[Note: I'll try to keep
this spoiler free, but there are a few I can't avoid.]
[Another Note: I refer to
those involved in the show as “them” and “they”, and not to
any individual creative element, because I believe the show functions
as a team, and every aspect and element of the team behind “Archer”
excels. All the factual information you need on the show can be found here.]
I love "Archer"
because it evolves. I tend to enthuse so much about Season 1 because
I look at it through my "now" eyes instead of remembering
back to my "then" eyes. It is true it took them about 6-8
episodes to really find their stride, working through some basic
character elements, etc. Pam, for example, is by far NOT the person
she seemed to be in the first few episodes.
That said, they do find
their groove quickly, and once they do they don't make the mistake of
letting it turn into a rut. They're not afraid to offend, and yet the
characters retain an essential humanity that makes me like them all.
God help me, Dr. Krieger is everything I would hate in a real person,
and yet love in Krieger.The jokes themselves
evolve, and although they do go the same well fairly often, they
always come back with a new variation on the original that keeps
things fresh and organic.
 |
| "Uta!" That's how you talk. |
The litany of bad guys
has only one flaw. SO many villains I love come and go so quickly I
never really have time I need to enjoy them all. I want more Conway!
More Mannfred and Uta! More Spelvin and Chan(s)! Charles and Rudy!
Honestly, these characters are so great it's almost a crime this show
isn't spitting out spin-offs like some sort of spitting thing that
spits out a lot of other things.
Now, don't get me wrong folks, I love Ray and Woodhouse, but I'm going to focus on my favourites.
As for the main
characters:
 |
| First of all, it's "Dr. I'll Solve Your Ant Problem." |
Dr. Krieger. I should
hate this guy. Like really, really. No spoilers, but jeez, the more
you find out about Krieger, the more you keep wondering why the FBI
hasn't made him Public Enemy #1. And yet, for some reason, I like
him. He definitely keeps things interesting. He is the Venn Diagram
where chaos and science overlap.
I didn't care for her at
first, but once Pam found her backbone, I was like, wtf. Looking
back, I think maybe she was playing possum at first, trying to fit in
at ISIS, and keep her private life a secret. Eventually she realized
that you probably can't keep secrets from spies. Luckily she had also
realized everyone else working their was bat-shit crazy, she saw fit
to unleash her inner bad-ass.
 |
| It has to be your place. Mine totally reeks of ocelot piss. |
It's a damned good thing
Cheryl's rich, because there's no way she could function in society
without effectively-limitless wealth behind her. Her idiosyncrasies
are bizarre, dangerous, unhealthy, and yet somehow cute, like say if
a puppy was somehow firing a .50 caliber machine gun at a bus full of
grade-school bullies.
Now Cyril is the kind of
guy I love to hate. He seems straight-forward and honest at first,
but soon reveals his inner douche. His neediness and insecurity act
as feedback loops guaranteeing he'll live the exact life he fears to
live, and yet he seemingly revels and rejoices in his own downward
spiral. So yeah, it's a laugh when bad things happen to him.
Malory Archer I believes
sets the adage: you can't be a good parent and a good spy. Malory
appears to be okay with this, and has no problem enjoying making life
bad for her son. Her parenting ranges from criminal neglect to
deliberate, pointless cruelty, and yet she somehow manages to
maintain a precariously-balanced dysfunctional relationship with
those around her. I believe Malory Archer and Lucille Bluth would
love meeting one another.
 |
| Baby, I AM putting you in the corner! |
I would say Lana's the
closest to an actual functioning adult at ISIS. She's bad-ass, and
knows when to apply excessive force, and isn't shy about redefining
the word "excessive" based on the situation. When someone
acts irrationally and things get messed up as a result, Lana's among
the first with a barb. However, act irrationally and somehow manage
to achieve actual positive results, and Lana is smart enough to go
along for the ride ... while still slinging a few piercing barbs
along the way.
Archer. I would love this
guy in real life. Don't get me wrong, he's a dick, but he knows he's
a dick, is happy being a dick, and doesn't really care what anyone
else thinks about that. Malory's parenting provides us with the
ability to still love Archer, because no matter how bizarre his
behaviour gets, we can't help but believe - in light of his
upbringing - that he's actually a pretty well balanced guy. And he
really is a good spy. A bit like “Get Smart” was a good spy, but
he gets the job done. Archer may also be autistic, which is awesome.
 |
| Something something danger zone. I know. I'm not even trying anymore. |
Despite their various
severely deformed personality flaws, I like all the main characters.
First, because they're funny. Secondly, and I think most importantly,
because they are, for the most part, honest about who they are. They
own their idiosyncrasies proudly, and (apart from Cyril) they don't
try to hide from who they are. If they do something that offends,
they don't hide behind false apologies (well, except again for
Cyril). Their attitude is basically: “That's right, I did do
that, now what are you going to do about it?”
