[HEADING=1]From the Idiot Box:
Archer[/HEADING]
Archer[/HEADING]
The very first lines of this show neatly sum up what you need to know first off about this show. Sterling Archer has a reputation of being a very dangerous spy, and the fact that they used the term "dangerous" instead of "best" should be a clue as to what the life of Archer entails. "Archer" is a new comedy focussing on the lifestyle of Sterling Archer, and the lifestyle of his coworkers at a government intelligence agency called ISIS. Don't expect a copy of "Get Smart" since most of Archer's plots revolve more around the actual members at ISIS rather than a mission that Archer has been assigned to.
One of the great things about Archer is the characters as they are funny, well written, but also screwed up in some ways. Sterling Archer is the main character and the thing is... he is a huge jerk. He's egotistic, ignorant, inappropriate, a womanizer, uses his paycheques mainly for partying and such, disrespectful, and largely apathetic on many ISIS matters, but he makes up for it by being a good agent for the most part. He also has a fucked up love-hate relationship with his mother. Mallory Archer is Archer's Mother, head of ISIS, and a former black ops agent. She is a lot more serious at her job, but still prone to being just like Archer (or rather Archer is just like her). She is also a tad selfish, and has an annoying habit of micromanaging almost every situation or mission. Lana Kane is Archer's ex girlfriend pretty much the best and most serious agent, but is quick to anger, sarcastic, and very openly critical of others.
These 3 people are what carry the show as their relationships, similar and contrasting characteristics not only is a major part of why its funny, but it also adds some depth to them since in their arguing or banter (there is lots of it) your sure to find out a lot of the history and tension between these characters. They're still mostly static, but you kind of understand them also. Other characters include Cheryl, the ISIS secretary who has a crush on Archer (no matter how he treats her), Cyril who is Lana's current boyfriend, and Pam in human resources which is also the office gossip and a sexually starved overweight woman. These people also very well written and developed and add much needed diversity to the cast. They don't carry the show as much as the main trio above, but without them Archer would be significantly worse.
This is a hostile work environment
Much of the humor of the show is in the dialogue and as I've said above, Archer is clever, witty, but also raunchy and adult many times. Many of the topics and themes in Archer include the relationships, sex, habits, office lifestyle, situational and the criticism of that there of. The delivery alternates between slow and awkward situations and fast banter and arguing, so it kind of reminds me of quentin tarantino in a certain way (please don't quote me on that). Even though there are only 10 episodes as of now, there are so many quote-worthy moments in Archer that I'm having a hard time picking out which ones to put in the sample writing section.
I cannot recommend Archer enough. It's the dialogue is hilarious, the characters are interesting, and it manages to stay quite clever throughout its first 10 episodes. Just to add the cherry on top, the voice acting is phenomenal and many top stars lend their voices to the show. Archer himself is voiced by H. Jon Benjamin, Jessica Walter is perfect as Mallory, and Aisha Tyler is stellar as Lana. Archer, for me receives a very strong recommendation and the kind of show that can replace most of Fox's animated series in a heartbeat.
[HEADING=2]Sample writing[/HEADING]
Archer is talking with his butler Woodhouse about a dog he found in his apartment
Archer: There are only 2 things I don't allow in my apartment. What are those?
Woodhouse: dogs and your mother
A: Thats a very short list, isn't it?
W: Yes sir, but you were quite insistent last night?
Flashback to previous night, Archer is drunk with a dog and a girl he picked up
A (slurring): No, ignore the rule Woodhouse, this dog is amazing, li.. listen to this (dog makes a few sounds)Do you hear that?! That's "Puttin' it on the Ritz", man!
flashes to present
A: I'm always insistent, woodhouse, but I'm not to be trusted. I'm going to work and if I see another dog when I get back... I will rub sand in your dead little eye
W: Very good, sir.
A (after short pause): I also need you to pick up some sand.
W: Yes sir
Mallory plans a dinner to woo a UN official for funding towards ISIS, and tells Archer he can't bring a date
Mallory: No, no one is bringing a date.
Archer: fine but I don't want to show up there the only one without a date.
M: And I don't want another of your sullen whores going through my medicine cabinet like a pez dispenser
A (referencing a past experience): It wasn't her fault, who puts oxycodone in a xanax bottle?
M: People with servants
A: But if they're stealing pills anyway, how does it help to switch the label?
M: Because minorities can't read
A: (starts to laugh) Okay,... I'm gonna go, and leave you to rethink that whole train of reasoning.
Archer and Lana are on a mission to find a supposed bomb on a rigid airship
Lana (asking airship captain): Now where do you think a bomb could be placed?
Archer: Uhh, this little place called everywhere, this whole thing is a bomb.
Lana and Captain are annoyed, Archer sees man trying to light a cigar
A: hey, (slaps cigar out) are you trying to get us killed?!
Captain: For the last time the Excelsior is filled with Non-Flammable Helium, (Captain turns to cigar man) Although this is a non-smoking area sir.
[HEADING=2]Links[/HEADING]
I managed to find links to 3 episodes that could be watched online right now, So enjoy
[url http://smotri.com/video/view/?id=v1320456f1bb]Third episode[/url]http://smotri.com/video/view/?id=v1320456f1bb
[url http://smotri.com/video/view/?id=v1344655aa1d]Sixth episode[/url]http://smotri.com/video/view/?id=v1344655aa1d
[url http://smotri.com/video/view/?id=v137332330d5]Tenth episode[/url]http://smotri.com/video/view/?id=v137332330d5
