“Archer” premiered in 2009 as a spy comedy that looked like a cartoon but sounded like a talk radio show. Created by Adam Reed, the series followed ISIS, a private intelligence agency run by Sterling Archer, a self-destructive genius who also happens to be a total disaster. The show ran for nine seasons, ending in 2020, and it remains one of the most distinctive animated series of its era.
The premise is simple. Archer works for his mother, Pam, at ISIS, a company that sells information to the highest bidder. His coworkers include Lana Kane, a former CIA agent with a steel trap jaw and a softer center; Cheryl, the office manager who wants to be Pam’s friend while sleeping with Archer; Mallory, Archer’s ex-wife who runs the agency’s finance department; and Cyril, the tech guy who is constantly terrified. The show’s central joke is that Archer is brilliant at everything except being a person.
Trailer, via FX Networks.
Voice Work
What makes “Archer” stand out is its voice cast. H. Jon Benjamin voices Archer, and he does it with a nasal, hyper-articulate delivery that borders on parody. He speaks in complete sentences, never slurs his words, and his timing is impeccable. The show’s dialogue is fast, witty, and often profane, and Benjamin carries it all.
“I’m not an idiot!” Archer shouts at a superior officer in the pilot. It’s a simple line, but it sets the tone for everything that follows. The character is arrogant, entitled, and completely wrong about himself. Benjamin plays him with a straight face, which makes the absurdity land harder.
Other standout performances include Jessica Walter as Malory, who delivers her lines with a mix of disdain and maternal protectiveness. Amber Nash voices Lana, who starts as a cold professional and slowly becomes more human. Judy Greer voices Pam, who is both a domineering mother and a woman trapped in a bad marriage. The chemistry between the actors is palpable, even though they’re only speaking to microphones.
Animation Style
The show’s visual style is deliberately flat and retro. The backgrounds are simple, the colors are saturated, and the characters move with a fluidity that feels hand-drawn. The animation isn’t trying to be photorealistic; it’s trying to be funny. The result is a world that looks like a spy movie from the 1960s, but with a modern sensibility.
The show also uses a lot of product placement. In early seasons, the characters drink Pabst Blue Ribbon and eat Pop-Tarts, and the camera lingers on the labels. This is a deliberate choice. The show is set in a world where corporations sponsor espionage, and the brand names are part of the joke.
The First Season
The first season introduces the main characters and establishes the show’s tone. It’s a slow burn, but it pays off. The episode “War Crimes” is a standout, where Archer accidentally starts a war between two countries and has to stop it. The episode is dark, but it’s also hilarious, with Archer using his wit to talk his way out of a literal nuclear disaster.
The show also has a running gag about Archer’s father, who is a famous spy. Archer constantly references his father’s legacy, but he can’t live up to it. The show is a constant reminder that Archer is smarter than everyone else, but he can’t make a relationship work. That’s what makes him relatable.
The Second Season
The second season, “Archer: Is It Possible?”, sees the team working for the CIA. The show gets darker, and the humor becomes more cynical. The episode “Sexual Harassment in the Workplace” deals with a sexual harassment lawsuit against ISIS. The case is settled without charges against the agency or its employees, and the show handles the topic with a mix of seriousness and absurdity. The show doesn’t shy away from difficult topics, but it always finds a way to make them funny.
The season also introduces Ray Gillette, a new character who becomes a recurring presence. Ray is a former CIA analyst who is obsessed with Archer. He’s a stalker, but he’s also a competent field agent. The show uses Ray to explore Archer’s legacy, and it works. Ray is a fanboy, but he’s also a threat.
The Third Season
The third season, “Archer: Dangerous Minds,” moves the show to Venice, Italy. The team works for a shadowy organization called the World Services Corporation, and they get caught up in a plot involving a terrorist named Khrushchev. The show is more action-oriented, with car chases, explosions, and a final showdown.
The season also introduces Pam’s sister, Gail, who is a wealthy socialite. Gail is a foil to Pam, and she represents the lifestyle that Pam could have had if she hadn’t married Archer’s father. The show uses Gail to explore the idea of missed opportunities.
Later Seasons
The later seasons see the show becoming more surreal. The fourth season, “Archer: New York,” takes the show to New York City, where Archer works for the FBI. The fifth season, “Archer: Space,” sends the team to space, where they work for a corrupt corporation. The sixth season, “Archer: Island,” puts the team on a remote island where they fight a cult.
The show’s willingness to change settings is a strength. It keeps the audience engaged, and it allows the writers to explore new ideas. The show is always evolving, and that’s what makes it interesting. The show is a spy comedy, but it’s also a satire of corporate America, government bureaucracy, and the entertainment industry.
The Final Season
The ninth season, “Archer: The Singularity,” is a time travel story. The show uses a device called the Quantum Entanglement Teleporter to send Archer back in time, and he has to fix a mistake he made in the past. The season is a love letter to the show’s history, and it brings back many of the characters from earlier seasons. It’s a fitting end to a long-running series.
The finale is a two-hour episode that wraps up the show’s mythology. It’s a satisfying conclusion, but it leaves some questions unanswered. The show ends with Archer getting what he wants, but it’s not the ending the audience might have expected. The show is about disappointment, and that’s what makes it resonate.
Legacy
“Archer” is a show that rewards attention. It’s a show that you can watch passively, but it’s better when you pay attention. The show is full of callbacks, Easter eggs, and inside jokes. It’s a show that you can watch again and again and find new things.
The show’s influence can be seen in other animated comedies. Its blend of violence and humor is a template for modern adult animation. The show is a landmark in the genre.
“I’m not an idiot!”
That’s the sound of Archer talking himself into a corner. It’s a line that sums up the show’s philosophy. The show is about people who are smarter than they realize, but who can’t see their own flaws. It’s a show about denial, and it’s a show about growth.
“Archer” is not perfect. Some episodes are better than others. The show’s reliance on product placement can be distracting. The show’s handling of race and gender can be problematic. But the show’s strengths outweigh its weaknesses. It’s a show that is consistently entertaining, and it’s a show that is consistently thoughtful.
The show is a triumph of voice acting, writing, and animation. It’s a show that is greater than the sum of its parts. It’s a show that is a joy to watch.
The show is a cultural artifact. It’s a show that captures a moment in time. It’s a show that will be studied for years to come. It’s a show that deserves its reputation.
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