Archer The Complete Third Season

FX's Archer may very well be my favorite animated series on television. Setting aside its cartoon format, it's one of the best comedies, period. A mash up between workplace sitcom and spy adventure, Archer follows Sterling Archer (H. Jon Benjamin) and the staff of ISIS as they travel the globe, foiling bad guys, wrestling with ocelots, and sleeping with each other. Just before season four premieres this week, The Complete Third season has been released on DVD and Blu-ray.

Note: I've previously written articles about several of the episodes mentioned. Click on the links in the episode titles for those full reviews.

Season three begins with a three part tale entitled "Heart of Archness." Originally having aired months before the rest of the season, and now available in an extend edition on discs, the story follows Archer as he attempts to get over the grief of losing his wife. Along the way, our hero becomes a pirate king, as his friends try to find him. The miniseries guest stars the great Patrick Warburton and David Cross.

After that, we get ten more fantastic episodes. In "The Man From Jupiter," Archer is thrilled to meet Burt Reynolds (himself), until Archer realizes that Burt is banging Archer's mother, Malory (Jessica Walter). "El Contador" marks Cyril's (Chris Parnell) first mission as a field agent, while those back at the base take hallucinogenic drugs. In "The Limited," the team is on a train, and so is Cheryl's (Judy Greer) pet ocelot, which Archer has an intense fascination with. "Lo Scandalo" finds Malory bringing in her staff to help cover up a death in her apartment. "Bloody Ferlin" is a Ray (Adam Reed) story. The two-part season finale, "Space Race" guest stars Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad), brings back old foe Barry (Dave Willis), and takes the cast beyond the planet Earth.

On top of all these adventures, there are serial plot lines. For instance, Archer finds the best sex of his life in office worker Pam (Amber Nash), whom he is embarrassed to be seen with at first. This puts Archer in a tough spot, and makes him examine his priorities. But it also allows him to grow as a human being, and begin to get over his ill-fated bride.

As usual, there are some great extras on The Complete Third Season. The best parts are the three shorts. One features Archer's Gator 2 trailer, and what his co-workers think about it. Another is a blatant advertisement for the show's tie-in book, How to Archer, that gets enough laughs as Archer avoids recording the audio version that one doesn't care if it's trying to sell you something or not. (My opinion: buy the book.) Third is Archer's attempt at a cooking show, which also serves to champion the book.

Three episodes get audio commentary by the creator of Archer, Adam Reed, and several cast members. These may not be commentaries in the strictest sense of the word, because they do go on quite a few tangents. However, the people involved in this show have a wonderful dynamic, and they are very entertaining.

Sadly, the Comic Con 2012 special is just the opening bit, rather than the panel itself. Most shows shy away from including a full Q&A session on their DVD releases, either because they fear it will get boring, or because they want to keep the experience special to those who attended. I wish this were not the case, because I would really have liked to have seen more of this, and like most fans, will likely not get the chance to attend such events. But what is included is good.

In short, Archer The Complete Third Season is a great buy, and should provide plenty of enjoyment. It is available now.

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Article first posted on TheTVKing

Archer meets "The Man From Jupiter"

     FX's Archer just premiered its full third season, save for a miniseries trilogy last fall, with "The Man From Jupiter." While at a bar, Archer (H. Jon Benjamin) meets his hero, Burt Reynolds (voicing himself)! But things take a turn for the worse when Archer learns that Burt is there for a date with Archer's mother, Malory (Jessica Walter). Disgusted, Archer kidnaps Burt. When the rest of the team attempts to correct the situation, they are assaulted by Columbians, who think that Ray (series creator and this episode's writer, Adam Reed) is Archer. Burt, with Archer along for the ride, races to the rescue, and Archer backs off interfering with Malory's relationship.

     While Burt Reynolds has not been doing a whole lot of acting in recent years, he is still an icon for many because of the legendary roles he played, and the great talent he brought to them. Many of those parts are referenced in "The Man From Jupiter," (though strangely not one of the best, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas), and it's an utter delight to honor Burt in such a way. Many series might go for poking fun at Reynolds, or making him silly in somehow. But not Archer, who makes Burt's character live up to the hero status bestowed on him. It's actually refreshing and welcome.

     It is also incredibly funny, in contrast to the title character. The two spend most of "The Man From Jupiter" together, and so there is plenty of room for comparison. Archer may claim he is the world's greatest spy, but Burt quickly demonstrates he could do better, without being condescending about it. Burt also stays cool as a cucumber no matter what Archer puts him through, whereas Archer flies off the handle at the slightest things. Fans of Archer know that Archer is not the man that he thinks he is, but it's a rare treat to see him so obviously compared to someone who is a legend, and would live up to that persona.

     One should never pass up an opportunity to see a drunk, angry Malory, and this episode does not. Devastated by the break up letter Archer leaves pretending he is Burt, she goes off the rail, getting smashed and ranting. Poor Burt. Who would want to take out Malory in the condition he finds her in? Yet, true to the gentlemanly nature of this version of Reynolds, he is warm towards her, and keeps their date, even though that means taking Malory out in public fully inebriated. It's too bad their date scene doesn't make it into the episode.

     One of the very strong elements of Archer is the workplace ensemble. "The Man From Jupiter" does allow for a bit of that, as everyone is upset at Archer for hurting Malory. They rush to her defense, which is sweet, considering they all constantly complain about her. But it's not as though they like Archer any better. So what viewers get is the wonderfully funny image of Ray trying to use a wheelchair ramp to get out of Krieger's (Lucky Yates) van, while Lana (Aisha Tyler) shoots at the would-be assassins, and the two argue over whether Ray is fit for the job any more. Classic, perfect scene!

     In it's third season, Archer continues to deliver the humor and characters fans have come to expect. "The Man From Jupiter" is a rousing success, and should build excitement for the rest of the season. Watch Archer Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET on FX.

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Article first published as TV Review: Archer - "The Man From Jupiter" on Blogcritics.