8x07 Gramercy, Halberd!

[7.2/10] Nice set up for the finale. For one thing, pairing up Archer and Len Trexler led to some good back-and-forth humor, right down the slapping with the steak. Lana, Pam, Cyril, Trinettte, and Cecil trying to escape made for some the group banter that the show is known for. Cecil chalking things up to his “priapism” or debates over who’s capable of fixing a car and, of course, a call of “suppressing fire” were fodder for some good laughs.

There was also some good action. The chase with Dutch did get a little monotonous at times, but the chariots of fire bit worked well, and getting the whole gang together at the end of the episode was a good bit too.

There was also some especially interesting stuff with Archer complaining about how this kind of shit always happens to him. I never know how to take this show, because sometimes it’s just irreverent and weightless fun, but other times it kind of deconstructs itself, and playing up how much crap Archer has been through definitely hits the latter note. The idea that he may be some combination of exhausted and exasperated with his harrowing adventures, and that this is his subconscious manifesting that in some way, is a really interesting one. There’s a hint of meta-ness to it, and I like it. We’ll see if it’s more than just a hint.

Overall, solid material going into the finale.