Archer
Greetings, ‘Archer’ is an animated comedy series that was created by Adam Reed and ran continuously from 2009 to 2023. Reed also previously created ‘Frisky Dingo’ and ‘Sealab 2021’ but I must confess to not knowing much about them. The show racked up 145 episodes in 14 seasons during those years and, after the decision to cancel its run was made, ‘Archer’ concluded its extensive storyline with a crowd pleasing 3 part finale. The series stars H. Jon Benjamin, best known as the voice behind the iconic Bob Beltcher of ‘Bob’s Burgers’, Aisha Taylor, Chris Parnell, Judy Greer, Lucky Yates, Amber Nash, the show’s creator Adam Reed and Jessica Walter of ‘Play Misty for Me’ renown. In the last season, the unusual decision was made to add Natalie Dew as another main cast member to the mix which felt a little jarring after being so used to the core line up for so long. Numerous guest stars have also appeared in the show as well such as Peter Serafinowicz, Timothy Olyphant, Bryan Cranston and Burt Reynolds. The music was provided by Australian musician JG Thirlwell.
The series follows the exploits of secret agent Sterling Archer, a quick-witted, womanizing alcoholic who works for the International Secret Intelligence Service. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the acronym of ISIS was dropped some years into the show’s run after the terrorist group of the same name began making headlines for their atrocities across the Middle East in 2014. The show begins with Archer being tortured but it is quickly revealed that it is only a training exercise after he mocks his fellow agent, a character called Crenshaw, into giving up his faux torture techniques. Malory, Archer’s stern boss and mother, is watching the training and is unimpressed by her son’s flippant behaviour. The next day Archer is called into Malory’s office where he is berated for misspending his work account on frivolous things and it is made clear that he will be fired from the agency unless he clears his accounts. Archer realises that if he can access the agency’s mainframe, he could alter his financial records and get himself out of trouble. He knows that two of his co-workers, named Cyril and Pam, are able to get into the system.
Archer plans to get his colleagues to help him clear his account but it is apparent he is disliked and they are unwilling to lend a hand after his previous boorish behaviour. After some attempts at half-assed apologies and a concocted story about hunting a mole in the workplace get him nowhere, Archer tries to break into the mainframe himself. This turns out to be a simple operation as he breaks into the office which has poor security mechanisms and the password to the mainframe is ‘guest’ which Archer guesses correctly. While fulfilling his scheme, Archer is surprised when his fellow agent Crenshaw pulls a gun on him and orders Archer to transfer $50,000 into his account. Crenshaw reveals himself to be a mole working for the Russians who believes that he was found out due to Archer’s fictitious mole hunt story being spread around the office. Crenshaw intends to flee the US and keep Archer as a hostage during his escape. Lana, another of Archer’s co-workers and former paramour, arrives and aims her gun at Crenshaw after a silent alarm had been triggered earlier.
The era ‘Archer’ is set in is difficult to pin down as there is a Cold War-esque feel to the show but it also references more modern events and phenomena. I believe this vagueness brings some charm to the programme and often works in its favour. The large cast of characters, such as the unhinged scientist Krieger and equally chaotic heiress Cheryl, are a big strength of ‘Archer’ as are the relationships they have with each other. The complicated ‘will they/won’t they’ relationship between Archer and Lana is certainly one of the more interesting aspects of the show. Understandably, the show loses steam towards the end of its run and a few of the routine jokes become tired but it tried some interesting concept during the ‘coma seasons’ which played about with numerous genres in self-contained seasons. ‘Archer’ has always been a reliable show for me throughout the years and I had some real fun with it, especially in the first half of its run, but I believe it reached its natural ending point when it was forced to wrap itself up.
Plot=8/10
Characters=9/10
Special Effects=8/10
Overall=8/10
Quote of the Day
A medium dry martini, lemon peel, shaken, not stirred.
James Bond
Dr. No
