Review: Archer ‘Filibuster’

Spoilers Below:

By this point in the season (you know, the end) I’ve beaten to death the concept of this season being quite different than the previous four. But one thing I’ve noticed that has changed, and somehow failed to mention thus far, is the structure of the individual episodes vs. the season as a whole. In previous years, almost every installment was independent of the others, with just some loose continuity in a generally linear timeline. Every new episode was a new mission, and although they were sometimes related to previous missions, they were rarely connected to the episodes that immediately preceded or followed. Season Five started off with a new profession (after ISIS was formally dissolved) and though the first half of the episodes worked toward the same goal (or tried to solve the same problems: no money, no jobs, a shit ton of cocaine) those six had unrelated storylines, at least as far as “missions” go.

However, the next six episodes (which includes last night’s) were part of the same little story arc, and I’ve come to realize that my approach to viewing (and reviewing) the episodes needs to change because of this. In the past, I expected each episode to have a solid story, funny dialogue, obscure references, and all the other things that define Archer as a show. But with these latest episodes, they’re presented almost as one big long episode, and thus each one need not be funny start to finish. Instead, I believe if every episode has at least one or two big jokes – or better yet: big scenes – it has done its job. You know, unless of course everything else about it blew.

Last night, the story joined our friends about three weeks after the previous episode took place, with Sterling having been imprisoned the entire time by order of the President – who happens to now be Cyril. The former ISIS comptroller proved to be a surprisingly good dictator leader, after he ousted the former President, Senior Calderon, and placed him in the cell next to Archer.

From there, it became clear that every character had his or her own completely different goal:

Cyril was content with ruling San Marcos, continuing Calderon’s war against the rebels, and marrying the former First Lady (a.k.a. Crazytits). Lana wanted to flee the country, but couldn’t because the rebels still controlled the airport. Cherlene still wanted fame, Pam still wanted coke, and Ray was just going along for the ride. Malory, as Lana pointed out in an excellent Star Wars reference, was just using Cyril as the “Vader to [her] Palpatine.” And separate from the group, Krieger was attempting to stop the clones of himself (or, as Pam called them: “Doppel-Kriegers”) from launching a nuclear missile.

In the end, Krieger defeated the clones, but not before they activated the timer on the missile. Cyril and Malory gave in to Lana’s suggestion that they fetch Sterling to figure out a solution to the impending doom situation, but after realizing he escaped with Calderon and Cherlene (who Cyril also locked up) to head to the airport and join the rebels, Lana decided to go after him. When she finally found him (sans El Presidente, who had recently became cat chow) the three ex-ISIS agents discovered that FBI Special Agent Holly (Gary Cole) and cocaine/arms dealer Slater (Christian Slater) were actually working together, and in reality, were both CIA agents.

Just then, Lana’s water broke.

In Case You Missed It:

1) I appreciated the “Rivers of Babylon” reference (“That’s not what the song is about!” …even though it kind of is.)

2) One of those funny coincidental things I like to make note of: Just before this episode aired, I caught up with last night’s Family Guy, which featured a travel montage to the tune of Johnny Cash’s cover of “I’ve Been Everywhere” – meaning I watched two different cartoons in the last hour that referenced The Man in Black in some way.

3) Cherlene, when asked where she got the cell key from: “Let’s just say I honestly don’t know.” Then how did she know she had it? How did she know? (“Then why did I have the bowl, Bart?”)

4) As much as Cherlene tried her best with yet another round of Archer penis jokes, I couldn’t; I’m just donged out. Give it a rest. (Never thought a situation would arise where I’d use those last two phrases.)

5) A perfect, short but sweet, three-person joke about how being a dictator was in Calderon’s blood:

Cherlene: “So like a family business.”

Archer: “…that manufactures oppression.”

Calderon: “…and cocaine.”

6) Props to Pam for making “inappropes” happen.

7) “George Bore-well” was my favorite pun of the episode. Almost as good as last week’s “Mike Du-cockless.”

8) Gotta tip my cap for the reference to the 1953 Western film “Shane”.

9) Do you think the show will ever revisit the idea that it wasn’t the real Krieger that survived the fall from atop the tower? It could have been either one, right? This is a plot opportunity ripe for jokes.

10) On the same topic as #9, I think it’s odd that this was actually the third time in the last week that I was confronted with the “which one is the real one?” problem. Last week’s Rick and Morty dealt with this issue, and it also came up on last Friday’s Tonight Show. I actually want to mention that conversation, because Jimmy Fallon made an excellent point, and hopefully because you’ll just keep reading. Fallon’s guest, Nicholas Cage, said he wish KISS never revealed their true faces, because he’d prefer to have the mystery of their identities still intact. Jimmy smartly replied that he’s glad he knows the folks behind the facepaint, because otherwise how else would he know that it’s been the same guys all these years (or in Ace Frehley and Peter Criss’ cases, not the same guys.) So wise, James.

Last week, I felt the scene on the stairs was the defining element of the episode, and in this week’s I think there were two: the rapid plot progression (skipping Cyril’s rise to power, several characters making a run for it, the CIA’s role coming full circle, and Lana spilling her baby goo) and, for the humor portion: the Star Wars/Bible dialogue.

It began with Malory not getting Lana’s reference, then thinking it was some sort of Jewish thing; followed by Pan and Cherlene believing they understood it (and recounting some sort of wacked-out sci-fi version of Biblical events: “Then he shuts off the tractor beam, releasing the Jews from captivity.”); Malory then made an unintentional duel Star Wars/Bible reference (“Now that sounds familiar; Gospel of Luke?”); and culminated with Ray – a former preacher – claiming his Christian sect didn’t “do the New Testament.”

In my humble opinion, it’s these kinds of jokes – something that starts out with a simple laugh and builds and builds from there – that define the show. And since one of the greatest strengths of the show is the cast of characters, the more that can get in on the gag, the better. This last scene was a perfect example.

However, there is a different aspect of this episode to address as well. Like I said two weeks ago regarding “Palace Intrigue: Part I,” this was also a set-up episode, or an episode that acted as a way to progress the plotline. I mean, come on, this episode was named “filibuster” which is traditionally just a delay tactic. The difference between this episode and “Part I” is that this one wasn’t just a bit of a cliffhanger, it’s the cliffhanger. I’m guessing that next week’s episode will also leave the fans in suspense, but most likely it will give some sort of hint as to what direction (probably something else new and totally unexpected) that the series will take. After last night, though, we’re simply left wondering how the immediate threats will be handled.

And when I say threats, these dangers are heavy compared to the usual bunch of minor speed bumps. I mean, a bomb is about to go off in the middle of who-knows-where, Krieger (or hopefully Krieger) just killed three guys that were exact clones of himself, Cyril is drunk on power in a country that is rapidly descending into chaos, and Lana has a human being inside of her attempting a hasty exit via her vagina.

So yes, this episode of Archer didn’t have the most jokes, or as many insta-classic scenes, or even the story to make it an outstanding episode. But, as a filibuster episode it did exactly what its job was: setting up, as well as getting fans excited for, next week’s finale.

It’s Archer time.