My Mother, The Car
Encyclopedia
"My Mother, the Car" is the seventh episode aired of TV comedy series Arrested Development.
Meanwhile, George Michael is finally getting beyond his crush on his cousin Maeby; the two sneak into an R-rated movie. Then a trailer plays for a French movie about love between two cousins. George Michael decides to get a fake ID from his uncle Gob so he and Maeby can see the French cousins movie. Meanwhile, Michael drives his mother to her surprise party; nobody else shows up. Lucille is hurt, so Michael arranges a second surprise party, insisting that all his siblings be there. When no one shows up for that one either, Michael and Lucille bond, both feeling unappreciated by their family. Feeling sorry for his mother, Michael agrees to let her drive, even though her license has been revoked for multiple accidents and reckless driving. When Lucille sees a man riding a Segway
, she assumes it is Gob and decides to "give him a scare." The car wrecks; Lucille drags an unconscious Michael into the driver's seat so that she won't be blamed. Michael has hit his head on the giant rock Buster had left in the backseat and suffers short-term memory loss.
Worried that her son will regain his memory of the accident, Lucille insists that he recuperate in her apartment; she bribes their family doctor to give him heavy painkillers. Next door, Buster, who is secretly dating his mother's neighbor and rival Lucille Austero, also gets injured when, from Austero's balcony, he spies his mother on her own balcony and jumps through the window to get out of sight. Meanwhile, George Michael tells Gob about Michael's accident while asking for the fake IDs; Gob decides to take the yacht to South America for the summer. Lindsay continues to visit her father in prison, growing increasingly frustrated that none of the inmates take note of her sexy outfits. On her third visit, George Sr. begs her to stop, and reveals that he had been paying off the inmates with gold Krugerrands
to behave in Lindsay's presence; but her repeated visits are bankrupting him. Touched by her father's gesture, Lindsay finally reconnects with George Sr.
Michael remembers seeing Gob on the road and trying to scare him, but still thinks that he was the one behind the wheel. Feeling guilty, he calls his brother and tells him he can live on the yacht. Gob realizes that Michael has been duped by Lucille, and cancels his escape plans. With Gob's help, Michael remembers the truth. They confront Lucille, who admits her guilt and says that she was afraid of losing Michael's new-found respect and admiration. Michael suggests that she stop manipulating her children, but Lucille decides that manipulation is easier.
Plot
Michael Bluth, fed up with his mother Lucille's extravagant spending, says she cannot throw a lavish birthday party for herself. But when Lindsay, prompted by Lucille, suggests a surprise party, Michael agrees on the condition that Lindsay visit George Sr. in prison. They have been somewhat estranged for the last several years; she thinks he only recognizes her good looks. At the prison, no one notices her; thinking perhaps she has lost her touch, she goes shopping for an outfit to wear for tomorrow's prison visit.Meanwhile, George Michael is finally getting beyond his crush on his cousin Maeby; the two sneak into an R-rated movie. Then a trailer plays for a French movie about love between two cousins. George Michael decides to get a fake ID from his uncle Gob so he and Maeby can see the French cousins movie. Meanwhile, Michael drives his mother to her surprise party; nobody else shows up. Lucille is hurt, so Michael arranges a second surprise party, insisting that all his siblings be there. When no one shows up for that one either, Michael and Lucille bond, both feeling unappreciated by their family. Feeling sorry for his mother, Michael agrees to let her drive, even though her license has been revoked for multiple accidents and reckless driving. When Lucille sees a man riding a Segway
Segway PT
The Segway PT is a two-wheeled, self-balancing transportation machine invented by Dean Kamen. It is produced by Segway Inc. of New Hampshire, USA. The name "Segway" is a homophone of "segue" while "PT" denotes personal transporter....
, she assumes it is Gob and decides to "give him a scare." The car wrecks; Lucille drags an unconscious Michael into the driver's seat so that she won't be blamed. Michael has hit his head on the giant rock Buster had left in the backseat and suffers short-term memory loss.
Worried that her son will regain his memory of the accident, Lucille insists that he recuperate in her apartment; she bribes their family doctor to give him heavy painkillers. Next door, Buster, who is secretly dating his mother's neighbor and rival Lucille Austero, also gets injured when, from Austero's balcony, he spies his mother on her own balcony and jumps through the window to get out of sight. Meanwhile, George Michael tells Gob about Michael's accident while asking for the fake IDs; Gob decides to take the yacht to South America for the summer. Lindsay continues to visit her father in prison, growing increasingly frustrated that none of the inmates take note of her sexy outfits. On her third visit, George Sr. begs her to stop, and reveals that he had been paying off the inmates with gold Krugerrands
Krugerrand
The Krugerrand is a South African gold coin, first minted in 1967 to help market South African gold. The coin, produced by the South African Mint, proved popular and by 1980 the Krugerrand accounted for 90% of the gold coin market. The name itself is a compound of Kruger and rand, the South...
to behave in Lindsay's presence; but her repeated visits are bankrupting him. Touched by her father's gesture, Lindsay finally reconnects with George Sr.
Michael remembers seeing Gob on the road and trying to scare him, but still thinks that he was the one behind the wheel. Feeling guilty, he calls his brother and tells him he can live on the yacht. Gob realizes that Michael has been duped by Lucille, and cancels his escape plans. With Gob's help, Michael remembers the truth. They confront Lucille, who admits her guilt and says that she was afraid of losing Michael's new-found respect and admiration. Michael suggests that she stop manipulating her children, but Lucille decides that manipulation is easier.
Cultural references
- AARPAARPAARP, formerly the American Association of Retired Persons, is the United States-based non-governmental organization and interest group, founded in 1958 by Ethel Percy Andrus, PhD, a retired educator from California, and based in Washington, D.C. According to its mission statement, it is "a...
- formerly the American Association of Retired Persons, AARP is an organization that works to further the interests of Americans 50 years and older.- The usher's statement, "You’re too young to be holding that ticket," is directed at Buster, indicating that Lucille used her AARP card to purchase tickets with a Senior CitizenOld ageOld age consists of ages nearing or surpassing the average life span of human beings, and thus the end of the human life cycle...
discount for both of them.
- The usher's statement, "You’re too young to be holding that ticket," is directed at Buster, indicating that Lucille used her AARP card to purchase tickets with a Senior Citizen
- The program Lucille was featured on, FOX's World's Worst Drivers, is a nod to the type of reality television that FoxFox Broadcasting CompanyFox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...
has historically aired, such as World's Wildest Police VideosWorld's Wildest Police VideosWorld's Wildest Police Videos is a reality TV series that dealt with police videos from across the world. Video footage of car chases, subsequent arrests, robberies, riots and other crimes appeared on the show...
and When Animals AttackWhen Animals AttackWhen Animals Attack is the second full length album by Cable, originally released in 1997.-Track listing:#"Souvenir" – 4:17#"Bluebirds Are Blue" – 3:12#"Signature Tune" – 4:21#"Freeze The Atlantic" – 2:47#"Ultra Violet" – 4:31...
. - The title of this episode is a play on the title of the 1960s sitcom starring Jerry Van DykeJerry Van DykeJerry Van Dyke is an American comedian and actor. He is the younger brother of comedian and actor Dick Van Dyke, and made his acting debut on The Dick Van Dyke Show with several guest appearances as Rob Petrie's brother, Stacey...
called My Mother the CarMy Mother the CarMy Mother the Car is an American fantasy sitcom which aired for a single season on NBC between September 14, 1965 and September 6, 1966. A total of thirty episodes were produced by United Artists Television....
.- Gob and Lindsay are watching this show on television when Michael confronts them for not showing up at Lucille's surprise dinner. The show's theme song, composed by Paul HamptonPaul HamptonPaul Hampton is an American actor, singer, lyricist and writer. He is listed as one of one hundred major architects of American rock and roll in the British rock journal "Footsoldiers and Kings." While he was a sophomore at Dartmouth College, he was signed to Columbia Records and Columbia...
, can be heard in the background.
- Gob and Lindsay are watching this show on television when Michael confronts them for not showing up at Lucille's surprise dinner. The show's theme song, composed by Paul Hampton
- Lindsay says she went to "Neiman'sNeiman MarcusNeiman Marcus, formerly Neiman-Marcus, is a luxury specialty retail department store operated by the Neiman Marcus Group in the United States. The company is headquartered in the One Marcus Square building in Downtown Dallas, Texas, and competes with other department stores such as Saks Fifth...
," a reference to the U.S. upscale retailer known for its extravagant pricing. - Michael asks his mother jokingly if there are gold bars in the bag she has trouble lifting. Later we find out it is actually gold KrugerrandKrugerrandThe Krugerrand is a South African gold coin, first minted in 1967 to help market South African gold. The coin, produced by the South African Mint, proved popular and by 1980 the Krugerrand accounted for 90% of the gold coin market. The name itself is a compound of Kruger and rand, the South...
s, which are a type of gold coin imported from South Africa.
Character cameos
- This is the only appearance of the Bluth's family physician, Dr. Miller (played by former Fridays castmember Mark Blankfield), first mentioned in "Key DecisionsKey Decisions"Key Decisions" is the fourth episode aired of the TV comedy series Arrested Development.- Plot :When Gob ditches his girlfriend, Marta Estrella, for a publicity stunt at the penitentiary that holds his father, Michael is left to accompany her to the Desi Awards...
" by Lucille regarding Buster. - The actors in the Les Cousins Dangereux trailer bear some slight resemblances to George Michael and Maeby.
Foreshadowing
- In this episode, we find out that Gob is cheating on his girlfriend Marta, which will become a major problem with Michael in "Storming the CastleStorming The Castle"Storming the Castle" is the ninth episode aired of TV comedy series Arrested Development.-Plot:While doing some business work at home, the chair Michael Bluth is sitting in collapses. Michael decides he'll get one from work, which George Michael questions...
." - George hesitates over calling Lindsay his daughter, instead calling her his "little girl." This foreshadows later revelations about her parentage.
Call backs/Running jokes
- "I don't think so." - When Gob says, "I was halfway to South America...," Michael asks, "You were going to South America?" Gob says, "I don't think so" instead of "yes." This situation mirrors a similar one in the pilot, when Gob says, "Lindsay has been staying at the Four Seasons for a month; she's probably charging it to the company." To which Michael replies, "Lindsay has been in town for a month?" and Gob answers, "I don't think so."
- This is the first time that Lindsay's "slut" tank top was used in the show.
Episode notes
- Although this episode comes after "In God We TrustIn God We Trust (Arrested Development episode)"In God We Trust" is the eighth episode aired of TV comedy series Arrested Development.-Plot:Michael Bluth has called a meeting with his family's longtime attorney, Barry Zuckerkorn, to discuss his father's incarceration. But Barry proves difficult to work with. Michael and his sister, Lindsay, are...
" in both broadcast and production order, it appears before it on the Season One DVD. Technically, "My Mother, the Car" should come first, as Buster and Lucille Austero start their relationship in this episode, and go on their first date. Additionally, "In God We TrustIn God We Trust (Arrested Development episode)"In God We Trust" is the eighth episode aired of TV comedy series Arrested Development.-Plot:Michael Bluth has called a meeting with his family's longtime attorney, Barry Zuckerkorn, to discuss his father's incarceration. But Barry proves difficult to work with. Michael and his sister, Lindsay, are...
" contains many references to ChristmasChristmasChristmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
, but this episode aired much closer to the holiday. - The title of this episode refers to both Lucille's car accident and the sitcom My Mother the CarMy Mother the CarMy Mother the Car is an American fantasy sitcom which aired for a single season on NBC between September 14, 1965 and September 6, 1966. A total of thirty episodes were produced by United Artists Television....
. - Tobias does not appear in this episode.
External links
- The-OP.com
- FOX
- Quotes for this episode on WikiQuote