Archer: What Went Wrong?

How the recent seasons of Archer went "wrong"
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Archer is one of our favorite tv shows of all time. Full stop. But something undoubtedly happened to the series, specifically when Archer went into a coma. And we think that something is not good. We'll investigate why in this Wisecrack Edition on Archer: What Went Wrong?
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=== Watch More Episodes! ===
Archer: How TV Ruins You ► wscrk.com/38ZBRVp
The Philosophy of Archer ► wscrk.com/3i12bzx
Why Hoplessness is Hilarious (ft. Archer & Rick and Morty) ► wscrk.com/2HvrzRl
Written by: Ross McIndoe
Hosted by: Michael Burns
Directed by: Michael Luxemburg
Editing by: Mark Potts
Produced by: Evan Yee
#archer #whatwentwrong #fx
© 2020 Wisecrack / Omnia Media, Inc.

[@Gzilla313]

I never came to Archer for deep meaning or character growth, I came to Archer to watch dysfunctional coworkers bicker with each other. The high point of the series was a full episode with the team stuck in an elevator.

[@Jason_Quinn]

For me it was the season opener that summarized the entire upcoming season. Ironically, that was the last episode I watched.

[@jonash3406]

@@Jason_Quinn missed a lot of god episodes then

[@nanivogel4453]

Hahah that’s my favorite episode Vision Quest

[@ahmetbal5973]

I just got to that episode today lol. I started this show because I was bored and from time to time I used to watch it on Comedy Central on TV. In just 1 week I reached Season 6.

[@nanivogel4453]

@@ahmetbal5973 nice that's my favorite season

[@loganhaynes5650]

Missed the part where they had to ditch the name ISIS for the spy agency because literal ISIS became a reality when they switched to Vice.

[@joseph-fernando-piano]

Haha if you look at the Netflix blurbs on each episode, they've switched out "ISIS" for "the agency"... the dialogue is still kinda awkward in some places when they mention "ISIS", saying "trying to thwart a terrorist attack"...

[@davidrichey5319]

I didn't start watching Archer until after isis was a thing, so I actually thought that it was an intentional joke

[@biglordebunnyrabbit627]

So you’re telling me, this major fact is neglected? What the shit?

[@GOLANX]

I choose to believe someone in the US government pissed Malory off like putting sanctions on her favorite vodka brand and she started an international terrorist organization to get back at them. Its just so classic her.

[@davidanalyst671]

just one joke of many

[@crystalmeth1789]

The only wrong thing with Archer is not enough episodes for every day of my life untill i die

[@lancebiggerstaff2660]

And not nearly enough rides on the Pammy Wagon.

[@lovesjokes76]

Right?

[@tonyanthony5105]

Pam-page!!!!

[@TrippyVision220]

Felt that.

[@JoshLange3D]

I would like this comment but it's already at 666. First time that's happened.

[@blackout995]

Archer S1-4 is still among the best adult comedies there are. Outstanding writing.

[@bye3568]

Season 5>

[@lifeisberserk9566]

Season 12 was great also

[@jruler93]

Even the worst of Archer is still better than what most other long-running adult animated sitcoms have been able to put out after being on air for over a decade.

[@randomperson9460]

What tops it?

[@Entertain-wc5vr]

s5 & s6 were still awesome

[@BernardJMorgan]

Any “bad” or “boring” Archer is still leagues funnier than most comedies

[@Leo-yn5fx]

Yeah you can't say that shit for 99 percent of shows.

[@bjones8470]

Ben Morgan I love every episode and want it to never end. Also we have the same last name.

[@andrewmiles1771]

I was just thinking, when exactly did it go wrong? I seem to have missed the memo, the coma seasons are some of my favorites, I found that whole dynamic to be quite innovative and unexplored

[@bernardi5919]

@@andrewmiles1771 Nothing wrong with having your own opinion

[@missdrey954]

say it again

[@MattTangoWhisky]

Yeah still one of my favorite shows, the wrongest thing it did was cut seasons to 8 episodes

[@rrkaminski9]

Agreed! I disagree with the very premise of this video as this season was still great

[@scottymacdewder5229]

Agreed.

[@SlightlySouthrn]

Oui

[@jtheproducer5170]

DITTO

[@pivotresearchfoundation]

*Wrongerest

[@heavymetal19610]

Another talent has passed, Mallory Archer, you will be missed!

[@Ms.Twinkle.]

Omg are you serious?

[@MC-wb5wf]

Jessica Walter was such a gem, I imagine Mallory is getting drunk with Woodhouse right about now as both voice actors have sadly passed.

[@heavymetal19610]

@@MC-wb5wf absolutely agree...I believe they're toasting each other over eggs Woodhouse....

[@ObsidianLife]

Hurt my fucking soul...

[@KennyNGA]

@@heavymetal19610 wtf in Germany the voice Actress changed in season 9

[@Anonymous_Anonyme]

Rest In Peace Ron Lebibman Who Plays Ron Cadillac, George Coe Who Plays Woodhouse And Jessica Walker Who Plays Marlory Archer They All Had Excellent Careers I Love Them All

[@Puppy_Puppington]

Don’t forget norm macdonald :(

[@shannonlawhorn1674]

Such a poignant moment when they had Mallory join Ron on the white sand beach in paradise. It was like Jessica Walters and Ron Liebman, who were married IRL, had found their place in the sun. Brought tears to my eyes.

[@notgarybrown]

I'll fetch a rug.

[@vaibhavjain5227]

You’re not my KZbin supervisor !!!

[@AxxLAfriku]

One thing! Just one thing! Please tell IT to me: WHY tf do I have so many fans even though no KZbinr is unprettier than I am? WORLDWIDE!!!! WHY??? Tell me, dear v

[@davidanalyst671]

at this rate of rona spread, the government will shut us all down again and KZbin supervisor will become an actual job

[@Vesperitis]

Wait, who is your KZbin supervisor?

[@suckitt88]

OH SHUT THE FUCK UP YOU AINT SHIT.

[@tacomn]

Yeah who the fuck is this guy?

[@Robin0928]

I think that the coma seasons proved one thing: That the cast and characters of Archer work so well that it really doesn't matter what kinda scenario you put them in, they are still funny. The dynamics work so well that they can genuinely just change genres on a dime and not really miss a beat.

[@lynettra7818]

THIS! this is the point i think was really being made in the coma seasons. at least that is what i got out of it. these hilarious brilliant characters are interchangeable to genre. i enjoyed it.

[@miawallace6282]

Agreed. I really enjoyed Pam throughout the coma series

[@Jarod-vg9wq]

Could not have said it better myself.

[@glennhalila8279]

That was perfectly noticed, phrased and a Tribute to your awareness.

[@thomask6798]

I think the repertoire was less than previous seasons. Learning of the loss of 2 voice actors. Actually, proves a reality. These actors are a family. Which is why I feel a sense of disconnect. These new actors have to find their place & the veterans need to as well. I hope they recover & increase episodes in future seasons.

[@Heskenclark]

I am so nostalgic for the first 5 seasons. I miss the casual pacing and balance of humor and plot where it was never boring or underwhelming

[@j.vonhogen9650]

Are you sure you didn't mean the first 6 seasons? The 6th season was one of the best seasons imho.

[@j.vonhogen9650]

@Ryan Purdum - I liked the Archer Vice season too, but it's a pitty that they decided to cancel a few of the episodes that they wanted to make initially. The ideas they had for additional scenes were great, judging from that little teaser trailer at the start, when Archer imagines what it would be like to be in the drugs trade.

[@j.vonhogen9650]

@Ryan Purdum - Yeah, I think I can agree with that. Adam Reed is such a great writer.

[@mikebond9612]

As much as I love the first 5 seasons (season 6 is ok) I haven't even bothered watching the rest. Kinda like Arrested Development after season 3, Community after season 3, Simpsons after season 9... Im sure there is more that I can't think of right now lol

[@j.vonhogen9650]

@@mikebond9612 - Apart from the excellent seasons 1-6, I really liked season 10. I thought season 11 was a huge disappointment, and I'm therefore quite worried about the quality of the upcoming season 12, which will probably be the final season. I really hope Adam Reed will write all episodes. He really can't be replaced by any other writer, so if he is actively involved in the writing of season 12, that would certainly be a huge relief!

[@hierophantZ]

I'd watch 100 seasons of Archer and enjoy every second. The writing is so good. To me, it never get's old.

[@austinistooanxious]

Agreed.

[@10RexTheWolf01]

I just started watching it and I already love all the characters

[@CommanderShepard-wq3wo]

Idk, dude. To me, it’s quality and jokes really dropped off after season 10. 1-10 though, are top notch

[@10INTM]

I was unaware Archer "went wrong".

[@paoloplasenzotti7861]

Yeah, I actually like the brutal simplicity.

[@lukehannah9556]

It didnt, they went wrong

[@ventarfield7115]

He needs to sell magic spoon grain less cereal that is "delicious"

[@SomeLad12]

Imo it got boring when the dreamworld seasons started. I was kind of invested in Archer and Lana’s relationship, when they had a baby it was just getting interesting and the he went into the coma. I also kind of missed the old ISIS missions.

[@notallowed337]

@@SomeLad12 wasn't as good but still really good

[@falcore91]

One of my favorite Archer moments was when they decided to send out one of their recurring jokes in the best possible manners, by literally shooting it in the head. So long Brett. You are still missed.

[@Fangs1978]

At least the joke died doing what it loved... Getting shot.

[@BeeBumper]

Who's Beakers Boss!?

[@IsiahTomas]

@@BeeBumper What??

[@BeeBumper]

@@IsiahTomas DO you watch Archer, if you do then you'd know. It pertains to Brett and his death specifically

[@IsiahTomas]

@@BeeBumper I thought that was the next line while Brett, Cheryl and Archer were arguing during the shootout.

[@andrewacton5885]

I've always wanted to see a flashback episode where Mallory is archers age

[@saarah0006]

Or a prequel series where we get to see her be a field agent and do crazy missions.

[@jayvang7490]

It has to happen eventually, especially with the passing of Jessica Walther it could be a tribute episode to her.

[@andrewacton5885]

Ya I only just found out about her passing when they announced the season 12 release date. Very sad, this is definitely going to be the last season of archer :( wont get this fantasy episode

[@Anonymous_Anonyme]

​@@andrewacton5885 Rest In Peace Ron Lebibman Who Plays Ron Cadillac, George Coe Who Plays Woodhouse And Jessica Walker Who Plays Marlory Archer They All Had Excellent Careers I Love Them All

[@andrewacton5885]

@@Anonymous_Anonyme unfortunately i dont see how a season 13 can happen without jessica walter. Im sad that this may be the end. 12 years is a damn good run tho

[@mandellmuch3191]

I like to think the coma seasons each offered insight into Archer's relationships. Dreamland was about Archer's relationship with Woodhouse and how he could never live that way in his real life. Danger Island focused more on Archer's friendship with Pam and how it might be the best and only friendship he has. He learns to appreciate that. Lastly 1999 centered on Archer and his love for Lana, this can be seen later in the post coma season as archer fails to win her back. I find it sad ,because Archer actually learned lessons during his coma dreams but was not emotionally capable of acting on them when he wakes up. I could be wrong and just rambling but my two cents.

[@markeastlack4180]

Interesting point

[@cadentessmann7338]

I wish they would have fleshed out these relationships in the last season but they didn't do anything bad writing if you ask me

[@RSRye]

I personally enjoyed every season except Danger Island, and even that was alright. (but I will take any new Archer content I can get)

[@thelinedrive]

Danger Island is honestly the only dream season I really enjoyed. Noir had character dynamics off and the space season was too much of a retread.

[@TheCyberSatyr]

So did my wife and i, we liked all the seasons. Even danger island. Theyre all good. Love the characters

[@argentpuck]

I'm with you, but the problem I had with Danger Island was just that it fell off a cliff in terms of action movie pastiche at the end. It wasn't inappropriate, but it stretched my disbelief just enough to sour the otherwise good start.

[@TheCyberSatyr]

@@argentpuck i liked the ending lol. I have no reasons of defending my point other than the constant "the hobbit" references and the radioactive skull. Which gave me some metaphysical shit to ponder over, real or not, about the existence of "magic" artifacts that turn out to be a radioactive powerhouses. Lol. Mystical as fuck... imo

[@isiahalcindor6278]

@@argentpuck not really when you can very quickly infer that it's a fuckin coma dream

[@ctimerun3693]

I did really enjoy the coma seasons, but I can't deny that season 11 felt like a breath of fresh air.

[@MrSeal-oy3fu]

Netflix doesnt have season 11, at least not in my country :( I cry every day, hoping that one day, i will see it. And yeah i agree, the coma seasons were fun, i didnt really like 10 as much but it was good non the less

[@GustavoGonzalez-qj4bq]

@@MrSeal-oy3fu yo

[@treetrunkstv]

it really does season 11 is more archer than any of the more recent season

[@JussKanye]

@orange facts and I was disappointed after it didn’t happen

[@screaminlordbyron7767]

Has anyone noticed adam reed is no longer writing? Staff writers are doing their best but he was archer. The one liners.. the banter.. all just ho hum now. RIP archer

[@K4F0]

Archer never dies , even "bad seasons " were gold

[@pummanjones1218]

The new ones are bad just bad

[@markeastlack4180]

Exactly. Archer is awesome start to finish. My favorite comedy series in history

[@markeastlack4180]

​@@pummanjones1218nah. I miss Mallory for sure but the show still works beautifully. I love how Archer and Lana are completely terrible parents without being outright abusive and somehow Abbajean is somehow a perfect blend of boths positive traits without having either of Archer or Lanas particular brand of crazy

[@markeastlack4180]

I mean that the show was able to shift setting and remain awesome. Most people can't handle anything that's different. Once something becomes popular it has to stay stupid or people lose their minds.

[@pummanjones1218]

@@markeastlack4180 ok go watch any season below ten then watch any of the new ones all the problems they face are rushed the characters are more cringe and the new writers add back story to characters we don’t it for

[@charliethealmighty2074]

I love how he kept asking "Am I still in a coma"! I seriously thought they was going to pull that card after they defused the nuclear bomb....

[@sifutophmasterofeyerolling2513]

It was confirmed that Archer's awake once we saw an older version of AJ

[@Elfos64]

The Coma seasons _did_ say something about Archer's psyche. Despite how harsh he was with Woodhouse, he did value him and did mourn his loss. And not only is he always drawn to "Lana", but he always sees "Cyril" as someone who needs to be antagonized, not just because he's an easy target but because he's s bad guy who _deserves_ to be stopped like a threat (but not one Archer has any trouble dealing with). The jokes with the characters have indeed become Flanderized, but the show made a metacommentary on that- they're all their worst selves around Archer, but is that because Archer's awfulness is just infectious or is it because Archer is a convenient excuse to _be_ their worst selves? Not just the characters, the plots of the show itself. It started off being a relatively grounded office comedy about horrendously unprofessional spy agency- or at least a spy agency whose top operative was horrendously unprofessional who got the others into hijinx. But then it became progressively more outlandish with its plots, dipping into sci-fi territory with cyborgs and clones and all the other characters became horrendously unprofessional even independently of Archer's coaxing. But the show is smart, it talks about random fun facts that only intellectuals and academics would know or care about, it makes jokes about things like taxes and what constitutes irony, and it has some moments of genuine emotional introspection. And it sometimes challenges its audience with interpretation prompts. Interpretation prompts such as that thing about Archer either being the catalyst or convenient excuse for everyone being their worst selves, or whether Archer is Autistic given his encyclopedic knowledge of certain things and savant bullet-counting ability. Is Archer a Bully to people like Cyril or is he like the colossal dick brother (Cyril does continue working there and express how much he likes working there, and seemed flattered that Archer might consider him his "best friend", as warped as Archer's standard for that is). Does Lana actually love Archer? Is someone like Archer capable of being in love and having a stable long-term relationship? Is Pam Archer's best friend (given how much he seems to confide in her)? All of these are questions the show raised, none of them have clear-cut unambiguous answers.

[@mahmud7645]

mucho

[@Ninjakitty-sr7se]

I agree!

[@takima504]

Super underrated comment. This comment is better then the video

[@erichiggins3092]

Along with these points I believe that the coma seasons also point out how archer sees his coworkers and the different layers he sees. Like how he sees Pam as his best friend in ‘Danger Island’ but then sees her as a disgusting monster in ‘1999’.

[@sundaywakeup]

This is a great comment

[@Shinntoku]

Archer's last season was so difficult for me to watch. Last year my dad passed away, and we didn't share a ton of taste in media, but Archer was the one animated show that we both absolutely loved, and we had watched it together more than once. It was hard watching it without him.

[@django7762]

Stay strong amigo🙏

[@mactin7214]

Condolences man 😔. May he be in a better place.

[@flipjonah2348]

I'm so sorry for your loss. Keep strong bro

[@ninonatwood914]

My deepest condolences on your loss. I hope in the future Archer will bring comfort to you instead of sadness.

[@datguitarplayer1656]

My humble advice- share it now with someone else. And when you do, tell stories of you and father watching it. Remember what he said about old episodes, imagine what he'd say about new ones. It sounds counterintuitive, I know. But keeping that memory alive while growing it, evolving it, adding to it with new memories, can be a way to remember while being a way to not be controlled by the memories. Keep your chin up.

[@sycho-tech5104]

I thought the coma seasons wear fairly clever, serving as a strange medium for archers subconsciousness to interpret the goings on around his comatose body. With ‘Dreamland’ being his attempt to understand and cope with Woodhouse’s death, ‘Danger island’ representing Cyril’s growing confidence and capabilities, and ‘1999’ being Lana’s engagement and his refusal to believe she would abandon him. (I may need to rewatch the series, but I remember thinking something like that)

[@Chineseisntalanguageapparently]

1999? I remember it being in the future, so wouldn’t it be 2999? Or something cuz I don’t even remember there was a year

[@adestimare5985]

​​@@Chineseisntalanguageapparently Yup, the canonical name of the season is "1999". It's "retro-futurism", so basically what people in the fifties and sixties imagined 1999 will look like (turns out they were very wrong lol), that is the vibe they are going for. Think of works like "2001: A space odyssey" from 1968, that's the time period and style they're referencing and pulling from.

[@Chineseisntalanguageapparently]

@@adestimare5985 yea I get it dude it’s like fallout

[@nikospurr307]

Archer is easy top ten adult "cartoons" of all time. It's difficult for any show, animated or not, to keep pumping out top quality for so many years. I hope it goes on for many more years, I'm happy to watch. It's running gags are unmatched and surprisingly intelligently written. One of my favourite shows.

[@TheGsmith97]

The new season has been the best in a while for a lot of the reasons mentioned at the end of the video. One of my favorite parts they did later on, was shifting the blame for everyone lives being worse when Archer is involved from him to everyone else too. Archer seems to make their lives worse, but in many ways he’s just showing the cracks that were already there. Lana isn’t 100% happy in her marriage and with her decisions as a mother, Cheryl is bored and just going through motions at work, Cyril is buff but still is deeply insecure, etc. Archer isn’t free of guilt, but they really do point out that just as often others use him as excuse for things going wrong that they have more control over than they’d like to believe.

[@PetterGAM]

I gave up on the show after the first coma season. Will the last season make sense if I skip the two other coma seasons?

[@JarrekAsF]

@@PetterGAM yea pretty much

[@ctimerun3693]

Archer is cosmetically a protagonist hero-type, but he really does function better as a foil...

[@britniemichel2585]

Is it good. I stopped watching because I’m so biased for Archer so I really didn’t like how they tried to make see he was the issue. Well I love Pam more than Archer

[@user-zg7rl1ot7m]

@Laverne Blaszczyk I would've been much more forgiving of the coma seasons, if they were actually ways for him to cope with inner psychological issues, but only season 8 did that.

[@q_w_4log949]

I think the coma seasons were actually saying a lot about Archer’s thought process. All the characters were Flanderized because that’s how archer saw them. He sees others as 1 dimensional so that’s what they became more than ever in his head.

[@stitchingbear4003]

I agree, it was a well written set of "dreams" that showed more of Archers views about the people he cared about the most.

[@PutYourQuarterUpGaming]

As Lana would say; Yuuuuuuuuuup

[@glebbokhan9777]

Can't argue with that. Still, the coma seasons probably should have been 1 season because they diverged too far for too long

[@Jo-sx8yi]

Tbh the fact that trinette and trexler appeared in his coma dream but not Abbijean or Seamus made me kinda sad for that exact reason Edit: didnt watch season 10 around the time i originally wrote this

[@SicketMog]

Are they done with those? I lost a bit of interest when they went "independent" and then fully lost interest when the coma-seasons just went on and on... They back to a main story?

[@beardedbarnstormer9577]

Honestly. The latest season had me belly laughing like the first three. They really returned to form

[@TheONE-kq3mm]

The one thing that Archer will never be is boring. The dialogue and interaction between the characters is the absolute best part of the show.

[@quinnconnelly7245]

I wasn't a huge fan of the coma seasons, but honestly the season that just ended was quite a return to form. I really enjoyed it, and it felt like it was back to what it once was.

[@himayamata]

Agreed. I skipped all of those.

[@frankwagner3659]

What was with that ending this season? Seemed like there should have been more to it. It just sort of stopped, without any allusions to where things are going. Also, is it just me, or has the show not been funny for a long time? I don't remember the last time I laughed at archer, or experienced anything like amusement. Maybe the Jeep falling out of the tree scene in season 5.

[@frankwagner3659]

@@eabradley1108 Don't be fooled, the writing is as stale as a communion wafer in a synagogue. Sad but true. Hope they do end up fixing this show and make it funny again. Don't hold your breath.

[@Cognitive_Fun]

Yeah, I thought Dreamland was cool, but it’s hard to connect with a character and have the character-driven jokes land when we have to get to know them every season.

[@frankwagner3659]

@@sedgful In that it sucks slightly less than some of the previous seasons, yes. Still not great, and in need of some serious retooling. For instance, they could try being funny again. That would help. And not just re-hashing old stuff. Getting creative, with good and original writing that is actually entertaining. That's why people started watching in the first place, and that is also why viewership has plummeted over the newer seasons.

[@thegreenmage6956]

I remain only and eternally irate that we missed out on the chance to see a FANTASY setting for archer.

[@fredburns6846]

So so true

[@fredburns6846]

He would probably fuck a princess and then try to burn lana as a witch

[@darkmyro]

wow, I didn't think of that, but that would have been awesome XD

[@pang404]

You might get your chance, I have a feeling he's still in a coma

[@fredburns6846]

@@pang404 if they do that, then they can never get him out of the coma because it would be super repetetive and no one would believe them again. So i dont think they would go down that road just to do more seasons in a different genre.

[@justaguy5923]

Pam was my favorite character by far. She had the most interesting growth as a character, and her developing friendship with archer is my favorite aspect of the whole series. The coma seasons ultimately ended up being too much for me to handle, because once I saw they turned Pam into a rock, I was just never able to motivate myself to watch again.

[@coleposton2430]

Legit her character design that season made me stop watching

[@ajfkexperience1040]

I watched whole series start to finish and I just skipped the space and island coma. Rest of the series is hilarious

[@justaguy5923]

@@ajfkexperience1040 I guess I should just skip the space season and watch season 11 then lol.

[@ajfkexperience1040]

@@justaguy5923 and the island one

[@Drake00000010]

@@justaguy5923 island one is godd

[@coolerheadsprevail9312]

The dream sequences were so fun and ,for me, their function was to show where everyone ranked in terms of Archer. Pam is his best relationship!

[@kydjester]

39$ for cereal... what is happening to this world.

[@Josep_Hernandez_Lujan]

And gluten free aka flavour free

[@DerPolygonianer]

Just look at the stuff that is supposed to be good about it. How is that even cereals anymore? But american Cereals always felt weird to me anyways since in Germany "Müsli" is an almost completely different concept. Just fruits and crushed grain. No sugar (except the one in the fruits) no additives no anything. Probably because it's a 100 years old and developed by a swiss nutritionist. I don't even know if they had additives at that time.

[@Crizzoify]

What's it made of?

[@Shivcel172]

it's gluten free, grain free, sugar free, and low carb. Then wtf is it made of, fucking cardboard??

[@l-b01josefandres44]

that's why it's expensive cause its pretentious shit

[@inbasicterms-popculturevid1704]

LaNAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

[@mackielunkey2205]

wHaT?!

[@tandontanjana228]

@@mackielunkey2205 Danger Zoooone!?

[@RoseEyed]

I read that in his voice and it was beautiful

[@steaminbimmin2594]

The coma seasons were hard to get through but I had to push through. I love what they did after the coma though, it was definitely worth pushing through those coma seasons.

[@pummanjones1218]

The coma seasons where amazing it was after the coma it went down

[@hammerfist3171]

Personally I enjoyed most of the coma episodes, and season 11 was extremely fresh. Archer has always been my favorite show, but season 11 made me excited to see what happens next.

[@meumundosecreto7694]

I think that s11 and 12 doesn't hold up to the first six. I just have hard time remembering the plot. They rehashed the environment terrorist stuff when they could do a Cyril family's episode or focus on Cheryl (who is so absent).

[@tommihorttana860]

I quickly realized I should just treat the coma seasons as self-contained stories, and do my best to ignore the framing device. It worked well and I enjoyed them greatly.

[@bleedingrevenge12]

Theory: The coma seasons were an allegory for the way Archer himself copes with the world. The characters being reduced to their essence and ported from setting to setting while maintaining Archer's centrality is a desperate, simplified, fever-dream version of how Archer interprets his waking reality and the "sitcom drag" that we experience is Archer's unconscious brain running into the wall of his own narcissism over and over and realizing that that kind of interpretation is not only incorrect, but unfair to the other people in his life. They are complicated, nuanced, three-dimensional people (likely even moreso than himself) who deserve to be treated as such, and that helps launch into the growth he will need to exhibit now that the team has grown and moved on without him.

[@davidanalyst671]

but they are still wierd and boring

[@nickkelly3199]

@@davidanalyst671 I thought 2/3 of them were good actually

[@SXJAYSX]

You can put all of this "there's so much thought in it" spin as you want but in the end it feels like the "it was all a dream trope" except the audience already knows. So why get invested. It also comes across as a easy way for the writers to have literal free range and ability to do literary anything they want which again, why get invested. I could've seen this working if maybe every episode was a different story and setting or every two episodes. But each season we're following a story that has no relevance.

[@argentpuck]

I think Wisecrack commented on it recently, but it's basically that Archer was raised by media consumption, so he perceives the world entirely through the lens of fiction. So I never had a real problem with the fact that all the other characters were changing in ways that were guaranteed to reset, it was always just about Sterling and it sets up the latest season where he has to figure out how to cope with a brand new world dynamic (the many references to his coma dreams do reflect that the experience meant something to HIM, even if no one else shared it).

[@danfromtheburgh]

nice.

[@areggrigoryan7502]

I was really happy for Archer and Lana the few episodes they were very good to each other and reunited ( when the crew set Archer up to hook up with Katya), and I felt like the progress of the two characters grew into a logical and heartwarming (for me) union of the two, but their interactions in the next few seasons really put them back where they were when Lana was dating Cyril. I really hope they end up being together, the confession Archer made at the start of season 11 really shows he is capable of love and of strong love towards Lana, and the only reason he stopped behaving well with Lana was her deteriorating temper towards him and their relationship following the Katya incident( where again, Archer showed his capability of loyalty, what he is suffering with though is the ability to express his feelings correctly).

[@mechajay3358]

I actually enjoyed the coma seasons, they offered some unique storytelling for better or worse, but I'm real glad they're going back to bases with the other characters.

[@apanapandottir205]

I've watched archer a billion times and i didn't realize season 11 was out.

[@samkul1699]

Nether did I and then one day I searched it up on Google and under episodes there was a season 11 which at first I thought was the 10 season the 1999 but the description for the first ep was that Archer wakes up from the coma and I was like whhaaaat . It was an amazing season tho 👍🏼

[@zombifiedoll1388]

you poor soul

[@Shivcel172]

@@samkul1699 same, i had never been more exited.

[@bpeel20]

ur not missing anything trust me. take this from a long time archer fan. This season is a bit flat

[@apanapandottir205]

@@bpeel20 Just watched it and I thought it was pretty decent. Comedy was good IMO but story wise is was kinda meh.

[@wtfrenchtoast2012]

Agreed. Only mistake was makinging less episodes. Really wanted a lot more.

[@davidcelona8167]

This season was too short to have a proper finale

[@swirlystrawstudios5465]

Good point I was waiting the last two weeks for the next episode. Until yesterday I realized online, "Wait that's it? What? WHAAAATTTT?

[@Marvin-xe4mi]

Every 6 months I rewatch all archer seasons and still enjoy every single episode

[@stormfish9090]

Dreamland is easily my favorite of the coma seasons. It had a genuinely interesting story and a great ending.

[@DomyTheMad420]

Archer's coma season was the ONLY time i ever enjoyed a coma season of any show. they did it well.

[@gabrielfraser2109]

Which season? There were 3.

[@matthijszegwaard2081]

@@gabrielfraser2109 Dreamland is my favourite by far!

[@laufdemkamp]

Yea I loved them all except for the space season...

[@jimrustle270]

I skipped them entirely. Hate the lack of stakes. Loving the new season though.

[@bobnotbobff]

Isis they couldn't call it that anymore

[@scottymacdewder5229]

Yeah, thanks obama.

[@dlobelow760]

Yeah kinda obvious tbh

[@DrumWild]

@@scottymacdewder5229 Obama had nothing to do with their decision.

[@scottymacdewder5229]

@@DrumWild bruh it was a joke.

[@MultiAlerocks]

@@scottymacdewder5229 Obama last name is care

[@Xanegoh]

Season 11 promised a huge shift in dynamics between Sterling and the crew. But didn't really keep that promise and quickly went back to old habits.

[@robynsrecs2183]

the problem with video essays: they are opinion pieces that "inform" you stuff has supposedly gone wrong

[@yautja89]

I enjoyed the coma seasons for the freedom it gave the makers to explore stories they may not have been able to before, also they were still very funny

[@IamBerrii]

With all crap on TV... Ill take Archer "boredom" anydayyyyyyy

[@angusrhoton7114]

Archer didn’t go wrong.

[@kristiyangerasimov6708]

Dreamland is by far my favorite season. Too bad it was cut so short. I'd have loved a couple more stories to be told in that paradigm.

[@ObsidianLife]

Interesting take. I often think the problem for Archer is that they have a “casual” sitcom audience that values familiarity over quality. A show like Venture Brothers Has been able to create drastic change in the character because the audience enjoys the growth, whereas sitcoms (which Archer essentially is) is based on predictability and repetition. Plus...a lot of the characters ARE Flanderized and the audience WANTS that, which is what I think they were fighting against...

[@RSRye]

Go Team Venture!

[@MySqueezingArm]

The coma seasons were in large part due to the actor who played Woodhouse died in real life. Vice was great, then Dreamland was to buy time after Woodhouse dying. I thought it was refreshing to see new settings for a bit, and I'm excited for the latest one.

[@samkul1699]

That is actually just half the truth. The other half is that Adam Reed had decided that the actual Archer characters had neared the end of their story telling ability . Now with the end of season 11 there may only be 1-2 more seasons with season 12 being confirmed and season 13 being the finale season . So initially what was supposed to be a 10 season show became 13 because of the coma seasons . While Vice was a one off intentional season which deviated from the main setting it was done to bring in a fresh squeeze of new narrative which was tied to the main story , the coma seasons however were made primarily due to 2 reasons 1) FX wanted more Archer and 2) Reed wanted to explore the other genres as they were his last ideas for the show with him taking a backseat from season 11 . In actuality they were never meant to be taken too seriously I mean Archer is never meant to be taken too seriously but they non the less gave a good idea of what Reed had in mind . Season 11 was not the same as I did feel distant to the now old but somehow new characters but felt kind of familiar as the season progressed the ending however felt kind of not good being such an abrupt one and with nothing in particular to look forward to ( like the coma incident in season 7) . In the end I just want to the show to go out its own style and flair of comedy because it has done a lot which others shows did not 👍🏼

[@voltagedrop]

What went wrong is Adam Reed stopped writing.

[@cleohettori8725]

I love how the illustrators made Pam lose weight when she was addicted to coke, because that's exactly what happens, it's one of my favourite little attention-to-detail moments in any cartoon

[@60NineK]

I feel like the coma seasons were cut too short and could have had more to them, otherwise I enjoyed them. not the thing pam though..

[@takima504]

Ik tbh I didnt watch the space season lmao not my thang but the 1930 season was great i loved that one as well as danger island lmao

[@rodneymckay8860]

Archer 1999 was the best coma season. They could’ve squeezed 3 seasons out of that.

[@isiahalcindor6278]

Agreed I really enjoyed danger island tho

[@Husky_Family1]

Hell nah that seasons was the worse, dreamland was the best

[@frankie3351]

just the thought of them squeezing out anymore seasons of any of those gives me an anxiety attack lol. the coma seasons were not archer for me. Krieger is randomly a fuckin bird for a whole season like what?

[@kelc-1373]

Would you say “please detonate”

[@j.vonhogen9650]

How could anyone enjoy Danger Island? The hole season was a mess with extremely poor writing and lame jokes. 🤮 They should never have hired that new writers team. Those writers are just as bad as the young writers at Disney who are ruining Star Wars, except maybe for the talented guy who wrote the Doomsday Device episode of season 10. I thought that was a very decent episode imho. Adam Reed eventually returned as a writer to fill half of that season. The difference in the quality of the writing compared to the Danger Island season is easy to spot. I really hope Adam Reed will return as the (exclusive) writer of season 12.

[@winnietheboogaloo4584]

It's a show that went on too long relied on the same jokes and the writing got stale. It basically did in 6 seasons what took the Simpsons 20 years to do.

[@JustShootLight]

I absolutely am glad the old style is back and they are done with dream - seasons. I can’t wait to see what the next season brings, as I agree - the dream seasons felt stale rather quickly. This was my first Wisecreack episode ive ever see and it as a great introduction to your channel.

[@marcfelton2504]

Honestly. I like every season of Archer. When I saw this my first thought was "There's something wrong?" I get it though, oddly enough

[@772minitrucker]

Ditto

[@Erik-pu4mj]

I think Archer needed something like the coma seasons. I imagine the writers needed a break, the coma seasons supplied that, and the writers came out swinging immediately after. I will take a successful revival over a show that keeps going, only to get worse and worse (cough Supernatural cough).

[@linustrate]

I'm with you on the coma seasons being a break of sort for the writers. Exactly my initial thoughts. Archer did bring some new life to the show post-coma season. Personally think, those seasons are not some throwaway 'fillers' but do actually have intent, and will impact or trickle into main continuity in very interesting ways.

[@jaeho7501]

Mallory died -- the soul of the show -- that's what went wrong.

[@balaclavallama]

Archer's characters make me feel less alone and less like an asshole as all the characters have flaws like all of us

[@fredburns6846]

NOTHING ABSOLUTELY NOTHING

[@caodogao4327]

YEA!!!!

[@ryukisgod2834]

Can’t believe you didn’t mention the Cheryl becomes a country singer season. Loved that turn 🎤 🤠

[@axelpatrickb.pingol3228]

Oh, that explains why she's not there. I don't know if I want to see her back due to her peculiarities...

[@jasonkloos1498]

OUTLAW COUNTRY!!! 😃

[@bboyauron]

holy shit. that cereal is INSANELY Expensive. I cannot believe these price are real

[@oldthompson4537]

Dreamland was definitely my favorite season, reminded me of La Noire

[@chazthurgood121]

I really liked the Dreamland and Danger Island season's. Dreamland had really cool way of depicting Shell Shock.

[@kirbymarchbarcena]

I want to see Archer eat those cereals and complain something about it.

[@DeWin157]

I'd watch that.

[@psychoonipsychooni]

maybe it's a sign of my own immaturity but what Archer made hilarious to me was the total disrespect of the characters for each other. The merciless harshness. One of my favourite Episodes began with a crying pam and archer who tried to get around her to take a spoon while ignoring her condition. It was the extremes that made the show funny to me. Not only the fights between the characters but the intense emotions. The screaming, the shootings, the drugs and the random sex scenes that were sometimes interrupted by some clever moments of self reflection or comments about politics. None of these could be replaced or compensate by genre changes or character development, because thats not what made the early seasons funny.

[@ekremkse]

Since the whole group tries to be ethically correct everyone but Archer has changed. Tbh I just like Pam, Krueger, and Archer since they did not changed that much

[@DamnZodiak]

I think it's a damn shame they just went back to the same old same old as season 11 progressed. Everyone falls back to their old self and no one ever changes. His kid goes to a boarding school so she's almost entirely irrelevant, unless she can act as a plot device. Even Archer's disability just becomes a slight inconvenience at best. The season started out great, but they fucking blew it at the end. I doubt I'll watch the next one tbh.

[@DigitalHabit]

I enjoyed the genre swapping seasons enough to say that in light of season 11 they did serve a purpose beyond what they actually showed, since it is solely because of his long comma stay that Season 11 was able to change course and make a meaningful progression to possibly more in-depth character growth from not only Archer but the whole cast

[@nickydtrades8923]

Nothing went wrong it’s still awesome

[@8523wsxc]

don't lie to yourself...

[@caodogao4327]

I know, right?! I was thinking to myself: Wait, wrong? The show still good...

[@des0163]

It's ok but it's not the same man

[@natefranklin.1628]

“ SENILE “ say it with me kids!

[@neicplemeniti8234]

I think its still good (10th season tho...)

[@gorefreak2]

They did 3 seasons of inconsequential dream sequence bullshit. That's what went wrong.

[@b1oh1]

I just recently rewatched the entire series over the course of 2 or 3 weeks. The coma scenes were much better on my second viewing. I understand your point about them not doing any permanent character development because it was all in Archer's head. However, he is the titular character and those seasons arguably show him doing the most growth. I personally didn't really consider that the coma versions of the characters as stuck or stunted. Instead, they were just Archer's imagination of them. For example, Pam's various masculine transformations isn't a punchline on Pam's character. Rather, it's a punchline on Archer's view of her. Ultimately, he went under for 3 years and was surprised that everyone grew. As seasons 11 and 12 progressed, we see him draw traits from the coma seasons for his growth in the real world. Tldr; Archer is one of my all-time favorite shows. Here's hoping for season 13. RIP Jessica Walters.

[@magnusofbackwater2054]

They’re experimenting and the results are pretty good.

[@natefranklin.1628]

tell that to the ratings and twitter

[@caodogao4327]

Agreed

[@victorjr9369]

@@natefranklin.1628 who cares about Twitter?

[@marsbars6869]

the low ratings say otherwise

[@kurtcobain279489]

Archer did nothing wrong, it's been one of the most consistently funny adult animations. Even the dream seasons were great just for the change of settings. I'm already stoked on the next season and probably gonna binge the series over again this winter.

[@EvanzoZubinsky]

I absolutely love noir season and tropical island season, but space season lost me completely for some reason, like it was made by different creators, it feels like snl parody of archer even using canned laughter couple of times for some bizarre reason

[@Unbreakable1986]

The way the show handled a timeskip was great, colourfully showcasing Archer's internal characterisations of himself and those around him in different scenarios before dumping him into a new normal where the world has moved on without him, leaving him to redefine himself in a setting where he's no longer the focal point that he used to be, and even worse for him, being physically less than he was before.

[@michaelspencer1315]

They briefly became Private Investigators before the coma not spies again.

[@terrenceharris-hughes4436]

The only season I had a problem with was Archer Vice. Compared to the trailer for it I was expecting more in terms of content

[@ElitePreferredSpecies]

My least favourite was Danger Island, but I wouldn't say it was particularly bad just not as good as the rest.

[@winglessmecha]

Seconded

[@bleach00101]

Yes I’m glad someone else said it, the coma season is when I essentially stopped watching the show. The fact that it was all a dream effectively making it all non canon made me lose interest. It was no longer a deep dive into the psych profile of all the characters and how that makes them navigate social interactions and instead just Archer who is fun in all but it makes me miss all the other well thought out characters

[@iansteelmatheson]

yeah. the Figgis Agency season was quite fun, but the Noire and Tropical Adventure ones were fucking *awful*. I liked the sci-fi one after, but it still wasn't great. I think it would be nice if it ended in the next couple years, in case the new poorer seasons taint the legacy of a show that was brilliant at its peak but has quickly gone downhill in the last 3 years. (haven't seen season 11 yet)

[@samkul1699]

Yeah the coma seasons were never meant to be taken seriously as they were filler seasons . But each was to pay homage to a certain genre like noir gangster flicks ( Scarface, Godfather, Sopranos) treasure hunt movies ( Indiana Jones, national treasure etc ) and space sci fi ( Star Wars ,star trek etc ) which is cooler that most filler episodes for other shows or anime

[@mactin7214]

To me, even if there were problems in the coma seasons, the show was still entertaining since the seasons where each setting was different was a breath of fresh air. It was always interesting to see what the character's roles would be on the show be when you take into account their personalities or the current predicaments they would be in that wouldn't be possible outside Archer's coma. Still, I'm glad Archer got out of his coma and season eleven happened because I think we can are going to see the characters in the show become better people after what Archer said at the end of the season. That, or we're going to see Lana and the others "double down" on their flaws in order to prove to Archer that he was wrong. Either way, I'm sure the next season going to be funny like the rest.

[@mrnine66]

They gradually made Archer a bumbling idiot who survives on luck alone from a grade A asshole of a spy that we all loved. The same way they turned stewie from family guy from a evil genius who wants to kill his own mom into a flamboyant closeted homosexual. Then Archer really lost me when they made that season that required you to ues a phone app in order to understand. I appreciate trying something new but it didn't work out in my opinion.

[@Crazael]

I thought the coma seasons were a lot of fun and I enjoyed the way they'd take the cast and throw them into wholly different genres and let them do their thing. It was fun seeing how their roles changed each season as well as how they stayed the same. I saw them sorta like how some movie studios or directors will hire the same actors over and over again for different movies. I never expected any kind of cross season continuity, so not having any never bothered me. I imagine part of my enjoyment is that I wasn't waiting for Archer to wake up or anything and was content to let the writers stick their characters in new and interesting settings each season.

[@satelitemikedatapro2498]

Newest season was back to basics and top notch. Archer vice kicked ass to.

[@takima504]

Bruh vice was my favorite tbh

[@takima504]

So much nostalgia for some reason when I think of that season lol Idk ig that was just a good year lmao

[@laurocoman]

I heard so many bad opinions about the last few seasons that I thought I was going to find some unwatcheable garbage. I was so surprised when I actually liked them.

[@sunglassesdude4819]

Only problem with Archer is how the show is going to move on without Mallory but I have faith that the writers will make it work

[@Evelyn_Okay]

Maybe if they used the coma episodes as a way for Archer to relive and overcome the biggest traumas and regrets in his life while in a fantastical setting.

[@KayOSweaver]

I'm really glad I watched this. The coma seasons really lost me and it's nice to know that season 11 is back to the old formula but with new twists.

[@ekremkse]

Tbh I hate Season 11 bc it feels like he is left out.

[@tigerspirit1917]

One thing I don't agree with what you said about the coma seasons. It's true the characters were static, incapable of growing or changing, but that is because of, not in spite of, they are figments of his imagination... So how could they change and go deeper into their development? They would constantly be the caricatures that he had of them.

[@MrPixel-ge6wx]

I personally thought that the coma seasons were a deep dive into Archers psychi. Like that the first coma season is obviously discussing what woodhouse meant to him. And i personally don’t think it’s only three coma seasons. Season eleven seams kind of, of. Too surreal, even for the world of archer. Maybe he won’t wake up again, and this is one last effort of his brain to put him together. Maybe there won’t be a next season but a Movie that concludes the Story with Archer dying while in his coma sleep.

[@bpeel20]

The Archer: Dreamland season I think was one of the most well written and funny ones

[@fancyf33t295]

Uhhh... Gonna wait. Edit: ok I waited. These dream sequences absolutely showcase Archer's psyche and how his relationships have changed over the years. Noir Pam was a dirty cop; always trying to get him in trouble but they eventually came to an understanding. Pam works in HR and obviously Archer would see that as a threat to his status in ISIS. We are then taken to Island Pam who is his best friend; she's got big boobs, a great attitude, and is stronger than Archer due to her size. Later in the seasons, Pam and Archer not only become sex pals but genuine friends - he even says "I think you might be my best friend." (So sweet). Then Space Pam is just a gross rock person. I would assume that it is because he can no longer imagine himself being "intimate" with Pam because their relationship has changed so much over the years that now she's just a pal who is also gross. How about his mother? Noir Malory is this all-knowing matriarch that refuses to operate from outside of the shadows. Anytime Archer does something she always seems to know what he is up to, much like how Malory was always keeping tabs on Archer in ISIS. Island Malory is less aware of Archer's schemes because he is starting to come into his own. He was the world's most dangerous spy well before Vice but now he is making plans and trying to assert himself, even if he fails. Then with Space Malory she is less of an authority figure to fear or subvert but instead she plays a supporting role. Literally incapable of doing anything to him because she is just some ball of energy thingy. They are much more cordial and he calls on her often without the threat of feeling like a child because he is now the captain of his ship/life even though he now has to try to make it a reality with his cane and rehab. Yeah. I guess it does hit reset but I was deeply engrossed in seeing how Archer viewed his co-workers and then seeing how they have changed in his eyes

[@beehambonio3378]

I didn't even know there was a season after space Archer. This is the greatest day ever.

[@bernard6255]

Just watched the season 12 premier and came away disappointed. I think they may have recorded their dialogue individually rather than as an ensemble because it seemed the back-and-forth on the script page was supposed to be quick, snappy, as always, but on-screen there were alot of elongated pauses between dialogue delivery and retort. The timing was off to say the least and i think it can be chalked up to subpar audio editing.

[@ClassyJackBF]

The reason I watch Archer is the characters and how they interact. This is why I quite liked Vice and the coma seasons. These characters will never get old for me.

[@jthompson1327]

I cant even recall the coma seasons. Glad to see this return to form

[@17yearsofrappingchallenge]

the coma seasons were genius idc

[@TheNintendoGamer64]

I think that the Archer coma seasons gave us some insight into his character and psyche. I feel as though his pattern of self-sacrifice hinted at how much he cared for those close to him, even if he acts like an asshole to them. I feel as though the alternate crew in the Archer 1999 was a more on-the-nose way of saying how Archer feels about them, with the alternate Archer literally saying how much he loved his crew and how much losing them affected him. I also feel that the mashing of genres hints at Archer's use of fictional media as a form of escape during his childhood, as his constant pop-culture references and need to be recognized for them alludes to, with this fictional escape being the default setting for Archer's comatose brain. Maybe Archer alluding to the fact that some of his quirks could be signs of the autism spectrum in Season 4 could be related as well. In conclusion, I think Archer's consistent self-destructive behavior (sex addiction, alcoholism, other high-risk behavior), and his pattern of pushing away (and in Woodhouse's case; abusing) those closest to him; hints at our favorite super-spy being depressed. I'm not a professional, but I think he may have Borderline Personality Disorder.