6. Swiss Miss (Season 2, Episode 1)
In a show rife with instances of Archer being a callous womaniser with little regard for what others may feel, ‘Swiss Miss’ stands out as maturing him significantly. The episode centres around Anka Scholtz (Kari Wahlgren), a 16-year old German heiress whose nymphomania threatens to test Archer’s sensibilities. His understanding of her pain as coming from a gross neglect throughout her childhood is a touching moment. This happens amidst all the chaos that ensues in protecting her from a hit squad of twin brothers and a woman who can’t tell which one’s her lover, who are all hilarious in their own right.
5. El Secuestro (Season 2, Episode 10)
Cheryl and Pam get their well-deserved time in the spotlight, as this episode deals with two distinct events that are nevertheless linked to each other: Pam is kidnapped, but her captors have mistaken her for Cheryl, who was their actual target. The revelation about Cheryl being a rich heiress, to the extent of owning a mansion and the aforementioned ocelot, contributed to her character development. This also made her peculiar behaviour more palatable as she never had to be in jail for too long. Pam’s negotiations with her captors are a treat to watch too.
4. Vision Quest (Season 6, Episode 5)
‘Vision Quest’ is a gem amongst all of ‘Archer’ insomuch that it radically changes the setting to that of a stifling elevator. This is a far cry from the expansive locales where ISIS conducts its missions. The episode is a masterclass in character development where the frayed bonds amongst all of them come to a head, exemplified by the cramped space. Adam Reed almost outdoes himself in this one with his writing packing several punches.
3. Stage Two (Season 2, Episode 8)
Archer’s diagnosis of Stage II breast cancer would be one of the pivotal points of the show, and one that would help in humanising our hero, if only a little. He acts out in his usual entitled, arrogant way by pleading with Lana to sleep with him. He doesn’t even take his illness seriously, arriving four hours late at the hospital. It is what happens after that that leads to side-splitting television, and raises the stakes in the way only this show can.
2. Skytanic (Season 1, Episode 7)
‘Archer’ has never claimed to exist in a certain time period. This has allowed its stories to be flexible, and be able to adapt both historical as well as topical allusions, events, and practices simultaneously. ‘Skytanic’ sees this in full effect, as the episode is an exaggerated mockery of the Hindenburg disaster of 1937 while also referencing Stan Lee, Scooby Doo, and even the Oprah Winfrey-Gayle King relationship. The unexpected real bomb threat on the ship is also quite funny, given that Malory’s vacation was scuppered at the last second.
1. Placebo Effect (Season 2, Episode 9)
This glorious half-hour of television is fuelled by the “RAMPAGE!” of Archer as he discovers that his expensive medication for his cancer is fake. His decision to kill all the members of the Irish Mob, who were responsible for the fake drugs, reveals a more emotional side to him. Lana filming his violent kills interrupted by his very prominent illness imparts a surprisingly encouraging tone to the proceedings. His bond with Ruth (Joan Van Ark) plays a crucial part, as he recollects their conversation when they were both being treated. His rage is even higher precisely because her death was facilitated by the fake drugs. A definite sense of poetic justice is evident in the episode’s glorious conclusion, and it is almost certainly, the best that ‘Archer’ has ever produced.
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