Archer

[Avaitor]

In the spirit of The AV Club's TV Club 10 articles, I shall make you all a list of ten essential Archer episodes to get you started  or refresh yourself into the world of Isis, Odin, Popeye, and the danger zone. Also, Johnny Bench called.

"Training Day" (Season 1, Episode 2)- As fun of a start as "Mole Hunt" is, the following episode serves for an equally strong introduction to the show, its characters, and the laws set in universe. The main storyarc of the first season doesn't totally involve Archer, but rather his ex Lana and her current boyfriend Cyril, and their haphazard relationship, which is set up well here, as Archer attempts to teach Cyril how to be a secret agent like him. And totally fail, which is another key storyarc in  the show's run- Cyril's total incompetence in everything but his job, accounting. On top of this, Santa appears in the episode!

"Skorpio" (Season 1, Episode 6)- Continuing the storyline of Lana and Cyril's disastrous relationship, this episode shows off Cyril's anxiety, as Lana is faced with a dangerous mission that gets unexpectedly intercepted, and needs Archer's help. The fact that their history may and previous chemistry might reignite when the two agents meet is what especially worries Cyril, even more than the potential of Lana's death, showing just how selfish the guy is. To Cyril's credit, that is what happens by the end of the episode, to an extent, as the two team up in their skivvies. I don't think it's too much of a spoiler to say that Lana and Cyril don't make it through the season (I won't say when or how they break up though), so the relationship between her and Archer comes back and develops multiple times throughout the show, in similarly unexpected ways, and this episode is one of the earliest examples of how well they work as a team, yet also exemplifies their low points as a couple.

"Skytanic" (Season 1, Episode 7)- There isn't much in regards to the storyarc in this episode, but that doesn't matter, since this episode is a laugh riot from start to finish. When a bomb threat is sent to an air cruise (the pampered luxury of a cruise ship meets the smoothness of modern air travel), Malory ensures that Isis will be there to save the cruise, as she gets the captain to save room for Archer, Lana, and herself. While the two agents attempt to find the bomb and Malory soaks up the complimentary bar, it turns out that a couple of stowaways made it upon the cruise- Isis members Cheryl and Pam, as well as Cyril. With all of this going on and a culprit to be found, this is a modern day Agatha Christie mystery, with classic lines up the wazoo.

"The Double Deuce" (Season 2, Episode 5)- Woodhouse had been a relatively underused character on the show, used primarily as a scapegoat by Archer. This episode gives us more insight into the character, taking us back to his days as a fighter pilot during what is assumed to be one of the World Wars, and how he met Malory and became Archer's butler. It's a compelling story, told as a mysterious killer is taking down the surviving veterans of his squad. The episode is still mighty funny, but it proves that the show can be more than just laughs.

"Stage Two" (Season 2, Episode 8 )- May I introduce to you, Chet Manly. The only man who would tattoo a baby. Just don't say that breast cancer is only a woman's thing, or you will regret it. This episode has it all, even one of the most risque shots in the show's history, yet doesn't lose any heart as we see Archer struggle with his recent diagnosis of breast cancer, and gives him surprising moments of clarity.

"El Secuestro" (Season 2, Episode 10)- I wrote about this episode not that long ago, but I'll just reiterate that it is one of the funniest half hours of any television show put onto screen. When kidnappers come to take Cheryl but end up stealing Pam instead, we learn more about the ditzy security than we ever needed to, including the fact that she has a pet ocelot! The episode is even better for Pam though, as her time with the kidnappers gives her a chance for development that the rest of Isis would normally steal from her, and come back with a vengeance.

"Double Trouble" (Season 2, Episode 13)- Although you might need to have seen the previous episode, "White Nights", to understand everything in the episode, I'll just stick to this one instead. Archer and his new-found love, the former Odin agent Katya, acquaint themselves in this episode, much to the disgust to the rest of Isis. Most disgusted of all is Malory, who claims that she disapproves of Katya's past, but it's really her motherly jealously that sets off Miss Archer. Archer and Katya are still in love though, as they plan  a wedding, but all is not well, when this ends in a tragic note, again showing that there's more to Archer than just it's sick sense of humor.

"Heart of Archness" (Season 3, Episodes 1-3)0 The sad note that the aforementioned season finale left off on shows up again in this three-part premiere, as Archer heads for some much needed R&R. The thing is, he neglected to tell Malory or the rest of Isis what his plans were, leading them (well, some of them) to worry about the guy. Malory sends her ex-agent/flame Rip Riley, brilliantly voiced by Patrick Warburton, to find Archer, which he does... until they get abducted by Mongolian pirates. And it all goes to hell from there, as this multi-parter gives indication that the characters are defined enough and the crew are more than capable to make a feature-length Archer story if they so choose to.

"The Man From Jupiter" (Season 3, Episode 4)- One thing that becomes clear to viewers of the show almost instantly is that Archer's idol is Burt Reynolds. He name drops the actor whenever he gets a chance to and refers multiple instances in his line of duty to Reynolds' films. Well, it sure comes as a surprise to Archer when he not only gets a chance to meet Burt, but finds out that his lifelong hero is dating, of all people, his mother. The disgust in Archer's eyes is eminent as he plans a scheme to break the two up, which in typical Archer fashion leads to disastrous results with numerous classic lines and scenes, including one of the sickest car chases ever, to make up for that.

"Skin Game" (Season 3, Episode 11)- I haven't mentioned Krieger here yet, have I? What started off as a trivial side character quickly grew to become one of the show's biggest trump cards, a wacky doctor (not the medical kind... or the other kind, really) who is riddled with even more psychological trauma than Archer and weird quirks than the rest of the cast combined. I mention this here because he has an erection after revealing to Archer the result of Katya after we last saw her at the end of season 2. This episode starts off as a sweet one, possibly leading towards the two having a happily ever after, while at the same time showing some kinks in their potential so it doesn't seem too lovey-dovey. But this is Archer we're talking about, and he doesn't deserve a happy ending. Not yet, at least, as you'll see with this episode's twist ending. While it isn't the season finale (that comes from a so-so two-parter which just kind of... is), this is a pretty good ending point to lead you up to the new season, at least for now. Maybe this season will finally be good for the agent.

Thoughts on the list?

[Nel_Annette]

Oh... wow...

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-snc6/705658_519726961379503_2146122091_o.jpg

Can't wait for tonight.

[Foggle]

That was an excellent episode!

[Avaitor]

Well, that was a unique way to integrate a crossover.

And FUCK was it awesome! It looks like they're planning a full storyarc for the show this year, too.

[Dr. Insomniac]

Ostrich.

[Avaitor]

I've had a similar freak out myself.

[Avaitor]

I am so thankful that this is gifed.

[Avaitor]

Um, that episode was, well...

[Nel_Annette]

That twist was great. And that scene at the end... my god. 

[Avaitor]

TEASE!

[Peanutbutter]

Another great episode with a hilarious ending!   Nice that Ray can move for real once again, and man Cheryl just gets more and more freaky with every episode...

[Avaitor]

Well now I wanna see how The Road Warrior directed by John Waters would turn out.

[Avaitor]

The show is officially renewed for a fifth season!

Who's been catching this one so far, though? I've been enjoying it myself, although admittedly not as much as 3 or 2, but then again I've only seen each ep once. This is going to change tomorrow, since I'm marathoning the whole season so far with my friends who're behind. That also means I'm missing tonight's episode to watch it with them.

[Foggle]

The show is officially renewed for a fifth season!

Who's been catching this one so far, though? I've been enjoying it myself, although admittedly not as much as 3 or 2, but then again I've only seen each ep once. This is going to change tomorrow, since I'm marathoning the whole season so far with my friends who're behind. That also means I'm missing tonight's episode to watch it with them.

I keep missing it when it's on, but I plan to catch up soon.

[Avaitor]

Oh yeah, I forgot to mention this is in my post, but Jon Hamm is going to play Captain Murphy in the finale.

I shit you not.