Production Note: Archer Producer —- and the man behind “Mulatto Butts” — Casey Willis will be dropping in this afternoon to answer questions and comment on last night’s episode. Please direct all questions @Casey in the thread.
I usually save my pop culture reference count for the last bullet point but “Midnight Ron” may have set a new Archer record for both quantity and quality. By my count — on top of the Midnight Run homage — we were treated to Human Centipede, C.H.U.D., “The Ballad of the Flim-Flam Man,” Master P, The Flintstones, CW McCall, Psycho, Norman Bates, John Waters, Road Warrior, and — of course — a Pac-Man Jones callback. Phew. *chugs Red Beer*
And I’m sure there are several I’ve missed. Not to mention Ron Lieberman (aka Ron Cadillac) is the real-life husband of Jessica Walter, which seems like a reference in and of itself (this list can suck it).
In the midst of all of this goodness we were treated to a highway shootout (killer artwork btw), learned the Ron Cadillac (shockingly not his real last name) backstory, met a pack of sadistic transvestite truckers, and experienced some good old fashioned mother’s husband/son bonding via road trip.
Loads of notes, so here we go:
- “Herd of Quebecian whores” vs. “Free penicillin compliments of the socialist republic of Canada”: Who ya got?
- Nice to have you back, Pam’s lunch crockpot. Nice to have you back.
- It only reaches “third biggest fear” status if the whore has bangs. Separately they’re much lower fears, I presume.
- The “Ron Cadillac is freakin’ epic!” glass smash/trashed hotel room felt slightly out of place after viewing the entire episode. I have to presume this is just how old dudes get pumped for cross-border money runs, whereas I would popped in “36 Chambers.”
- My guess at most underrated part of the episode: The Archer-needs-help phone call transfer-athon highlighting what everyone does during slow times in the office.
- “And I basically own him.” Poor Woodhouse. I see a bowl of spiderwebs in your future.
- “Of carbons many oxides.” Walter White approves of chemistry callbacks.
- Rhinos can’t make phone calls > Ashton Kutcher’s terrible f-ing movie.
- By my math Ron’s car-boosting flashbacks did not help with the Archer universe time displacement.
- Verbatim cutaways are now just a rung below chubby kid Archer cutaways.
- “Kickin’ it Bedrock-style” – most repeatable line of the night.
- Tunt Railways: Where only the hobo-iest of hobos hobo.
And finally, old gypsy woman foreboding that wasn’t revealed as foreboding until the time of the incident? Archer 1,487; Tropes 0. Enough of my rambling?
Got it. Chet Manley GIFs on the next page as to not crash too many browsers.
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Pam is ghetto!
I’m not sure if this has been mentioned yet, but that was the second Pacman Jones reference in the series right? Both from Pam obviously
Make it rain, bitches
Upon another watching something else I noticed.
A Voight-Kampff reference and I randomly put ‘The Double Deuce’ episode on and Sterling mentions Woodhouse having to eat a bowl of spiderwebs 3 times.
I’ve just received the Chylmidiot badge.
So was there a point to the transvestite truckers?
I liked the episode. I liked how upfront ron was about Malory and archer’s weird relationship.
Lana on the phone was great.
I also have a feeling ron is going to die by season’s end, anyone else get that vibe?
This might be in the top 3 episodes of pure hilarity. Seriously, this episode was awesomely funny from beginning to end.
I was kinda sad though that Archer didn’t yell “Danger Zone!” after he yelled Ron’s name from the trunk 3 times.
Definitely a top episode. I always know its a good one when I laugh non-stop for the entire 3rd act.
Absolutely a top episode.
I love how we got characterization of the entire cast even though the episode was 80% Ron and Archer. And it always surprises me how good the animation can be especially during the action sequences.
I got a Death of a Salesman vibe from Ron in the hotel room pumping himself up. Also giant Alligators rampaging up in the toilet is a legitimate fear.
I love how Sterling’s hair was disheveled the entire episode until the tub. And the car going over the cliff with Archer jumping out of the back was very reminiscent of a scene in Gator with McKlusky jumping from a truck going over a cliff.
Chlamydiat, or would it be chlamidiot?
Chlamydiot. The answer we were looking for was Chlamydiot.
Kind of disappointed Ron’s real last name wasn’t Mardukis, but other wise a great episode.
That would have been great, and now that you mention it kinda obvious. Surprised they didn’t go with that
I really hope we get more Archer has a dad/Archer has a friend storyline, becuase it’s some stuff we haven’t really seen much of yet.
To be fair, A guy like Archer isn’t going to have many friends
There were so many outstanding lines that there is no way to pick just one. This is one of those episodes that demands multiple viewings. Also, multiple google lookups.
Woodhouse’s last comment was a episode high point of many.
I would absolutely take Woodhouse in. Poor Woodhouse.
I love that they make him so likable and we all love him so much and at the same time he’s still doing the heroin. Classic Woodhouse.
C’mon, guy doesn’t even know how to poach an egg. Seriously, that’s like Eggs 101
Balls makes a good point, wuggle. Do you really want to deal with a 200 year old junkie?
I mean, he won’t even bail you out if you’re stuck in Montreal without a passport. AND YOU’D BASICALLY OWN HIM!!!
I’d take Woodhouse in. . . only after he ate some cobwebs.
The easiest way to get out of paying a hooker is to run through a field of mud. FACT. Now also for escaping snuff filming trucker cross-dressers.
The independent small business owner sympathy was also used in Heart of Archness (think part 1)
Also, meat ball subs through a straw
Do you know what kind of margins those guys work on?
the things that pulled me in last night:
1) the human centipede chain – holy shit, i was freaked OUT
2) sterling is a fan of gender equality. who knew, right?
3) i love that the absinthe is being poured into a poovey farms milk container. LOVE IT.
Kicking it Bedrock style FTMFW! Xenu bless Archer.
The absinthe and milk is a throwback to the green russians form “Swiss Miss”
Nice catch
Plus the milk carton was from Poovey farms. Pam’s family dairy.
I know it has already been said by a few people, but those new 3D shots are excellent (saw the preview for next week as well)
I’m impressed with how many Archer staffers stop by for Q&As.
Yeah, it’s pretty cool.
What choice do they have? Who will take them in? No one that’s who.
Uproxx has cache.
Poor Woodhouse, his line about running away was a little too sad, I just wanted to give him a hug. Then it lapped around to funny again with the bowl of spiderwebs.
I love that Archer’s punishment of Woodhouse is either forcing him to eat a bowl of spiderwebs or throwing his clothes off the balcony.
Every time.
Don’t forget, Archer also rubs coarse sand in Woodhouse’s little dead eyes
Only if Woodhouse buys sand
‘ron leibman’ not leiberman…just sayin
“Hey guys…if that’s how, you know…self-identify”
Who knew Sterling would be sensitive towards gender identity.
…and that’s how I got the Cyril badge.
Aww
Your grandkids will love that story.
STILL Brett Buckley over here.
Ass-ripping Sewer Gators is the new name of my FF team.
Think I’m going with Chlamydiots. Hopefully my idiot friends know how to read.
Last night Parks and Rec gave me an FF team name that Archer just couldn’t beat although Chlamydiots came SO close…
Fleetwood Mac Sex Pants
Or how about just Fleetwood Mac
Doesn’t matter. You’ll eventually just change your team name back to Mouse Rat anyway.
I don’t know if it’s been said (or said enough) but Chet Manley is doing God’s work
He sure is
+2
Something I just realized – Carol/Cheryl/Cristal had access to scissors to make her human centipede dolls. DOES NOBODY REMEMBER THE DICK SLEDGE INCIDENT?
Besides, NO sharp objects on the ward, they were super strict about that.
She may have chewed her way through it
“C’mon. Run like you’re younger.” Was definitely my favorite line of this excellent episode.
I think this one was my favorite too.
Fantastic episode. I’m convinced that truckers are either totally awesome or bad news, there is no trucker middle ground.
Always Sunny covered similar territory.
“Ron Cadillac is freakin’ epic!” Just realized how much Archer hates the word “epic” in that context. Hopefully this will be the reason they fall out later on.
The Montreal Casino was done perfect. Nailed the look.
Yuuuuup. Great work by the artists.
“I would popped in” ?!
Well, I can’t wait to catch this on my DVR.
@Casey I hate to admit that I love Sterling’s affinity for hookers, and that he had a love connection with a Cyborg(?) Russian spy. That is genius. I totally don’t look for any subtext. I simply read things for what they are…AWESOME!
Verified
I have to go in a couple minutes but I wanted to thank everyone for watching and for stopping by to chat. Also, thanks to Uproxx for all the support!
I have to go review a new episode that has some of the coolest animation that we’ve ever done!
Thanks for stoppin’ by, Casey! We all love the show.
Thanks for dropping by and keep up the great work.
Thanks for being cool and hanging out with us!
You’ve been awesome!
Thanks for answering my questions. Keep kicking ass.
Thanks so much!
Poor Woodhouse
Spider webs aren’t so bad. Sprinkle some season-all in there and go to town.
At least we know what The Woodhouse would be if they opened an Archer themed restaurant.
At least he’s not forcing him to eat spider eggs. Which could hatch. And grow inside him. And come out from various orifices.
Spider eggs:me::alligators:Sterling
Feels good to see Ray with his legs back
@Casey: How did you guys research the transvestite trucker costumes? Just, um, curious.
Verified
We had some brave illustrators dress up in costumes lovingly prepared by Kat Shea. Hmmm, maybe lovingly isn’t the right word. Horrifyingly prepared? I think she was pretty scarred afterward.
Shout out to Chaz, Ron, Shannon, and Pierre for being brave enough to wear that stuff.
The only thing that would have made it better is if one of them looked liked Walton Goggins.
@Casey Have to say this season has been solid as hell so far. Not that the previous seasons have been bad in any way, just a little uneven. Would you say this season is consistently the best one yet and if so, did that depend on anything particular? New processes for scripts and production etc? Or are you just more comfortable with the characters and episode creation?
Verified
I think it is a combination of a lot of things. I think every season has been great and it’s hard to judge them against one another because there is very little break between them for us guys working on them. I can tell you that you guys are going to see some very impressive visuals going forward this season.
Actually I take uneven back. The older seasons are very good and I just think season three suffered a little from the totally awesome three-parter that came half a year before the rest of the series.
@Casey – Your IMDB page tells me you not only produce Archer, but also provide the occasional voice. And you produced and illustrated for Frisky Dingo. How did you get your start in the business?
Verified
I’ve been working with Matt and Adam for almost 10 years. My friend Christian Danley started working for 70-30 (studio that made Sealab and Frisky) and helped me get an internship. That lead to freelance work which lead to a full-time job! I’ve done a lot of small voices on Archer (usually one or two lines). My biggest role was the hobbit on Frisky Dingo.
I also wrote The Xtacles with Christian and Matt. Even though it only lasted two episodes I was very proud of it.
Was TV always something you wanted to do, or did it just…kind of happen?
Verified
I was interested in animation when I was young but I thought it was all done by Disney or in Korea so I didn’t think I’d ever do it. Adult Swim just happened at the right time. I’ve very happy that we make such a cool looking show right here in Atlanta!
Correction–Herds of *Quebecer* whores. Combine that with the generous use of the expletive “tabernac!”and the Archer writers have their French-Canadian lingo down *pat*.
@Casey Does Sterling like sushi? I can’t remember.
Verified
Hmmm. I’m unsure. We know Gillette does because he’s usually eating a cute bento box for lunch.
Loved the Master P references, had me cracking up. Enjoyed the episode.
the animation last night was especially great
Mulatto butts is my lullaby to my 3month old
@Casey – How far are we from Bourdain showing up? Who’s your favorite guest this season?
Verified
Bourdain is a few weeks away. He was great. All the guests have been great. There are still some surprises in store!
Can we have Jon Hamm?
Jon Hamm would have to play an Archer-like who is way more suave and competent, and seduces all the women away from Sterling.
Basically an American Bond.
That would be fantastic
Wonder if he lets Woodhouse salt the spiderwebs or have something to wash them down?
Sand. Probably coarse
@Casey- Will the ISIS crew ever make it back down to Ferlin County?
Verified
No this season but maybe one day.
@Casey – Do people at work or on the street ever come up to you and scream ‘Mulatto Butts!! ” ?
If not, I hope we never cross paths.
Verified
Never. But storyboard artist Kevin Mellon just told me that when he first started working at Archer his ringtone was Mulatto Butts and he changed it so people wouldn’t look at him weird.