Review: Archer “Laws of Attraction”

Overview:

Fabian orders The Agency to take down history’s most malicious of threats–the Swiss–after they acquire Ray’s high-tech experiment, which may or may not be a bomb. The Swiss’ infamous organization, The Invisible Hand, takes on The Agency during an unfortunate period of flux for the spy sect. Global warfare hangs over everyone’s heads as a courageous figure steps forward to help accomplish the tall task at hand.

Oh, and Cheryl’s the new explosives expert. It’s a mess.

Our Take: 

In many ways it feels like Archer’s 13th season has just begun, but “Laws of Attraction” already marks the eight-episode journey’s half-way point. This means that it’s only natural for the series to check in with everyone, and the larger themes of this season, are currently at. “Laws of Attraction” proves that these characters and the latest iteration of The Agency have legitimately grown since the season premiere, but more than anything else this mid-way check-in speaks towards how much further Sterling, Cyril, Lana, and the rest of the cast need to go in order to make Malory proud and do her legacy justice.

“Do you ever feel like certain members of this group get ignored?” is a question that’s posed in the middle of the episode’s mission, but it’s a concern that’s loomed over the entire season so far. Much like in the events of “Saturday,” there’s a crucial task with apocalyptic consequences that’s at the center of “Laws of Attraction,” but more than anything this episode is a way for the members of The Agency to reconcile with the countless changes that continue to interrupt their work. 

“Laws of Attraction” effectively embraces continuity when Ray’s snakebite affliction from “Operation: Fang” keeps him benched for another week. This is a significant revelation in the sense that it allows Archer to utilize a roving series of bosses throughout the season. In “Laws of Attraction,” it’s Cyril who fills in for Ray, which is a promotion that’s directly under fire by the rest of The Agency team. It’s appreciated that Cyril’s appointment to interim leader gets directly addressed and questioned, which is what Archer should be doing. Cyril needs to prove himself rather than blindly get accepted in this elevated status. Furthermore, “Laws of Attraction” turns into a lesson where Cyril learns how to shirk responsibility and not feel shame in letting others run the show rather than an exercise in how to excel as a leader.

Cyril’s limitations turn into another opportunity where Pam effortlessly rises to the occasion as the interim boss and naturally impresses everyone in the process. It’s fascinating how this power vacuum leads to ambivalence from Lana as she continues to retreat and avoid responsibility, whereas Pam is pushed to work harder and go the extra mile to prove herself within the group. Pam’s connection with Alessia of The Invisible Hand, the “Valkyrie,” is also delightful. There’s hopefully more of them in the coming episodes and a genuine relationship that forms between the two of them would be a nice surprise this year.

“Laws of Attraction” is rich in human drama, but it’s also an episode that doesn’t disappoint when it comes to actual action. The explosion that occurs at sea is legitimately beautiful and brilliant, even without the complication of sharks that eventually comes into play. After an exceptional sky-diving sequence in the season premiere, Archer gets to flaunt its skills and pull off an even more exciting version of this stunt. All of these gorgeous feats are ultimately topped by the episode’s magnetic finale that’s one the coolest setpieces that Archer has ever done, especially once colossal items like helicopters get pulled into the magnet’s orbit.

The magnetic spectacle that concludes “Laws of Attraction” is visually stunning and even makes Archer temporarily feel like it’s returned to its sci-fi Archer: 1999 days, but it also features a visceral act of exaggerated violence as a brutal punchline. It’s the type of surreal dark comedy that’s been absent in Archer for several years. On a related note, Fabian spends most of the episode saddled with Krieger, which turns out to be surprisingly entertaining. These are two individuals who are uniquely brilliant and troubled. It feels like Fabian’s skin crawls for every second that he’s alone with Krieger, but he also can’t help but respect and admire his scientific accomplishments. Much like with Pam and Alessia, this is hopefully another relationship that Archer will continue to foster before the season’s end.

“Laws of Attraction” continues a solid run of episodes from this season that successfully builds upon its successors’ momentum. It’s not the best of the lot, but it’s another installment that feels natural in its execution and moves at a ferocious pacing that never gives the audience the opportunity to get tired. It’s a satisfying blend of crass comedy, explosive action, and cathartic character development that’s exactly what one wants from an episode of Archer.