Archer is a wonderfully absurdist frolic for strictly adult audiences. Fundamentally this show is a giant spoof of 1960s spy thrillers; a spoof made for decidedly 21st century sensibilities. It’s the show Get Smart would have been had all the characters been perpetually high on crystal meth.
However you felt about season one, you’ll probably feel the same way about season two. Personally, I love it! I don’t think season two is actually any better than season one, but I don’t think the quality has dropped at all either. So long story short, what we get here is more of the same. But without, I should stress, the show becoming merely repetitive.
If you haven’t seen season one yet, I would suggest you begin at the beginning rather than just plunging in here. Season two does pick up pretty well exactly where season one left off. It’d be overstating things to say that this show is story-driven; it’s more like a comedic improv act than that. But unlike most of Cartoon Network’s [adult swim] cartoons, Archer does have a definite continuity. It’s not like Aqua Teen Hunger Force where characters regularly die or get horribly mutilated only to be back again as normal the very next episode. In this universe when things happen, they’ve happened, and subsequent episodes do build on what’s gone before.
In fact, in many ways this show is a whole lot like a more grown-up version of the original [adult swim] lineup. The sense of humor is certainly no less deranged. Things are as amoral and as brutal as ever. The difference is that the descent into anarchy is now played out on a much larger, more elaborate stage. What’s more, given the success of the [adult swim] franchise, we’re now watching shows with real budgets. This means that we can finally move beyond art lifted from old Hanna Barbera cartoons and into a world all our own. A jet-age, pop-art world that’s smart, sexy, and at times just plain disturbing. Every bit as disturbing, say, as accidentally stumbling upon your mother’s vibrator…
Not that I’m giving away any spoilers, you understand.
I’d never do that to you.
Theo.
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Rare are those shows that actually grow and show improvement with each subsequent season. This is one of those shows…
While the first season focused mainly on the ensemble aspects, it still revolved mostly around the title character. I am, in no way, taking anything away from Season One. It still stands head and shoulders above the typical sitcom dribble that pollutes network TV. However…I have to say that I laughed like I haven’t in years watching the second season.
The supporting cast was definitely more fleshed out (as much as you can in an animated series). The cancer themed episodes, while gut bustingly hilarious at times, also showed a side to Sterling that wasn’t there in season one…a bit of a soft side. Pam, Cheryl, and Krieger each had several times to shine as stand alone characters of interest. I have to give the MVP of season two to Pam, though. Her past is more brought to light and the “kidnapping” episode really shows you just how strong her character is (literally and figuratively). Lana, Cyril, and Malory still seem pretty one dimensional…but each have their moments in the sun this season as well.
Hands down…still one of the funniest and smartest comedies in TV history…and second only to Arrested Development.
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Archer is one of those shows that has to be watched to be properly understood. I could write about how there’s this group of occasionally competent spies called ISIS, ruled over by alcoholic Mallory Archer, or about the self-centered, barely survived adventures of her son. But first, I don’t want to spoil things, and second, to re-iterate, Archer has to be watched to be properly understood. I’ll just say that I’ve seen every episode several times, and the better ones many more than that.
At turns hilariously funny, ridiculously twisted, and strangely badas*, Archer takes many of the elements of previous cartoons, but goes so much further. It combines the absurd situations of “Family Guy” with the bluff aggressiveness of “American Dad”, adds in the inter-relationships central to “Futurama”, and leavens the mix with more mature elements, plot continuity, and character growth rarely seen in animated shows. The result is a genius on behalf of the writing team that is unmatched.
To fully capitalize on writing, a show needs animation and voice acting; Archer delivers these in spades. The animation is somewhat “Pop-Art” stylized, with clean lines, movement and coloration that could have come out of Warhol’s “Factory”; it might also remind older viewer of 1990’s Jonny Quest (which I used to watch as a kid). The cast, many of whom were members of “Arrested Development”, don’t disappoint; Sterling Archer’s lines especially are delivered with a timing and panache that fully express every iota of the writing’s potential.
The DVD is definitely worth buying to enjoy the images in full, high-def quality, and makes a great present for adult “children” of all ages.
I’d recommend watching the first season first (crazy idea, right?), since some of the references are to earlier episodes. Once you start Archer, you won’t want to miss any of it, and equally won’t want any spoilers if you have to backtrack.
0
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As Serious as Sex Addiction…,
However you felt about season one, you’ll probably feel the same way about season two. Personally, I love it! I don’t think season two is actually any better than season one, but I don’t think the quality has dropped at all either. So long story short, what we get here is more of the same. But without, I should stress, the show becoming merely repetitive.
If you haven’t seen season one yet, I would suggest you begin at the beginning rather than just plunging in here. Season two does pick up pretty well exactly where season one left off. It’d be overstating things to say that this show is story-driven; it’s more like a comedic improv act than that. But unlike most of Cartoon Network’s [adult swim] cartoons, Archer does have a definite continuity. It’s not like Aqua Teen Hunger Force where characters regularly die or get horribly mutilated only to be back again as normal the very next episode. In this universe when things happen, they’ve happened, and subsequent episodes do build on what’s gone before.
In fact, in many ways this show is a whole lot like a more grown-up version of the original [adult swim] lineup. The sense of humor is certainly no less deranged. Things are as amoral and as brutal as ever. The difference is that the descent into anarchy is now played out on a much larger, more elaborate stage. What’s more, given the success of the [adult swim] franchise, we’re now watching shows with real budgets. This means that we can finally move beyond art lifted from old Hanna Barbera cartoons and into a world all our own. A jet-age, pop-art world that’s smart, sexy, and at times just plain disturbing. Every bit as disturbing, say, as accidentally stumbling upon your mother’s vibrator…
Not that I’m giving away any spoilers, you understand.
I’d never do that to you.
Theo.
0
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|A funnier sophomore season!!!,
While the first season focused mainly on the ensemble aspects, it still revolved mostly around the title character. I am, in no way, taking anything away from Season One. It still stands head and shoulders above the typical sitcom dribble that pollutes network TV. However…I have to say that I laughed like I haven’t in years watching the second season.
The supporting cast was definitely more fleshed out (as much as you can in an animated series). The cancer themed episodes, while gut bustingly hilarious at times, also showed a side to Sterling that wasn’t there in season one…a bit of a soft side. Pam, Cheryl, and Krieger each had several times to shine as stand alone characters of interest. I have to give the MVP of season two to Pam, though. Her past is more brought to light and the “kidnapping” episode really shows you just how strong her character is (literally and figuratively). Lana, Cyril, and Malory still seem pretty one dimensional…but each have their moments in the sun this season as well.
Hands down…still one of the funniest and smartest comedies in TV history…and second only to Arrested Development.
0
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|Hilarious, Twisted, Cartoon Art,
At turns hilariously funny, ridiculously twisted, and strangely badas*, Archer takes many of the elements of previous cartoons, but goes so much further. It combines the absurd situations of “Family Guy” with the bluff aggressiveness of “American Dad”, adds in the inter-relationships central to “Futurama”, and leavens the mix with more mature elements, plot continuity, and character growth rarely seen in animated shows. The result is a genius on behalf of the writing team that is unmatched.
To fully capitalize on writing, a show needs animation and voice acting; Archer delivers these in spades. The animation is somewhat “Pop-Art” stylized, with clean lines, movement and coloration that could have come out of Warhol’s “Factory”; it might also remind older viewer of 1990’s Jonny Quest (which I used to watch as a kid). The cast, many of whom were members of “Arrested Development”, don’t disappoint; Sterling Archer’s lines especially are delivered with a timing and panache that fully express every iota of the writing’s potential.
The DVD is definitely worth buying to enjoy the images in full, high-def quality, and makes a great present for adult “children” of all ages.
I’d recommend watching the first season first (crazy idea, right?), since some of the references are to earlier episodes. Once you start Archer, you won’t want to miss any of it, and equally won’t want any spoilers if you have to backtrack.
0
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|