We’re a bit excited that the first five seasons of Archer are finally on Netflix in Australia, after making quite a name for itself on the US version of the popular streaming platform. So excited, that many here at The Iris are not doing their work and instead having a binge of entire seasons of the hilarious animation from FX. As we relive some of the now classic episodes of the series, we’re counting down our five favourite episodes from the first five seasons…
5. Live and Let Dine (Season 4 Ep 7)
You can’t beat combining the angry, ranty celebrity super chef live TV element with Archer and his crew of secret agents. In “Live and Let Dine”, they attempt to prevent the Albanian emissary from being killed in an assassination threat at a popular high end restaurant all whilst being filmed by a TV crew and having to appease celebrity chef Lance Casteau (played by real celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain). Archer may have found his calling as a sous chef but can he and his crew save the day and serve the guests in time.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3_q9LsRJis
4. Space Race (Parts I and II – Season 3 Ep 12 & 13)
OK this is technically two episodes, but it’s impossible not to include them on the absurd and yet hilarious “Space Race” closer to Season 3. The two part episode nails the art of building up references and recurring jokes throughout the show that topple over in an overwhelming finale of giggles. Cyborgs, rockets, arch enemies and Mallory’s alcoholism was the perfect finish for a fantastic season.
3. Fugue and Riffs (Season 4 Ep 1)
Crossing over Bob’s Burgers with Archer seemed inevitable in some way – but the way the writers handled it makes the episode nothing short of one of the most genius and hilarious moments of the entire series. It undoubtedly convinced a lot of us to watch Bob’s Burgers too. Which was a fantastic choice.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GFobb7n7AzE
2. El Secuestro (Season 2 Ep 10)
It featured the first appearance of that fox eared bastard Babou, Cheryl’s pet ocelot… and we love this episode almost purely for Archer’s best pun of the first couple of seasons:
1. The Limited (Season 3 Ep 6)
“The ISIS team are tasked with transporting a dangerous Canadian terrorist back to Canada on a train. So many Canadian jokes + hijinks on a train + accusations of racism + a wild Ocelot who keeps spraying urine everywhere. Will the team manage to get their terrorist safely back to Canada? Or will the the Nova Scotians throw a spanner in the works and get their man free and spoil Archer’s lifelong dream of a fight on the roof of a train?” – Carina Nilma
“This one particularly stands out for me. There were a few laughs at the expense of Canadians and the play on the train mystery cliche had my sides splitting with giggles. Carol/Cheryl’s developing character as a psycho heiress to the Tunt family fortune made her one of my favourite secretaries in a TV series (Sorry Joan “Red” Holloway).” – Meredith McLean
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gW5gp2QX3nA
Thanks to Andrew Wade, Carina Nilma and Meredith McLean for their contributions for this article. Head to netflix.com to watch all the episodes and more now!
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