[8.5/10] Oh man, what fun this is. Let’s be real, a lot of this episode is, at best, transgressive when it comes to LGBT and Latinx material, but it seems self-aware about that fact and still just hilarious. The cracker-jack dialogue the show is known for and the back and forth patter between the characters is outstanding.
I love Archer trying to honeypot a guy who (a.) isn’t interested in him and (b.) knows he’s an ISIS agent. The shtick with Archer not wanting to do this mission, and yet being offended that any human being doesn't want to sleep with him and so overcompensating is a winner. And so are Charles and Rudy! Again, this isn’t the most sensitive episode of television ever aired, but the duo coaching Archer up, dressing him down, and eventually betraying him is an utter hoot. (And their compassion toward Woodhouse mixed with Archer’s contempt for him is outstanding).
This is also just a great episode for running gags and side bits. Various people falling into the “And that makes it better?” “Doesn't it?” exchange is great. Mallory spitting fire a Jakov for suggesting she defect to Russia involves some good repartee and Cold War humor. Krieger chasing Danny the intern around after dosing him with his new “medication” is a dark but funny running gag. Cyril and Lana getting caught up in an ISIS-wide game of “bang, marry, kill” creates some good laugh lines. Pam being hurt at people’s reactions to her “bad picture” brings the yuks. And Cheryl’s bizarre strangulation fantasies are messed up, but amusing, particularly in her co-workers’ reactions to it.
But the main story really takes the cake here. Archer inadvertently bonding with Ramon (Ron Perlman) over their mutual oppressive mothers is delightful. The comedy of errors of the whole thing makes for a fun farce, and the pair’s back and forth when fending off Charles and Rudy is a hoot. This show knows how to sling dialogue and create funny and off-the-wall character situations like no other, and that definitely comes to the fore here.
Overall, a hilarious episode that takes an out there premise, makes it more insane, and somehow comes out the better, funnier, and more entertaining for it.
Review by Andrew BloomVIP 9BlockedParentSpoilers2020-03-14T23:02:36Z
[8.5/10] Oh man, what fun this is. Let’s be real, a lot of this episode is, at best, transgressive when it comes to LGBT and Latinx material, but it seems self-aware about that fact and still just hilarious. The cracker-jack dialogue the show is known for and the back and forth patter between the characters is outstanding.
I love Archer trying to honeypot a guy who (a.) isn’t interested in him and (b.) knows he’s an ISIS agent. The shtick with Archer not wanting to do this mission, and yet being offended that any human being doesn't want to sleep with him and so overcompensating is a winner. And so are Charles and Rudy! Again, this isn’t the most sensitive episode of television ever aired, but the duo coaching Archer up, dressing him down, and eventually betraying him is an utter hoot. (And their compassion toward Woodhouse mixed with Archer’s contempt for him is outstanding).
This is also just a great episode for running gags and side bits. Various people falling into the “And that makes it better?” “Doesn't it?” exchange is great. Mallory spitting fire a Jakov for suggesting she defect to Russia involves some good repartee and Cold War humor. Krieger chasing Danny the intern around after dosing him with his new “medication” is a dark but funny running gag. Cyril and Lana getting caught up in an ISIS-wide game of “bang, marry, kill” creates some good laugh lines. Pam being hurt at people’s reactions to her “bad picture” brings the yuks. And Cheryl’s bizarre strangulation fantasies are messed up, but amusing, particularly in her co-workers’ reactions to it.
But the main story really takes the cake here. Archer inadvertently bonding with Ramon (Ron Perlman) over their mutual oppressive mothers is delightful. The comedy of errors of the whole thing makes for a fun farce, and the pair’s back and forth when fending off Charles and Rudy is a hoot. This show knows how to sling dialogue and create funny and off-the-wall character situations like no other, and that definitely comes to the fore here.
Overall, a hilarious episode that takes an out there premise, makes it more insane, and somehow comes out the better, funnier, and more entertaining for it.