Classic Archer In Five Sploosh Seasons, 1: That's How You Get Ants

It's not so hard to believe that the animated show, Archer, is over, as much as it's hard to believe it was still on the air. The Arrested Development-influenced spy show was a festival of callbacks, pop culture references, and delightful world building. I was completely engrossed by the show for the first seven seasons. Unfortunately, beginning in season eight, there were several seasons where the show was reimagined in the Depression, on a mysterious island, in space. All of these could have made for interesting episodes or two-parter episodes. As full seasons, it was an unwatchably dull parody of what the show had once been. Then the creator left but the show kept going. Would it ever meet the heights of the first seven seasons? I don't know. The coma dreams seasons were so bad, I never went back to the show. But now that it's over, I'm going to do my own investigation. 

As I do my rewatch, I'll be making a five season reimagining with only the best episodes. Season one introduces the characters, the running gags, the tension between characters, and some genuine surprises.

Season One:
That's How you Get Ants

101. Mole Hunt

One of the greatest set-ups for a comedy series that's going to thrive on in-jokes. The characters are going to evolve massively from this first episode but you do get a basic understanding of most of them here. Plus, a taste of the chaos surrounding how The Agency (called ISIS for the first few seasons until a terrorist organization with the same name became a constant stream of awful news) accidentally operates. There are problematic jokes but you're not supposed to identify with the people who say them. Show/movie inspiration: The Man From UNCLE

102. Killing Utne

The tale of two agents hired by opposite agencies for contradictory missions that involve a potential investor for The Agency. Will Trudy Beekman pay the price? Show/movie inspiration: Leon The Professional

103. Honeypot

A gay assassin is the target of The Agency, Fidel Castro, and, you know, society. It's up to the incredibly ignorant Archer to seduce him and save the world from having to watch a sex tape of Malory. Show/movie inspiration: The Mexican

104. Skorpio

Micromanaging Malory and the head of the KGB follow Lana when she goes undercover to stop an arms dealer on a very fancy yacht. Show/movie inspiration: Thunderball

105. Skytanic

A new line of airship that runs on helium instead of hydrogen is the scene for a bomb scare that's meant to teach Trudy Beekman a lesson. Show/movie inspiration: Juggernaut

106. The Rock

Lana and Archer are caught in the crossfire when The Agency goes up against ODIN after a security contract goes awry. Show/movie inspiration: Return Of The Pink Panther / The Great Muppet Caper

107. Job Offer

ODIN offers Lana a job but ends up accidentally hiring Archer, leading Malory to put a burn notice against him. Plus, all the cock comes to roost when Lana discovers one of Cyril's secrets. Show/movie inspiration: The Deer Hunter

108. Swiss Miss

A rich, young vixen is after Archer. As are a copious amount of spies. And Malory falls for the vixen's father, who falls for another member of The Agency. There's also a twin dillema! Show/movie inspiration: For Your Eyes Only 

109. Pipeline Fever

Archer and Lana take an airboat cruise in New Orleans to stop environmental terrorists, and it quickly turns into an infamous Burt Reynolds movie. Show/movie inspiration: Gator!

110. The Double Deuce

Archer's poor, beleaguered butler gets terrible news. The members of his World War One squadron are being killed off in order to collect on a tontine for the last surviving member. Show/movie inspiration: Legends Of The Fall

111. Stage Two

Archer has breast cancer, and an incompetent doctor, but at least he has his family and coworkers to make him feel better, right? Show/movie inspiration: Arrested Development's "The One Where Michael Leaves"

112. Placebo Effect

Archer's cancer drugs turn out to be children's aspirin and Zima, leading him and Lana to go on a rampage to track down and kill the people responsible for stealing the cancer drugs. Oh, and it turns out that Dr. Krieger is a clone of Hitler. Show/movie inspiration: The Boys From Brazil

113. El Secuestro

A long running joke has been about Carol's identity. Or Cheryl's identity. Or whatever she calls herself. But it turns out she's someone whose worth knowing when a group of kidnappers go after her, only to abduct Pam instead. Show/movie inspiration: Andy Griffith Show "Barney's Gun"

114. White Nights

When Archer ends up getting captured while searching for his possible father in Russia, Barry from ODIN is sent to rescue him. Nothing, of course, goes according to plan for Barry.  Show/movie inspiration: Die Hard

115. Double Trouble

Archer brings back a surprise from Russia, the KGB agent who rescued him. The two decide to get married. Also, uhhh, Barry is a cyborg now. Show/movie inspiration: The Six Million Dollar Man