Blu-Ray Review: Archer Season 4

 

What’s this? Gonzo Green doing a review of Archer? If any of you read my article in the ALL NEW BUBBLEBLABBER THE MAGAZINE ISSUE #1, you’ll know that just a couple months ago at NY Comic Con I made a half-drunk, half-cocked* & clueless attempt at interviewing the entire cast of Archer, which I was under-prepared for due to circumstances out of my control…and a few in my control.

Well, my ol’ pal Netflix instant provided me the first three seasons of the show, and the good folks at FX hooked me up with the fourth on Blu-Ray (Special shout-out to Santa for brining the Green household a PlayStation this year) which I shall now review. As much as I’m tempted to do a whole intricate analysis of each and every episode (since it’s the first time I viewed this season and didn’t get to previously review the episodes individually) I’ll try to keep my comments light. Although, the overall quality of the season should be a factor for you, the reader, if you’re contemplating throwing down hard earned simoleons on these couple of shiny, plastic discs. So lets get to it.

Any fan of current cartoons in general should agree that Season Four of Archer started off with a bang, considering it had a hilarious Bob’s Burgers crossover in the premier episode, “Fugue and Riffs.”

The next two were alright in my mind, but the season hit its stride in the fourth episode, “Midnight Ron,” which provided a glimpse into the decidedly-un-boring past of Mr. Ron Cadillac. An intricate background and present storyline added a nice balance to the equally strong humor in this one.

The next few episodes featured the reappearance of Barry & Katya, a series of venom-induced Archer hallucinations, and a brilliant guest appearance by Anthony Bourdain.

Episode 8, “Coyote Lovely,” was another example of a complex storyline that was quite engrossing, and the lead-ups to the two-part finale were either amusing, funny, or some combination of the two. “Sea Tunt: Parts I and II” had guest voices provided by Jon Benjamin’s fellow Bob’s Burgers co-stars Kristen Schaal and Eugene Mirman, adding some unique chemistry in the episode. The latter also had references to both Sealab 2020 and Sealab 2021, with the character, “Murphy,” voiced by Jon Hamm.

Like its beginning, Season 4 also ended with a bang – with the announcement of Lana’s pregnancy (or without a bang, considering the father is revealed to actually be a donor.)

In my honest opinion, this is the strongest season of Archer thus far, as the plots kept getting more intense & interesting, and the jokes were sharper than ever. There were great repeat/returning gags too, like Archer’s ever-changing elaborate outgoing voicemail messages (and his comment that, “I’m doing this new thing where I just let it ring. It drives people crazy.”)

The special features included two options: 1) a bit called “Fisherman’s Daughter,” which featured Krieger and his hologram girlfriend in an anime sequence, with a Thriller vibe and tentacles that looked suspiciously like penises – along with some other phallic imagery. The rest of the gang also had brief appearances. And 2) clips from “Archer Live,” an episode reading and shenanigans by the cast on stage at Irving Plaza in New York City.

If you’re a die-hard fan of the show, you’ll probably appreciate any little extras, and will thus be pleased with the bonus features. Other than that, they’re nothing to telegraph home about. However, if you’re a committed fan, a passive fan, or maybe even just a fan or cartoons, or comedy TV, or simply laughing – you’ll be satisfied (and then some) by the episodes alone. This is non-stop, fast-paced, clever hilarity. Grab a copy, fix a drink, break out the sniffin’ glue, and prepare to be entertained.

 

Buy It!

 

*This is both a true statement, and a reference to a line in Season 3, Episode 7 – “Drift Problem.” Consider me a fan. Oh, and look for my review of the Season Five premiere!