An Ode To Marta's Past, Present & (Possibly) Future

As the much anticipated return of Arrested Development is right around the corner (truth be told it is the *only* reason I renewed my Netflix subscription in 2013) and as we near cinco de mayo, it felt right to take a look down memory lane at Marta's past and present (with a wish for the future)...

I love all of the Martas

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Remember this little lady? You may know her better as Marta #1

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The Chilean beauty, Leonor Varela, first portrayed Gob's girlfriend Marta, the Colombian soap opera star of "El Amor Prohibido."

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Michael fell for her when he escorted Marta to the Desi Awards, given for outstanding performances in Spanish language television

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PS. the Desi Awards are not a real thing...I'm just sayin'...I know some of you thought that was a real thing!

Who knows if it was a huge mistake or some deeper statement about ethnicity, Latino identity, cultural politics and inter-changibility, but the role of Marta was soon to switch hands

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Patricia Velásquez played Marta #2, who soon finds herself in the middle of an epic Bluth family love triangle as Michael and Gob fight for her affections...

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Like all Bluth family members and friends, she herself soon realizes "she's made a huge mistake"

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Of course Buster Bluth eventually falls for her charms as well...

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Alas he remained the one Bluth brother she never kissed

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Fastidious fans of the movie "The Mummy" may recognize Marta #2 as Anck-Su-Namun, the Pharoah's super hot mistress/ love of Imhotep's life

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The most deliciously obscure Marta was the "un-credited actress" who plays the role in a Season 3 flash back

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This photo provides a great visual of Martas1, 2, and 3 side by side.

Will a 4th Marta come forth in season 4?

Will the brilliant writers and producers of Arrested Development continue their didactic meta-statement and meta-narrative on Latina identity and objectification? Will they continue to probe the politics of minority representation in the medium of TV with subtle slight of hand?

Anything is possible. If Marta doesn't return, I suppose myself and alot of other Arrested Development fans and Marta cheerleaders may just have to retreat back home with sad snoopy music playing behind us, George Michael style.

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Though to be honest, I am so geeked the show is coming back, I am more likely to be found doing the chicken dance :)

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Which, of course is also a meditation on Latino representations in film, history and California state politics, but I will save that for another essay.