Archer: The Super-Spy’s Last Ride Brings the Show Back to its Origins

By John Kirk

Rating: A

It’s the end of an era. FX’s multiple award-winning Archer sees its final season hit Adult Swim with a back-to-back double episode on August 30, concluding one of the most sophisticated and witty adult animated shows on modern television.

Sterling Archer (H. Jon Benjamin), the lead spy of the amorphous covert intelligence operation known simply as the “Agency,” has experienced character growth, an evolution that has heightened the series’ appeal. Not content to simply rely on base humour or hyperbolic jokes that lampoon the super-spy genre, Archer’s cavalcade of characters have added their own unique backstories to whatever situation the Agency is in.

With the departure of Spy-Mistress/Sterling’s mother, Mallory Archer (played by the late Jessica Walter), we saw Lana Kane (Aisha Tyler) step up to take over the administration of the Agency, now owned by the pedantic and priggish billionaire, Fabian Kingsworth (Kayvan Novak). But despite the one-upmanship rivalry between Kingsworth and Archer, this latest stage brings the show back to where it started: rogue espionage. And though it’s a shame to see this series end, it’s a great place to for it to land.

While there is a new dynamic to see this season, there’s also a nod to the past in the form of Lana Kane taking over as the head of the Agency. And while this justifies the absence of Lana and Archer’s back and forth, it also provides a new and challenging seduction opportunity for the vainglorious super spy. Further antics are exacerbated by the dry wit and sardonic quips of fellow field agent, Ray Gillette (Adam Reed), who delights in pointing out Archer’s public gaffes.

The running gag throughout the series is that Archer has managed, despite his intellectual handicaps, to develop legitimate spy skills. However, the final season adds an extra wrinkle in that, with all of his adventures, his close calls with death, multiple concussions, and the fact that his liver has attained the consistency of shredded cheesecloth, the question is raised: is he still up for it?

Without going into too much detail (no spoilers here!), one of the perpetual dynamic gags in the show was the sexual tension between Lana Kane and Archer. Of course, being two superior specimens of humanly glory, the constant back and forth between them culminated when they eventually produced a daughter together, ending the tension. Yet, in this season, we see a return of the same dynamic between Archer and a new character, daringly introduced at its end: Zara Khan (Natalie Dew).

But there are other, familiar dynamics, as well. The clumsy and blunt low-brow jokes of HR Head, Pam Poovey (Amber Nash) partnered with the psychotic antics of Kane’s assistant and millionaire heiress, Cheryl/Carol Tunt (Judy Greer) provide a rich office environment, a narrative foil for the daring exploits of the field agents. Having human resource complaints amid active gunfire is a weird situation but it’s one of the comic dynamics that has made this show work since 2009.

With the following Archer has gained, to say: “Think James Bond with realistic jokes,” would be gross “fan-splaining.” However, the bridge between the spy genre of the 60’s and Archer’s present is a nod to the past with an acceptance of the present, and it’s allowed different generations to accept and enjoy winking spy-films.

Sure, there’s misogyny, gun-violence, and all sorts of other things within that genre, but there’s also a realisation and critical treatment of it within the humour that points out its flaws. Sterling Archer is a flawed character whom we and the cast make fun of, an experience that has grown wider and richer.

But that’s the joy in this series. The fact that it includes varied generations of audiences. This final bow makes up for Seasons 8 to 10, when Archer was in a coma and explored a fantasy-land setting of his consciousness. To return to the original Archer is something that fans will welcome and thoroughly support, even though it is the swan-song of the series.

But there will be tears - just saying.

Or should I say: “PHRASING!”

That’s an Archer gag.

Archer – Season 14.. Voicecast: H. Jon Benjamin, Aisha Tyler, Lucy Yates, Chris Parnell, Judy Greer, Amber Nash, Adam Reed, Kayvan Novak, Natalie Dew. Begins streaming Wednesday, August 30 on FX and Adult Swim.