Review: Archer “Distraction Action”

Overview:

Worlds collide in the penultimate episode of Archer as The Agency team devise a complex plan to avoid apprehension that simultaneously functions as specialized subterfuge to win Lana’s custody trial. Lana’s stubbornness consistently threatens to blow everyone’s cover, but this intense act of teamwork may be exactly what these spies need to properly come together and figure out their collective futures.

Our Take:

Season 13 of Archer has been an excellent return to form and its penultimate episode fittingly combines the colossal fallout that The Agency crew have found themselves in following Fabian’s betrayal with the personal crisis of Lana’s custody hearing that’s slowly intensified all year. It seems borderline ludicrous for these characters to attempt to juggle both of these ideas at the same time, but “Distraction Action” is indebted to a wild sitcom zaniness that’s much more in line with the show’s earliest seasons. The episode’s cold open executes a number of tropey sitcom sound effects in a tongue-in-cheek fashion that’s a lot of fun and perfectly sets the tone for this silly installment. That being said, I wouldn’t have hated a version of “Distraction Action” that forces itself to stick with the canned laughter and other hokey sound effects and find further ways to poke fun at these classic conventions. However, the abandonment of this idea doesn’t equate to a lazy episode and “Distraction Action” satisfies as both a prelude to the big finale and an enjoyable evolution of Lana’s complicated relationship with A.J., her career, and herself.  

Some of the strongest Archer episodes are when everyone needs to rally together and “Distraction Action” is an installment that allows each character to fuel their own uniquely-engineered chaos that contributes to the greater good. The Agency’s own independence is fittingly juxtaposed against Lana’s personal pursuit to free her family. Everyone’s contributions are crucial to this plan, but Sterling once again stands out as he continues to demonstrate growth as he operates as a decent human being here. He gives a genuinely inspirational speech early on in the episode that the script tries to undercut with comedy, but its words are too powerful for it to devolve into a gag.

None of the action setpieces throughout this season of Archer have held back and “Distraction Action” is no exception, especially once rocket launchers get fired during its explosive conclusion. All of the season’s chase sequences have been visual delights and there’s even more to appreciate in the hovercraft/jet ski shenanigans that The Agency and FBI get into on International Waters. There’s also plenty of Pam on a motorcycle and Cheryl blowing stuff up, which is hardly a bad way to spend an episode. Advanced technology is put to impressive use, but there’s just as much glee to be found through the characters’ absurdist improvisational actions. One altercation is resolved with an innocuous shot glass in a way that’s clever, fun, and pure Archer.

“Distraction Action” continues this season’s trend of fulfilling character-driven episodes that effortlessly interweave international espionage with interpersonal drama. In this case, some of the developments are intentionally on the nose, but they all still deliver and actually manage to leave Lana on solid ground after a season of missteps and questionable characterization. It’s a strong installment that represents the best of the show’s many talents and it creates genuine excitement for the finale–something that hasn’t happened in Archer for some time. A lot of this has to do with the surprise return of a familiar face that should have many Archer fans excited for not just the conclusion of this season, but what may lie ahead in season 14 and beyond.

Oh, and pour one out for national treasure, Baby Lamont, the penguin with a heart of gold who started his awe-inspiring journey in Frisky Dingo, only to show up in Archer’s 12th season.  May you be booshing and/or kakowing, wherever you are.