In God We Trust 

The family attorney arranges George Sr.'s release from prison for Christmas. Later, George-Michael has to wear an embarrassing codpeice in a pageant.

Director:

Joe Russo

Writers:

Mitchell Hurwitz (created by), Abraham Higginbotham

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
Jeffrey Tambor	...	George Bluth Sr.
Jessica Walter	...	Lucille Bluth
Liza Minnelli	...	Lucille Austero
Patricia Velasquez	...	Marta Estrella
Sam Pancake	...	James Alan Spangler
Blaine Pate	...	Monti
B.W. Gonzalez	...	Lupe
John Michael Higgins	...	Wayne Jarvis

Storyline

It's time for the annual Living Classics Pageant, and Barry makes a deal with Michael to get George Sr. out in time to take part in the pageant's signature exhibit - Michaelangelo's The Creation Of Adam. But there is no god when George Sr. makes plans to escape.

---

Plot Keywords:

christmas | muscle suit | cut off jeans | attempted escape | reference to michelangelo's creation of adam | 

---

Genres:

Comedy

---

Certificate:

TV-PG

Details

Language:

English

Release Date:

21 December 2003 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Memorial Park, Pasadena, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

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

Technical Specs

Runtime:

21 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

This episode does not feature an "On the next... Arrested Development" segment.

---

Goofs

In this episode, Buster and Lucille 2 go on their first date together. However, in the next episode, "My Mother, The Car", Buster confronts Lucille 2 about their recent misunderstandings, where they then kiss and begin a relationship. Technically, for Buster and Lucille 2's relationship to make sense, "My Mother, the Car" should be watched first.

---

Quotes

Gob: [chasing after Michael] Michael, I'm on to you! The Spanish lessons! If you're headed for Portugal, it's due south!
Michael: What? No it isn't!

---

Soundtracks

Silent Night
(uncredited)
Music by Franz Gruber
English Lyrics by John Freeman Young

User Reviews

glad i could make a difference..

Arrested Development

Arrested Development is another take on dysfunctional family; created by Mitchell Hurwitz, with lots of twists and turns and mystery that helps kick the series into another level and stand alone. The narration by Ron Howard that guides the viewers is actually a smarter concept that it actually seems, since the makers doesn't feel the need to explain the situation and momentum through cheesy and additional dialogues; a slick move.

It is short on technical aspects like cinematography, background score and art design although the camera work is plausible and is shot beautifully with pleasing, light and breezy environment.

The writing is strong in terms of the material offered especially since it doesn't feel the urge to push boundaries just to crack a smile, and instead focuses on the irony of it and lets it flow fluently with well barred structure. The amusing concept, enfolding tricks, gripping screenplay, parallel sub-plots that are well edited which later merges in brilliantly are some of the high points of the series.

There is also a lot of going on in mere 20 minutes for the audience to let it sink in which may seem overstuffed at times but it does the work which is to keep the audience tangled into it. The characters are more mature and pragmatic than the audience usually gets in a sitcom where they might not be lovable or even likable at times, but their humane-ness keeps the viewers rooting for them.

The performance is somewhat fragile in here since the protagonist Jason Bateman is in his A game but unfortunately isn't supported to that extent by its supporting cast (Will Arnett, Michael Cera, Portia de Rossi and David Cross).

Season 01

The first act in here is somewhat of an introductory section for the character development is handled well enough if not evolved entirely (there is no need to grab the whole bite too). It is also fast paced and evenly distributive among the characters that shares their screen time and factors in with a greater impact than the protagonist.

In God We Trust

A masterstroke by the writers on pulling off such a chaotic act where each thread off the plot track loops back in on weaving a conflict or an issue to the character that opens up a huge magic box of humorous adventure.