Production Note: We welcome Archer Background Director Jon Bass in to chat with us for the first time this season. He will be here at 1pm EST. Please direct all your radioactive swine questions @Jon.
Just last week we sparked a conversation over why Archer has been taking so much punishment while inflicting so little of late, and right on cue not only is Sterling in a position to kick some North Korean ass but also to reference his many, many injuries. Get out of our brains, Adam Reed.
On the same note, it’s always nice to be reminded that when it comes to actual ops Sterling is pretty good at his job. I akin this to how The Office would occasionally work in that Michael Scott was actually a helluva salesman when he wanted to be. Just enough to provide a hint of value and reality in the midst of all the tomfoolery.
Before we get to the bullets and GIFs I’d like to take a moment to note what a gorgeous episode “The Honeymooners” was. The Floyd County team continues to outdo themselves. Now let’s get to it…
- TRUDY BEEKMAN SIGHTING (kind of). I’d forgotten until last night that Adam told us it is his mom doing Trudy’s voice. Not sure if we’ll be seeing anymore of “that b*tch” this season, but it’s still kind of alarming that she isn’t just an animated Liza Minnelli.
- “It’s lamb, ding dong, not salmon.” EVERYTHING about the Pam-Cyril office scene. EVERYTHING.
- I like to think Archer thought about replacing Cyril’s bottle of Glengoolie Blue with one of the three he ordered from room service only to giggle uncontrollably to himself at the preposterousness of the idea.
- It’s a GD shame it’s 2013 and I’m just now able to use the phrase “Power Blackout.”
- Piggly is kind of like Georgia’s uga mascot. One bites the dust and you just replace it with a newer, more radioactive version.
- Van Cliburn reference required a googling on my end. I’m a simpleton.
- But I was all over “Tom Demsey’d in the t*ts.”
- Cheryl’s act always plays like wasabi peas for me: at first I’m not feeling it but before long I can’t get enough.
- “Get in my big ole vagina. I’m Lana.” – Pam in Lana/Grimace voice. Never unhear it.
- Adam Reed segues have officially been deemed an art form by the people responsible for designating such things. I checked.
- “It’s not democratic. Not a republic. And definitely not glorious.”
- Pop Culture Reference Count: The Honeymooners, Van Cliburn, Tom Dempsey, Mission Impossible 4, Frontline, USS Pueblo, Snatch?
And finally, we can all now agree that Sterling & Lana are officially in Ross & Rachel will they/won’t they territory, right Mrs. Archer?
Chet Manley GIFs on the next two pages as to not crash too many browsers. Welcome Jon!
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The power black out is one of the best things ever, and so is Pam’s grimace voice.
Also has Krieger been cheating on his holgraphic wife with Pigly 3?
Malory’s description of how she’d kill Sterling. Very specific and incorporating his fear of alligators.
I was on a plane Thursday night and was complaining so much about missing Archer I thought my fellow passengers were going to knock me out cold.
There was a Tom Dempsey reference in Frisky Dingo as well (regarding a kicking baby). Awesome.
Archer will be revealed as a big fan of TV’s Hunter.
I still maintain that Archer’s line about North Korea was the funniest thing in that episode.
Also, Piggley III needs to be a somewhat reoccurring character.
Man, Krieger is just getting the best scenes this season. Please let this keep up…
“Aww, there goes my master plan…”
Krieger is the Big Bad and I love it.
I’m not sure if he’s the big bad, just an opportunist… and potentially a clone of Hitler… so, ok, maybe he’s the big bad because of genetics.
That’ll do Pigly (3)…that’ll do.
The dialogue this season is getting kind of lazy. At first all of the “phrasing” jokes, plus the “shut up” from Lana/Mallory were funny, now it’s just getting kind of tired.
Jon Bass said there were a lot of hints of things to come in this episode, and I’ve noticed a lot of “PITA MARGARITA” signage on trucks, signs, etc. over the last two or three episodes. I wonder if Pita Margarita’s is going to end up being a KGB cover or something.
After all, they do lure in the employees of a spy agency for happy hours and get them drunk.
I’m a big fan of the reoccuring jokes. Makes me feel rewarded for watching the show. Maybe that’s stupid. Anyway, I feel like they set up Archer’s dad then just kind of wandered away from it. Not that the episodes since the taint bite haven’t been funny.
The alligator pajamas was pretty cool. I think it may wait – maybe even until next season – or later – to reveal that little teaser. Archer not knowing his real father is part of what makes him tick. Why ruin that?
And, I thought “taint” was a womanly part. The masculine version of the same thing is called a “grundle”. Or so I’ve heard. It’s been bugging me since Ray refused to go grundle sucking.
So… Watched the episode again. On the Archer recap of his injuries since working at Isis; “Shot, stabbed, set on fire, posioned, shot, sexually assaulted, partially chewed, shot and declared legally dead, twice on the same day!” Anyone going to give us an episode list? Though the thing that really interested me was him having been shot 19 times. Surely someone has got a list of these things? Chet Manley Im looking at you kid….
I wonder if this is another aired out of order episode, because I can’t think of him ever being partially chewed, and next week has a giant fucking dog.
I would guess that he may have been on a mission and no one made an episode about it. So the totals might not add up. I think they’ve made it pretty clear that they do go on missions outside of the script of the show. But I like the idea of adding Archer’s injuries up. His mother shot him 5 times in the heart…. and a bandaid seem to fix it……
Cartoon people are the luckiest people.
I know Archer is a total douche, but Lana was actually being a total bitch unprofessional by NOT letting him feel her up. I mean, newlywed bride slapping her new husband’s hand off her ass is kinda suspicious
*total bitch and unprofessional
Just noticed the X-Rays and saw that Krieger smuggled the uranium inside of him and Pigley 3. Greatest show.
So we all agree that Lana’s big decision she came to in order to push Archer’s buttons was to marry Cyril, right?
I’d like to think it was a variation of being top agent/lining up to be in charge, and finally Brock Samson and giving a “Fuck it” to the whole business.
The reason why I think it was to marry Cyril was because she said Archer had no buttons to push except one. The only thing that seems to piss off Archer is Lana being with Cyril. Then, at the end of the episode when Cyril was caught being jealous/spying on Lana, she said something along the lines of “Thanks for making me reverse my big decision”, implying it had to do with him. Therefore, she was gonna marry Cyril to get back at Archer, but when she saw Cyril’s lack of trust (like in season 1 before she caught him cheating) she decided to scrap that plan.
Everything about that makes sense, but it seems like Matt to step something up and take a swerve in a different direction because it works. It seems like the only button Archer has is not getting his way, and there’s a lot of ways to hilariously exploit that.
I took the one button he has was coming in second / being out-done – That’s why she basically ran up the outside of the window upon that epiphany, Lana was going to do the mission, and take credit. And the decision was to step up her relationship with Cyril. Two separate things. But I’m often wrong when diagnosing the thought patterns of women. Sadly.
That’s what I assumed.
I think it was definitely choosing Cyril over Sterling.
I also thought it was to marry Cyril, but my gf thinks I’m an idiot.
These two items may not be related.
THe opening scene with Pam, had me rolling on the floor laughing! I can’t wait for next week, there is a Mastiff in it, and I own one!
Caught the first whiff of Sealab nodding, and it was great.
“Relax, it’s North Korea, the nation-state equivalent of the short bus”
I loved that line.
Ho my gawd, that first Pam .gif is incredible. I think I just stared at the thing for minutes.
/easily amused.
I’d also like to add that I have seen all but the last 15 minutes of MI4. It used to eat at me that I haven’t seen the ending. But now I am at peace.
I love how even when falling 30 stories Archer still remember “phrasing”
Boom
There was a reference in there – I believe Cyril was talking about Lana’s former sexual partners – and Pam asked what she thought of her. It referenced back to “Dial M for Mother” when Lana and Pam had sex. Lana saying she’d just think of Alex Karras.
the scene with Archer kicking that north korean dude is probably my favorite this season
Being kicked in the head with a bucket over it is pretty bad, but it’s those three kidney punches that really made me wince.
This episode had some tremendous action scenes.
piggly is my homie, homies.
and that office scene. GODDAMN.
How the hell did Lana lose her grip those goddamned Truckasaurus hands?
“Did I miss it?”
“Oh my God, the toilet?”
“No….but it is clogged”
Pam and Cheryl forever. Great tag team of absolute ridiculousness.
I’m still ecstatic about this little nugget.
great catch
I can barely make out “Murphy’s Gambit.” Too bad about Harry Goz, or I’d expect a visit to the home of Murphy Murph and the Feng Shui Bunch.
I’m kinda hoping they get his son as a VA during the season finale.
I will never look at a gyro the same way again……
Yep, never in my wildest would I have considered it in the manner Pam did
I could just watch a Pam and Cheryl buddy spinoff all day, everyday. Pam brings the food, Cheryl brings the money and tiger tranqs.
Pam will also provide the Green Russians.
Dusting off the food before going backing to humping is my new go to move
Pam last night was the best TV thing of 2013. And 2012.
Probably ’14 too.
I love Mallory breaking the last, last Stuben glass in her barehand. Although they need to have Lana doing those thing more… Truckasourus
Piggly III, the most adorable man eating radioactive pig on TV.
The X-Ray of Krieger’s crotch in the background of his lab is just great attention to detail.
Archer remembering being shot 19 times… Whats the money thats exactly how many times he has been shot. I would love this show if it was ONLY the funniest programme on tv but that isnt good enough for the makers of Archer. It also has total continuity, dozens of cultural references big and small, well rounded characters, incredible voice acting and hands down the best animation on a tv show there has ever been.
spot on
I grew up in Fort Worth where Van Cliburn has always been a big deal. Especially with his recent passing.
Pam/Cyril in the office was gold; what iced that perfectly bake cake were the little particles flying all over the place from her gyro…awesome touch.
The icy fingers of the ghost of some terrible honeymoon future.
It is taking all I have to not read and comment all over this until I finish the episode. I shall return.
I’ve been there…
Kreiger ratcheting up the eccentric quotient has been nothing but entertaining this season.
That’s just such a great character. While I loved that more Kreiger-centric episode this season, I think I prefer him in cameos. He’s the Boo Radley of Archer; there when you need him most.
Crap, I missed it. What was the ‘Snatch’ reference?
Using a pig to dispose of the bodies. Kind of tenuous. The tranquilized tiger gag could pass as a Manhunter reference.
Oh wow, yeah. That went right over my head. Many thanks.
Could just as easily be a Deadwood reference–all the bodies went into the pig pen.
I believe they also disposed of bodies via swine in Hanibal.
Yeah, I was thinking Woo from Deadwood there.
They did have two Deadwood veterans this year as guests.
Tranked-up tiger has to be my favorite single-episode running gag this season
Verified
Big time THANK YOU to Uproxx for having me and a super megaton THANK YOU to all the fans for all the kind words. There’s a lot more amazing stuff coming up so stay tuned- next week is gonna be hysterical! I have to get back to this finale episode in a few but I wanted to drop my info in case any of you would like to continue the conversation…….chat me up on Twitter or check out my non-Archer artwork.
Jon Bass:
Twitter: @BASSSHOLE
Web: http://www.bassholeart.com
Blog: [jnbillustration.blogspot.com]
As well here is the info for my super talented team of DUMB OLD DONKEYS!!!!…..WAIT I MEAN ARTISTS -SHIT!!!!
Lauren Brown – http://www.labillustration.com
Duncan Burris – http://www.duncanburris.com
Kim Feigenbaum – http://www.darktreestudios.com
Shayla Hall – [art-of-astrozerk.tumblr.com]
Dominic Prestera – http://www.dprest.com
and
Steffani Sicurelli who doesn’t have a website (WHAT?!)
(Great job on this season my doods!)
Again guys- love speaking with you, love the enthusiasm thank you so much for watching the show!
SMOKE FIGHT!!!!!!
wwoo00OOOO000ooo!!!!
Thanks for dropping by and please keep up the excellent work!
Verified
Anytime.
*digital high five*
Thank you
*digital beer clink*
I must say that @Basshole is the greatest twitter handle ever!
Thanks for spreading the credit to the dumb old donkeys too. Complete class move!
Pam badge! Where’d I put my lamb gyro and 40 of malt liquor?
Not even got to the opening credits and already its the funniest thing Ive watched all week.
Pam Poovey, please marry me.
I’d bet that the inspiration for the suction-cup climbing of the hotel was not M:I-4, but Superman: The Movie, when Superman catches a cat burglar using suction cups to climb a building. When the burglar falls, Superman flies down past him and catches him. The sequence in Archer is very, very reminiscent of it, and the reference is more in line with the general late-70s film inspiration aesthetic that the show is known for.
Freddy foreshadowing that Archer becomes the Archer version of Superman?
actually didn’t one of the animators or directors a couple weeks ago mention they had a big Ghost Protocol scene coming up?
I had the exact same thought.
The gyro leaking tzatziki sauce at the climax of Pam’s pantomime (Pamtomime?) was brilliant. BRILLIANT.
I feel so dumb thinking that Adam Reed is like reading my dream journal or something, but it just makes me so damn happy to see Archer be an ass, then immediately kick ass in the same blow. Also, that dive sequence was fucking awesome.
Ooooh piggly 3, such a cutie!
And gifs of Pam and food are the best!
@Jon So is Krieger evil, or does he have his own agenda that he’s willing to commit mild treason to accomplish? Working with North Koreans now, buying robo-Katya from the Soviets last season, etc?
What if he’s the Snape of Archer?
I thought it was pretty clear that Krieger is and always has been utterly amoral, and as referred to down the thread, chaotic neutral. However, I do wonder if the recent particular emphasis on said amorality will tie into an overarching story again.
Verified
Yeah I’d have to agree with chaotic neutral…….think of him as Archer’s Wernher Von Braun. Just be happy he is (seemingly) on our side.
Snape of Archer. I like it. I also like the idea of his master plan being glow-in-the-dark bacon.
Chaotic neutral, I like that. I have always thought of Krieger as having no moral compass.
get in my big ole vagina made me cry I laughed so hard
“I’m Lana.”
I’m sorry ma’am
For what? Dunkirk?
Line of the night right there
Yes. And the reference to “your effeminate yet somehow still condescending attitude” and other assorted France insulting.
Our specialty : Being insulted and get back for more.
@Jon One last question outta me then I’ll get back to pretending to work:
Is it Bass like the four-stringed guitar, or like the fish? I probably could’ve worded that a little more eloquently. ‘Pologies, sir
Verified
*Like the fish……
*answered in a super low Barry White voice.
The magazine Cheryl was reading near the closing scene had a underwater sea-lab on the cover. Hints of the season finale, no doubt.