Archer dines out

Article first published as Archer dines out on TheTVKing.

In the next episode of FX's ARCHER, "Live and Let Dine," the team goes undercover at a fancy restaurant when an Albanian diplomat is threatened. To make matters even more fun, the dining establishment is the setting of a reality TV series entitled Bastard Chef. Of course, there are a couple of twists, and when it's all said and done, the staff of ISIS is just proven as incompetent as ever.

I like that ARCHER is always searching for new ways to spice up their comedy. The way that they excel in fresh settings and unexpected originality, even while doing a sort-of parody, is great! "Live and Let Dine" capitalizes on the recent craziness of celebrity chef television shows, but also gives it enough of its own flavor to avoid being a copy. An exquisite recipe, if I do say so myself!

The Bastard Chef himself is Lance Casteau (voiced by real celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain). He's a tool to everyone except Archer (H. Jon Benjamin) because, apparently, Archer has some newly discovered culinary talents. If only Archer would stop dropping bowls in the kitchen, ruining food and making a mess.

As with most of ARCHER's satirical guests, Bourdain deserves credit for not being afraid to make  fun of himself and what he does for a living. He definitely takes the joke in stride, even going for the promo lines on purpose, and being a extra big jerk.

ISIS could never be a real spy agency because they screw up too much. From the real story behind the threat, to the way they keep blowing their own cover while being filmed, it's often downright ridiculous. I find it highly enjoyable for a comedy, just not very realistic. It's a good thing believability isn't a selling point for ARCHER.

"Live and Let Dine" has all of the elements of a classic ARCHER episode: Archer hitting on Lana (Aisha Tyler); Lana being too aggressive and defying female stereotypes; Archer (and everyone else) picking on Cyril (Chris Parnell); Malory (Jessica Walter) acting inappropriately as the company head to get her own way; Pam (Amber Nash) being somewhat disgusting, but always hilarious; Cheryl (Judy Greer) being somewhat disgusting, but always hilarious; a sex joke that is as disturbing as it is hot; a reference to a recent episode, this time calling back Archer's time running a burger restaurant; and a recurring reference that doesn't quite make sense, this time Spain in the 1930s.

Then, just when you least expect it, ARCHER ties "Live and Let Dine" into a larger, season-long plot. ARCHER hasn't always paid so much attention to continuity, but as it ages, it has to keep doing things to reinvent itself and make sure that the quality doesn't suffer. This year's story involving Barry (Dave Willis) and Katya (Ona Grauer) fits nicely, calling back to previous plots, and deepening the characters.

Of course, comedy is the main goal of ARCHER, and this episode, like just about every other, delivers the laughs in spades. Which is why I continue to anticipate new episodes every Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET on FX. Also, Archer was just renewed for a fifth season.

Archer doesn't even know what "Fugue and Riffs" means

Grade: 91%

WARNING! SPOILERS AHEAD!

FX’s ARCHER is finally back this week with “Fugue and Riffs.” Archer (H. Jon Benjamin) has not been seen since his mother’s wedding, having run off, traumatized. But he soon surfaces down by the shore, living with a wife and kids, and running a greasy restaurant…

I can’t discuss the opening of “Fugue and Riffs” without spoiling something incredibly special, so I am just going to ask right now that you watch the episode and then come back to this article, because I just have to reveal the twist: The episode opens with Archer thinking his name is Bob, and he owns a place called Bob’s Burgers.

That’s right. Archer is living in the world of the FOX cartoon Bob’s Burgers, in which the titular character is also voiced by H. Jon Benjamin. All of the touches of Bob’s Burgers are there, including Jimmy Pesto’s across the street, Mort’s funeral parlor next door, the children and their goofy clothes, and even John Roberts voicing Bob’s wife, Linda. The only major changes are the animation style, which stays with what ARCHER viewers are accustomed to, and that Bob is the kids’ step-dad, having only lived there for two months.

I cannot express how awesome this mash-up is. It’s always been a little weird to switch back and forth between the two programs (both excellent and hilarious) and hear that same, distinctive Benjamin voice. I only wish that the conceit had been kept up, and maybe we would find out that, somehow, Archer had long been sneaking off to this secret family of his. Of course, that wouldn’t really work, plot-wise, and I’m grateful that this has been allowed to happen under any circumstances. Still, it’s quite a tease…

This isn’t the first time that ARCHER has referenced things, tongue in cheek, outside of the series itself. Jeffrey Tambor, who plays Jessica Walter’s husband on Arrested Development (new episodes coming to Netflix in May), has guest starred in four ARCHER episodes, so far, as a love interest for Walter’s character. It’s a bit meta, but meta is incredibly in right now, and has yet to grow stale.

The rest of “Fugue and Riffs” isn’t nearly as good. How can it be? There are plenty of signature ARCHER elements, a KGB attack (that starts in the burger joint), fun banter between Archer and Lana (Aisha Tyler), uncomfortable moments with Malory (Jessica Walter), some terrific Pam (Amber Nash) / Cheryl (Judy Greer) hang time, and tons of great one-liners and visual gags. Even the ending of the episode, discovering that Barry (Dave Willis), still up in his space station, is behind all of the trouble this week, is so unexpected and fun.

It feels wrong to complain about the rest of the episode because, if the opening hadn’t been so big, it would have been a typical ARCHER outing, and not at all a let down. The issue is, when an episode chooses such an explosive first few minutes, there has to be follow through, and there just isn’t here. Maybe the Bob’s Burgers stuff should have been worked into the finale of the episode, rather than the beginning. Maybe it just needed to start a larger story. Whatever the reason, it makes this episode slightly uneven.

Luckily, I’m sure that won’t be the case in the coming weeks. As I said, most of the episode is perfectly in keeping with the rest of the series, and ARCHER remains one of the best half hours on television. Its witty humor, smart writing, and delightful cast chemistry combine to make something really special. “Fugue and Riffs” has proven that these elements remain intact, after we get over the distraction of a brilliant initial sequence.

ARCHER airs Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET on FX.

Want to read some of my fiction? It's on my website, JeromeWetzel.com! Also, for the latest updates and article links, as well as commentary on episodes I don't fully review, please follow me on Twitter!

Article first posted on Seat42F

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.

Want to read some of my fiction? It's on my website, JeromeWetzel.com! Also, for the latest updates and article links, as well as commentary on episodes I don't fully review, please follow me on Twitter!

Article first posted on TheTVKing

Aqua Something You Know Whatever goes back to the Stone Age

Fans might have missed the return of Cartoon Network's Aqua Teen Hunger Force on Adult Swim a few weeks ago. This is because it has, yet again, changed the title. The series, now known as Aqua Something You Know Whatever, has not lost a bit of its comedic charm, and after a couple of years of mediocre tales, has returned to its former glory. This is definitely apparent in this week's installment, "The Granite Family."

"The Granite Family" plot is simple enough. Master Shake (Dana Snyder) has trouble relating a a Flintstones-esque cartoon on television, so he decides he needs to live through the Stone Age in order to get the jokes. Never mind that TV won't be around in that era. Frylock (Carey Means) offers his time traveling thong to Shake, but Shake decides a better option is to start a nuclear war, which he handily accomplishes, and the planet's cities are reduced to rubble. Riding out the event in Carl's (Dave Willis) bomb shelter, Frylock plans on using his thong to stop Shake, but fails.

Continuity has never been as important as laughs to Aqua Teen, no matter what the title of the series is. There have been many episodes where things are destroyed and characters die. Luckily, none of that sticks, as the show works because of the people and settings that make it up. Yes, Shake manages to level society in "The Granite Family," but that's just a great demonstration of how self-centered Shake is. Things will return to normal next week.

Nor should one worry about believability. The fact that Shake can easily sneak into the White House and launch missiles at Russia via a big, red, unguarded button is humorous and drives the plot forward. It's not important that there is no way this situation could take place in real life. Shake needed to reach his goal, and fast, so the writers devised a visually humorous way for him to do so.

Besides how funny the episode is, and believe me, there are a ton of great jokes, there are also a lot of terrific references shoved in. Anyone who enjoyed The Flintstones back in the day will grin when Aqua Teen pokes fun at the tropes and repeating elements of the classic series. Animals not enjoying their jobs? Yes, please! Longtime fans of this series will delight in a brief cut scene of Ignignokt (also Willis) and Err (Matt Maiellaro) on the moon, somehow understanding what Shake is doing. Plus, who can resist the obvious digs on Time Warner and Fox?

Now, my only problem with Aqua Teen has always been that it sometimes gets a little gross. For instance, in "The Granite Family," is it necessary to see Meatwad (Willis again) holding a steaming bag of liquid poo in the bomb shelter? This isn't funny to me, and actually interrupts enjoyment of the show. But perhaps to some fans, this kind of humor is what they are looking for, and if so, Aqua Teen has you covered,

Overall, the new season has been pretty solid, including this episode. Watch Aqua Something You Know Whatever Sundays at midnight on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim.

Check out my new website, JeromeWetzel.com.  If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Article first published on TheTVKing

Archer engages in a 'Space Race'

In the two-part season three finale of FX's Archer, the ISIS team is asked to travel into space. Told by Commander Drake (Bryan Cranston, Breaking Bad) that a mutiny has taken place on board a space station, the field agents and Malory (Jessica Walter) attempt to subdue the bad guys. Which kind of back fires when they learn that Drake is real the villain, planning to take them all to start a colony on Mars, with Lana (Aisha Tyler) slated to make the babies for the new settlement.

Sometimes the show has to stretch things a bit to keep the entire cast together. After all, the field agents all have their roles on this mission, but why Malory comes along is kind of a mystery. She's a little old to be popping out children. Archer's (H. Jon Benjamin) plot to sneak Pam (Amber Nash) on board for sex works, but wouldn't it make even more sense for Drake's plan if he insisted that Pam and Cheryl (Judy Greer) come for some reason, so there are more women available?

That aside, the two part "Space Race" is fantastically funny, as usual. When Archer delays saving the day to have a quickie with Pam, or Cyril (Chris Parnell) discharges his weapon wildly, or Ray (Adam Reed) ends up back in his wheelchair, or Lana runs down the hall with stickers on her boobs, laughs abound. Not to mention, an extended Animal Farm gag that seemingly comes out of nowhere, and avoiding a Star Wars trash room bit. In terms of humor, this episode works very well.

"Space Race" is an original situation for Archer. The spy series has gone many places and done many things. Eventually, they may run out of scenarios to put the characters in. But space is not one that they have done before, and it provides so many curiosities, such as zero gravity, that the series takes two full episodes to explore it. Other spy genre adventures have left the planet, so it's not completely coming out of nowhere, but Archer's take seemed fresh enough.

As the series has been doing from time to time for awhile now, "Space Race" sneaks in some emotional depth for the titular character. Just as everyone is about to go home, recurring thorn-in-the-side Barry (Dave Willis) shows up and begins taunting Archer into a fight. Now, normally Archer would give Barry just that, and in this case, it would put everyone's safety at risk. As Cheryl already does earlier in this story, opening the door for Drake so that she can be Queen of Mars. But instead of falling for the taunts, Archer sucks it up and acts mature. It's a pivotal moment for the character, and it shows a little bit of growth without sacrificing who Archer is. It is moments like these that really set this show above its peers.

Also, Pam has become the most transformative character on Archer. She started as a walking, crass fat joke, and was used mainly for gross effect. Now, she has become a strong, empowered woman, who can not only take care of herself, but is a good comrade to have in dangerous or questionable situations. She even comes off as sexy at times, almost completely erasing her original image. Pam is, in a word, awesome.

"Space Race" is a great capper to a terrific season. Though, it could have been done without the vomit jokes.

Archer has been renewed for a fourth season. It will return next year to FX.

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Click here to buy Blu-rays, DVDs, and streaming episodes of Archer. Please click here to read every Archer review I've ever written.

Archer The Complete Season Two arrives

     Now out on Blu-ray and DVD is Archer The Complete Season Two. In this second batch of episodes, thirteen in all, FX's Archer really finds its stride. The season opens with "Swiss Miss," in which Malory (Jessica Walter) attempts to find more money for ISIS. Unable to save the company, she sells it to ODIN in the next episode. Luckily, this new ownership doesn't last long. Other highlights include "Tragical History," where Archer (H. Jon Benjamin) tries to make Cyril (Chris Parnell) look like a hero, "Stage Two," in which Archer is diagnosed with cancer, and "El Secuestro," where Cheryl (Judy Greer) is outed as being rich. Finally, in the season finale, "Double Trouble," Archer decides to marry Katya (Ona Grauer), only to see her sacrifice herself to save him from old foe Barry (Dave Willis). 

     Archer takes on longer stories in the second season, rather than the one shots that populate season one, though some stand alone episodes remain. From Archer finding love, to Malory dealing with financial trouble, there is a serial aspect to the animated episode. In fact, Archer's grief over Katya carries into a special three-part miniseries that aired this past fall, prior to season three beginning later this month. It deepens the characters, and makes the fans care about them more. Sure, Archer is an animated comedy, and most of those don't need continuity. But perhaps that's why Archer stands apart as being so good; it isn't afraid to delve into emotion, albeit with a serious comedy bend.

     That's what Archer is: a truly unique series. Part James Bond-esque spy adventure, part zany workplace comedy. The characters are, across the board, well developed, and voiced by very talented actors. The stories are fresh and hilarious. It really makes this a must-see series, and kudos to FX for branching out into animation, and doing it so well.

     The special features are few, but rich in Archer The Complete Season Two, a big improvement over last year. "Archersaurus - Self Extinction" is a follow up to the "Original Unaired Pilot" from The Complete Season One. The Archersaurus, plagued by reviews of his pilot such as "It's just the first episode with a dinosaur," which admittedly, this reviewer jumped on that band wagon, is depressed, and falls into a life of depravity. Tortured and homeless, Archersaurus is taken in by Krieger (Lucky Yates), and comes to an unfortunate fate. It's a mockumentary that is every bit as funny as an Archer episode.

     This theme of doing what the show does best, and treating the series as reality, continues in the other featurettes. "Ask Archer" is five minutes Archer answering clever and creepy fan mail. "Semper Fi" is Archer's failed attempt to send a message to our troops. "L'Espion Mal Fait" finds Archer, after surgery, sporting a look very similar to that of voice actor Benjamin, much to the horror of all of Archer's friends and family. Each of these are very tongue in cheek, and contain the same vein of humor found in the episodes.

     Finally, "Isis Infiltrates Comic-Con" is made up of segments from Archer's panel at San Diego Comic-Con. It's amusing, but as it is a panel of live actors fielding audience and moderate questions, it's not as laugh-out-loud funny as the other bits, but it's still worth watching, and have some funny jokes.

     Archer The Complete Season Two is well worth the purchase. Please buy it today.

     If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter!

     Click here to buy Blu-rays, DVDs, and streaming episodes of Archer.

     Please click here to read every Archer review I've ever written.

Aqua Teen has new title, pretty much the same

     If anyone out there misses Aqua Teen Hunger Force and is wondering when the new season starts, do not be fooled. It began about a month ago, and continued last night, but under a new title. Now appearing on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim, Aqua Unit Patrol Squad 1 has a new moniker and theme song, but otherwise, is pretty much the same. In interviews, it was said that the new series would get back to the characters' roots, taking them out on detective mysteries, as they did in the pilot. That lasted for a few minutes, and then they quickly slipped back to the formula that has worked for them for the past ten years. In fact, there is a ten year time jump in the new first episode, but now that that story is past, there's not noticeable differences. Except that Dr. Weird (C. Martin Croker) is not supposed to appear again.

     Last night's episode, "Freedom Cobra," finds Master Shake (Dana Snyder) doing all her can to pick up girls in the park, including getting a vicious attack dog. When none of the ladies passing by pay his any attention, he insists to Meatwad (Dave Willis) that they are all lesbians. Yep, every single one of them. Then he sees a guy with a tattoo getting action, so he heads to the parlor and wants the best ink $3-$5 can buy. The artist gives him a Freedom Cobra wrapped around a sword. Shake is not tipped off by the fact that the thing must be installed during a lightning storm, and so is surprised when the Cobra comes to live and demands to eat people. Putting Shake in a trance state, the Cobra consumes first the dog, then neighbor Carl (Willis). As it eats, it keeps getting bigger and bigger. Frylock's (Carey Means) solution, a laser tattoo removal doctor, can do nothing.

     Aqua has a history of treading into gross territory, but it surprisingly avoids that in this episode until the very end. Could definitely have done without the laser doctor shooting blood all over Shake as he gestures and explains the plastic surgery that has been done after feeding Freedom Cobra his hands. As the blood spurts into Shake's unnoticing mouth, I admit to squirming a little.

     Most of the episode is very funny. From Shake trying to pick up girls in the rain, to wanting a tattoo that blatantly states a message, spelled out, in English, to his killing of a not-getting-it Carl, the story dances around sex and murder without actually showing them, thank goodness. Who knows how intercourse even works for a giant milk shake? Is anyone really curious to find out? Instead, the episode hints at a lot, and plays on Shake's insecurities, which have provided fodder for many an episode.

     Surely next week the Cobra will be gone, despite the episode ending with Shake still on a killing spree. And Carl will be back alive. Aqua doesn't need to come up with fancy dream sequences or anything. It has ventured into such game-changing plots before, simply to back off and pretend they never happen in the following installment. Perhaps one day the series will deal with that and explain it, perhaps in a series finale, but given the show has been on the air since 2000, and it's still delivering stories often as good as earlier seasons, that doesn't appear to be in the cards anytime soon.

     Aqua Unit Patrol Squad 1, formerly known as Aqua Teen Hunger Force, airs Sunday nights at 11:45 p.m. on Cartoon Network.

     If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Click here for all of my Current Season Reviews.

     To buy Aqua Teen Hunger Force DVDs, please click here.

Archer ends second season with matrimony

     FX's Archer completed its second season last night the titular character, super spy and ladies' man Sterling Archer (voiced by H. Jon Benjamin) looking to turn in his bachelor card for a wedding band. Last week, Archer was rescued from the KGB by the beautiful Katya. Malory (Jessica Walter) and Lana (Aisha Tyler) suspect Katya is a double agent, sent to steal Krieger's (Lucky Yates) secret project. Their theory is backed up when they hack the Russian network and find a file listing Katya as a double. But she has been in love with Archer for years, and convinces him of such, the file being a trick. Sterling and Katya decide to run off together, and Malory brings a team to try to stop them. A shootout ends with a wedding, but Archer's special day is interrupted when Barry (Dave Willis) arrives to take his revenge.

     Archer has always had a bit of a sweet side. Despite all the different women he beds, he has shown genuine affection before. He may not be able to stay faithful, but he would give it a shot. But perhaps Katya is different, as evidenced by Archer's quick proposal, something he doesn't usually end his affairs with. Would Archer have been able to live in matrimonial bliss, or would he have strayed before long?

     We will never know the answer to that because Katya sacrifices herself to stop Barry. As the now part cyborg foe attempts to strange Archer, Katya wrestles him off the roof where she dies on the street below. This negates any doubts anyone still may have that Katya's love for Archer is true. It also brings an end to an interesting story. It is regrettable that this avenue is not pursued for a few episodes. While long term it likely would not have worked, it would have added a fresh element for a few adventures. Sadly, that will not be happening, though, since the relationship flourished in a season finale, it couldn't really be expected to.

     Barry survives the fall because he is now bionic. Will next season pick up right where this one left off, with Barry heading back to the roof to kill Archer? One can hope so, because it's hard to believe Barry would give up so easily. True, Archer has a bit of protection on the balcony, surrounded by allies. But their guns were empty of ammunition. It's a pickle. It's also a bit of a cliffhanger because there is no way to know if that immediate threat will continue, or whether the characters will move on and Barry will return later.

     Archer airs on FX, and will return for a third season next year.

     If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! Click here for all of my Current Season Reviews.

Aqua Teens celebrate Christmas

     As part of Cartoon Network's Adult Swim, Aqua Teen Hunger Force has been around since 2000, airing six seasons in that time.  The sixth season ended in May, so I was a little surprised to see a Christmas special air this week.  The episode title was "A PE Christmas", although it wasn't readily obvious that PE stood for Public Enemy.  That's because as part of the plot, Master Shake (Dana Snyder) and Meatwad (Dave Willis), having stolen Flavor Flav's identity, decide to record a Christmas album.  Well, one twelve-second track that Master Shake plans to release and make millions off of for Christmas, even though it is already December 24th.  The sound technician humors them, barely, and readily agree that the new CD will be shipped out to stores immediately so he can get home.

     Fans of the show know that even though episodes are a mere eleven minutes or so, that main plot, taking up the middle chunk, will have little to do with the beginning or end of the episode.  Cartoon Network was initially scared to put on a show about good items (Carey Means's Frylock being the third member of the cast) doing random things, but the show has enjoyed a cult following and relative popularity, even earning a feature film.  Don't worry if you hadn't heard about the film, few did, but it existed, and was in actual movie theaters.

     This Christmas episode was every bit as good as Aqua Teen gets.  It began with the trio of 'heroes' in church, one plotting to rob the collection plate, another confused as to why Santa Claus was skinny and hanging on a cross with an appendectomy scar, and the third just shaking his head and getting them out of there as quickly as possible.  It ended with Shake breaking into a Better Buy store so that customers could get in to buy him album, and then randomly exploding in jail from eel diarrhea.  In short, it was wrong, gross, and hilarious.  If you stuck around past the end credits, pervy, sweatpants wearing neighbor Carl (also Willis) delivered a heartwarming rendition of "I'll Be Home For Christmas" concerning what exactly self-pleasure he would be doing.  Clearly, the show is not for everyone.  But for it's target audience, it succeeds.

     They also released a Christmas album this year, on sale now.