- episode title meaning
- The title refers to the leader of the pack, and the banana stand.
- on the next Arrested Development
- “G.O.B. protests the pet stores frozen-dove exchange policy, and Michael, realizing the banana stand is the only profitable part of the Bluth Empire, decides to rebuild.”
- gaffe
- During the fake previews, the banana stand is supposedly rebuilt on Newport Beach, but you can see a sign labeled “Fisherman’s Village” and “Marina del Rey,” which is where the show is actually filmed.
- miscellany
- bird, bonding, carbon monoxide, cutoffs, flamer, FOX 6, from whence it came, frozen dove exchange policy, hammer, hiding valuables in walls, ice cream, in the banana stand, Lunts, math, missed telephone call, Segway, self-esteem, South Coast Boutique, yearbook, “I’m having the time of my life”
Jump to: References | Image Gallery | Quotes
- Broadcast 102
- Production 102
Originally broadcast
- November 9, 2003
Written by
Directed by
Appearances by
Michael’s search for the company flight records fails when he finds his father’s storage unit burnt down. Also, Michael names his son manager of the banana stand, but they later burn it down in an act of catharsis. Meanwhile, Tobias auditions for a role in a Fire Sale commercial.
References
Image Gallery
Quotes
Tobias: Oh, my God, we’re having a fire. Sale. Oh, the burning! It burns me! Evacuate all the schoolchildren!
(Screaming. Singing “Amazing Grace.”) This isn’t a fever! (Continues singing.) Can’t even see where the knob is! (Dramatic sigh.) And scene.
| CONTEXT |
Lucille: You gave him a letter to mail.
Michael: And don’t tell me that was too much for him?
Lucille: No, Michael, he mailed the letter. That’s not the point.
Narrator: G.O.B. had not mailed the letter, but in and act of defiance, dramatically hurled the letter into the sea. This proved a more difficult dramatic gesture than he’d anticipated.
| CONTEXT |
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« Older posts#35 Lampehus wrote on May 13, 2006:
Great summary people but you have forgotten to mention the great scene where Tobias stands by the fireplace and calls out : -Excuuuuse me! while twisting.
This is one of my favourite episodes, the dove, the fire-sale, the mr. manager, the love affair with the sandwich, the (tr)actor pull magazine and the crying in the shower are all great.
#36 each wrote on May 14, 2006:
| bacon warrior wrote: |
| OMG Beamer! Thank you so much! I always thought it was "Howdy Doodat’s" or something. It always confused the hell out of me.
. |
Me too! thanks Beamer.
#37 ajberry wrote on May 22, 2006:
On review, I think this is THE best episode of all the series.
"Return from whence you came!" Classic.
#38 LickMyLovePump wrote on May 22, 2006:
It’s definitely top 5... Top 3 even.
#39 Beamer wrote on May 22, 2006:
It was my favourite episode prior to Season 3 (Mr. F, Exit Strategy and Development Arrested knocked it down to #4), but I certainly think it’s Season 1’s strongest episode. Everything that makes Arrested Development so great is right here, and it’s an excellent way to showcase AD to new viewers. 
#40 Musty Old Claptrap wrote on May 22, 2006:
I sort of think of this episode as the pilot rather than the actual pilot. Not sure why, I think it just stuck in my head more than the pilot did when I first watched Season 1. If I was trying to get someone hooked on the show I would be more likely to show them Top Banana than anything else.
#41 Beelzebubba wrote on September 23, 2006:
The most hilarious, bitchiest scene out of all three seasons was in this episode. The exchange between Lindsay and Lucille at the restaurant was classic!
Lindsay: Did you enjoy your meal, Mom? You drank it fast enough.
Waiter #1
A female voice: (O.S.) Hi, Lucille!
Lucille: (waving and smiling at the unseen woman) Not as much as you enjoyed yours. (goes serious) You want your belt to buckle, not your chair.
Followed by...
George Michael watches Lindsay & Lucille’s table as a female waiter brings them their dessert.
Waiter #1: Bananas Foster. (she sets them on fire)
Angle on Lindsay and Lucille’s table.
Lucille: You might want to let that fire go out before you stick your face in it.
Lindsay: Ah, that’s funny. Because I was going to say “You might want to lean away from that fire since you’re soaked in alcohol.”
Lucille: (smiles) Mine was better.
It just doesn’t get better than that![/i]
#42 Matthew wrote on October 18, 2007:
I was watching one of the early episodes today — the one where Maeby starts working at the banana stand — and I just realized what one of the lines was.
After she explains her banana/buck system to T-bone and he objects, she responds: "Don’t listen to him. He’s an arsonist, not an embezzler."
I thought she said "He’s a narcissist..." which I think would be much funnier.
Still, it was a funny episode.
#43 so's your face wrote on October 19, 2007:
| Matthew wrote: |
| After she explains her banana/buck system to T-bone and he objects, she responds: "Don’t listen to him. He’s an arsonist, not an embezzler."
I thought she said "He’s a narcissist..." which I think would be much funnier... |
thank God you weren’t a writer...
#44 blah blah blah? wrote on October 28, 2007:
XD sorry but I must agree (with so’s your face)
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