Ep 1. Episode 1

In the highly-anticipated return of Arrested Development, season five picks up where the previous season left off, with the Bluth family still struggling to maintain their once-wealthy status. The first episode of season five aptly titled, "Episode 1," follows each member of the Bluth family as they try to navigate their way through various personal and professional challenges.

The episode begins with a montage of each character's current situation. We see Michael (Jason Bateman) trying to get his career in order after being ousted from his company in season four, while Buster (Tony Hale) is adjusting to life without his beloved Mother, Lucille (Jessica Walter). Gob (Will Arnett) is still pursuing his magic career, but it's not going as well as he would have hoped, and George-Michael (Michael Cera) is attempting to forge his way in the tech industry.

The main storyline of the episode revolves around the family's attempts to remember the code to a safe that they believe contains evidence that can incriminate them. As old patterns of behavior and miscommunication come to the forefront, each character's motivation for cracking the safe is revealed, showing the underlying tension and discomfort between family members.

Throughout the episode, we also see the return of some beloved characters, including Maeby (Alia Shawkat), who has been working as a movie executive in the entertainment industry, and Tobias (David Cross), who is still pursuing his acting career. There are also several new characters introduced, including a young Bluth relative, whose arrival in town complicates Michael's plans.

As is typical of Arrested Development, the humor in "Episode 1" is dry, sarcastic, and clever. The writing is sharp, and the comedic timing is spot-on. The episode is full of Easter eggs and inside jokes that fans of the show will appreciate but that won't alienate newcomers to the series.

One of the most standout aspects of "Episode 1" is the way the writers have managed to bring the Bluth family back together after four seasons of each character existing in their own worlds. While there are still tensions and misunderstandings between the family members, there is a sense that they are all in this together. The episode does an excellent job of setting up the season's overarching storyline, which promises to explore the Bluth family dynamics in even greater detail.

In terms of production, "Episode 1" is visually stunning, with vibrant colors and interesting camera angles. The show's distinctive format, with its use of flashbacks, cutaways, and narration, is still in place, providing a sense of continuity with the previous seasons while also keeping things fresh.

Overall, "Episode 1" is a strong start to season five of Arrested Development. While it might take some time for viewers to fully remember the intricate plotlines and jokes from the previous four seasons, the episode is still entertaining and engaging on its own. Fans of the show will undoubtedly be pleased with its return, and newcomers will find plenty to enjoy as well.