There are probably folks who are upset that Archer is throwing out its James Bond parody days in favor of some more experimental fare, but I don't think those people understand what this shake-up can mean for the show. Like I said at the top of the article, people are really talking about Archer for the first time in forever, and the fifth season premiere was filled with more life and energy than we've seen from the show since Bryan Cranston wanted to take Lana to Mars. The appeal of Archer was never really the spy capers themselves. The key to Archer's success was always simple: Put everyone in one place, give them a goal, and let the insults fly until we end with Archer miraculously not getting everyone else killed. That can be done just as well while they're dealing drugs as it ever could when they were spies. Trains, rockets, rigid airships... They are all still open to us. Mallory can still flirt with anyone over 30. Cheryl can still find people that will strangle her. Cyrill can keep... being alive. Archer is still the same, and yet totally different. It's the same old thing in a totally different way. And it's that sort of paradox that has moved Archer right back to the top of TV's must-watch list.
Kevin Lanigan is a fun-loving Sagittarius who enjoys long walks on the beach and sunsets. While running a popular blog called Chekhov's Gunman, Kevin hopes to one day write the best movies and television you can complain about on the Internet. One of those movies, entitled IT DIDN'T TAKE, just opened up on Indiegogo and would appreciate all donations. Rosebud is a sled.
