasons. It's hard for me to believe that anybody who doesn't like the fifth season ever liked the show at all. Like those earlier seasons, rewatches will certainly reveal layers missed the first time as the puns, call backs, and references fly fast and furious. A lot of questions are answered, and with a lot of loose ends (not seals) tied up, my fear is we may not get another season. If we don't, it does feel like this ending could serve as a proper one. But I would love to see a sixth season happen.… Expand

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
60

Mixed or average reviews - based on 6 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 6
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 6
  3. Negative: 1 out of 6
  1. Vanity Fair
    Reviewed by: Sonia Saraiya
    Apr 3, 2019
    40
    Even though Season 5 may not officially be the final season of the sitcom, by the end of the tepid journey, it feels as if the whole production has given up.
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  2. The Daily Beast
    Reviewed by: Nick Schager
    Mar 15, 2019
    80
    Arrested Development’s one-liners and inward-looking allusions fly by at the speed of light, and at this point, the show has long since given up trying to accommodate new viewers. It’s a comedy whose main frame of reference is itself, and while that likely limits its appeal outside its cadre of hardcore fans, its latest go-round reconfirms that, though many sturdy imitators have followed in its wake, it still sits upon the absurdist throne.
    Read full review
  3. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Darren Franich
    Mar 15, 2019
    25
    This release marks a low point for the once-great series, recycling gags, reheating limp characters, swirling complicated narrative strands without the old snappy grace.
    Read full review
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