Key Decisions (23 Nov. 2003)

Determined to not be upstaged by his actress girlfriend, GOB decides to pull an elaborate escape at the Orange County Prison, where George Sr. is being held. Meanwhile, Michael falls for GOB's girlfriend Marta.

Director:

Anthony Russo

Writers:

Mitchell Hurwitz (creator), Brad Copeland

Stars:

Jason Bateman, Portia de Rossi, Will Arnett

Cast

Episode cast overview, first billed only:
Jason Bateman	...	Michael Bluth
Portia de Rossi	...	Lindsay Bluth Fünke
Will Arnett	...	Gob Bluth
Michael Cera	...	George-Michael Bluth
Alia Shawkat	...	Maeby Fünke
Tony Hale	...	Buster Bluth
David Cross	...	Tobias Fünke (credit only)
Jeffrey Tambor	...	George Bluth Sr.
Jessica Walter	...	Lucille Bluth
Liza Minnelli	...	Lucille Austero
Leonor Varela	...	Marta Estrella
Clint Howard	...	Johnny Bark
John F. Beard	...	Himself (as John Beard)
David Reynolds	...	White Power Bill
Rocky McMurray	...	Warden James Buck

Storyline

Determined not to be upstaged by his actress girlfriend Marta, GOB goes to the Orange County Prison where his father is being held to stage an elaborate escape. Michael solves the family's transportation problems by selling their private jet, and escorts Marta to the Desi Awards, given for outstanding performances in Spanish language television.

---

Genres:

Comedy

---

Details

Language:

English

Release Date:

23 November 2003 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Stage 5, 20th Century Fox Studios - 10201 Pico Blvd., Century City, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Imagine Television, Hurwitz Company, The, 20th Century Fox Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

22 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

[Gob is planning to break out of a prison for publicity]
Warden: You really think you can break out of my prison?
Gob: You won't even know I was here.
Narrator: The warden was intrigued, less about the stunt and more about the prison beatings that this brash magician was sure to receive.

---

Connections

References The Great Escape (1963)

---

Soundtracks

"You Here With Me"
(uncredited)
Written by David Schwartz and Gabriel Mann
Performed by Gabriel Mann

User Reviews

A masterpiece episode, see it again and again

This is one episode of Arrested Development that I could watch again and again. The fourth episode starts with a cold opening and establishes some running story lines for the first half of season 1, with Michael meeting and becoming infatuated with his brother GOB's girlfriend Marta. Meanwhile, Buster meets a girlfriend, Lindsay is becoming increasingly unhappy with her marriage, GOB sets out to prove himself as a magician, Michael gets a new vehicle for the family, and George Michael continues to harbour a forbidden crush on his cousin. The episode also introduces the line ''I've made a huge mistake'', which is used throughout the series right up until the last episode.

The episode guest stars Clint Howard, undoubtedly getting on the show because of his relation with producer-narrator Ron Howard. But Clint's not the most memorable part of the episode. This is an episode that gives us real conflict, with Michael developing a crush in spite of himself, having lost his wife two years ago, and torn because of his loyalty to his brother (when Michael tries to establish a relationship with Marta, the two hear the news that GOB has been stabbed in the back in a prison fight). We sympathize with GOB because of his lack of a relationship with his father, but at the same time we're supposed to see that he's not worthy of Marta. The episode's also delightfully funny from start to finish with sarcasm, irony, wit, physical humour and generally good dialogue. The music in this episode, including ''Cry Love'' and the original song ''You Here With Me'' as well as the Attic or Main House theme, is excellent.