Archer isn’t afraid to get dirty
ISIS is back for a new set of missions! With Archer missing and having lost his memory, ISIS must retrieve him and that sets in motion a whole new series of action. Be it battling North Koreans, rescuing dogs, infiltrating the Vatican, or going to the ocean floor to stop terrorists, Archer and the team of ISIS is up to task…or at least until it gets too hard.
Archer—Season 4 aired from January 17, 2013 to April 11, 2013 on FX. The series continues to receive high praise and has a rabid fan base.
Just a ride in the park
I love Archer. It just hit the right nerve especially with timing and off-color jokes. While some similar shows use jokes that throw off the pacing of a show, Archer gets it just right. This season is no different in that sense.
Archer is often described as Arrested Development meets James Bond and I don’t think that is a bad description. A majority of the series is the almost troubled family of the dysfunctional ISIS instead of actual spy stuff. Honestly though, I think the spy-centric episodes are the ones that work best. Episodes like “Honeymooners” and “The Papal Chase” are fun and get the balance down a bit better than some of the less spy-based episodes.
Everyone’s watching Archer…so should you!
The characters are what make this show, and it is a necessity to watch the show regularly. It is one of those shows that rewards regular viewers, and it really adds to the humor with recurring lines, events, and character traits which enhance the viewing. With four seasons under its belt, Archer has a ton of returning jokes.
I still find the art for Archer rather interesting. The sleek look borrows visuals from Mad Men with a touch of South Park and its subdued art style. It probably isn’t for everyone, but it does work for me.
Archer is a great cartoon. It is fun and clever and despite having four seasons, it remains fun and clever. Archer takes a change after this season with a soft reboot and retitling itself Archer Vice…with new themes and ideas.
Archer—Season 4 Complete Episode Guide:
“Fugue and Riffs”
4.1 Fugue and Riffs Airdate: 01/17/13
Archer (H. Jon Benjamin) has lost his memory and he is living as a cook at a restaurant with a wife and stepchildren. When Russians come for Archer, Archer goes on the run. When Malory Archer (Jessica Walter) learns Archer’s location, she sets out with a team of ISIS agents to learn if Archer is faking his fugue state. Dr. Algernop Krieger (Lucky Yates) warns Malory that Archer must be eased into his memory, an ISIS sting is on. When the real Russians show up, the source of the attacks is revealed!
“The Wind Cries”
4.2 The Wind Cries Mary Airdate: 01/24/13
It is peer review time and Pam Poovey (Amber Nash) is getting ready. Archer learns his former best friend and ODIN agent Luke Troy (Timothy Olyphant) has been murdered during a uranium exchange. Archer refuses to believe Luke is dead and a traitor and sets out to clear his name. Archer heads to Vermont when he learns Troy is alive…but Troy has other plans for Archer.
“Legs”
4.3 Legs Airdate: 01/31/13
Ray Gillette (Adam Reed) deals with being confined to a wheelchair, but Krieger tells Ray that he could help him walk with bionics…unless Archer has something to say about it. While Kreiger and Pam work on Ray, Archer tries to get in the lab to stop him. Malory deals with going on a cruise with her husband Ron Cadillac (Ron Leibman).
“Midnight Ron”
4.4 Midnight Ron Airdate: 02/07/13
Archer finds himself trapped in Canada without his passport and is saved when his stepfather Ron arrives to help. With Ron helping to get him back into the U.S., Archer learns that Ron might have some secrets himself.
“Vicious Coupling”
4.5 Vicious Coupling Airdate: 02/14/13
Lana Kane (Aisha Tyler) is seeing Cyril Figgis (Chris Parnell) again and found by Archer. Archer gets a call from his ex-Katya Kazanova (Ona Grauer) and is hired to get Barry (Dave Willis) back from space.
“Once Bitten”
4.6 Once Bitten Airdate: 02/21/13
Archer, Ray, and Cyril go on a mission in Turkmenistan and Archer is bit by a snake while going to the bathroom. Lana finds herself in conflict with Malory over the Turkmenistan mission. Archer finds himself near death and is given a tour of his life by James Mason.
“Live and Let Dine”
4.7 Live and Let Dine Airdate: 02/28/13
Archer, Lana, Ray, and Cyril are going undercover on a TV series called Bastard Chef with Lance Casteau (Anthony Boudain) to prevent an assassination. Pam and Cheryl (Judy Greer) try to get Malory into Seize or Malory threatens to kill Pam’s goldfish.
“Coyote Lovely”
4.8 Coyote Lovely Airdate: 03/07/13
Archer betrays ISIS to traffic illegal immigrants as Malory tries to learn from Cyril and Lana what went wrong. When Archer is shot by the border patrol, he finds himself fighting for his life…but is immigrant Mercedes Moreno (Carla Jiminez) who she says she is?
“Honeymooners”
4.9 Honeymooners Airdate: 03/14/13
Archer and Lana pose as honeymooners to stop a North Korean uranium deal. As Archer tries to score, Pam, Cyril, and Cheryl stake out the stake-out. Malory learns Archer is using her credit card, and Archer makes a rash decision in the mission.
“Un Chien Tangerine”
4.10 Un Chien Tangerine Airdate: 03/21/13
A mission to Morocco has Lana and Archer escorting a dog named Kazak. When Lana quits, Archer and Kazak find themselves battling terrorists to rescue her. Plus, Pam makes a big decision about her future with ISIS.
“The Papal Chase”
4.11 The Papal Chase Airdate: 03/28/13
ISIS gets a tip that Pope has been targeted for assassination. With Archer and Pam going undercover at Vatican City, Lana finds herself taking care of Woodhouse as a Pope replacement.
“Sea Tunt—Part 1”
4.12 Sea Tunt—Part 1 Airdate: 04/04/13
A U.S. bomber carrying a nuclear warhead has crashed in the Bermuda Triangle. Teaming with Cheryl’s brother Cecil (Eugene Mirman) and his fiancée Tiffy (Kristen Schaal), ISIS is headed to recover the bomb before the Russians in hopes of selling it back to the U.S. As the team heads to their location, Cecil’s real plans are revealed!
“Sea Tunt—Part 2”
4.13 Sea Tunt—Part 2 Airdate: 04/11/13
ISIS must save the world from a nerve gas attack by Captain Murphy (Jon Hamm) who has taken control of Cecil Tunt’s underwater sealab. With a team of Archer, Lana, Ray, and Cecil posing as a camera crew, Captain Murphy must be stopped…and one will die! Also, Lana reveals a big secret about her health.
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Related Links:
Archer—Season 1 Review and Complete Episode Guide
Archer—Season 2 Review and Complete Episode Guide
