Archer - Episode 4.08 - Coyote Lovely - Advanced, non-spoilerly review

First of all, I want to mention that this is the first preview episode I chose to review for SpoilerTV, and it also happens to be my first review of a single episode, something I find hard to do, especially for a comedy, as describing what's going on in the episode seems pointless without at least trying to analyse it, and there's only so much analysis you can do based on 20 minutes of comedy, no matter how funny it is - in Archer's case, it often is.

So I don't know if I'm allowed to express slight criticism towards this episode I had the opportunity to see in advance, but I thought Coyote Lovely was not as strong as the previous episodes of the season - and they are pretty fresh in my memory since as I have been watching episodes 4.05, 4.06 & 4.07 this morning before diving into this eighth episode.

I'm looking at the production order and this makes sense : Coyote Lovely, airing as episode 4.08, was produced as 4.02. Except this one, all the other episodes of this season are airing in order. Maybe Adam Reed and FX felt it wasn't as good, and I concur, and since it didn't include any element of this season's overreaching arcs or references to serialized elements (Ray doesn't appear, so no mention of his bionic legs - which he got in episode 4.03), they decided to air it now before the final 5 episodes.

When I say overreaching arcs, I mean that the past few episodes have all been linked to stories that seem to drive the season : Archer's search of his father (he almost identified him during his 'death') and Barry's revenge (who managed to get off the spatial station and then teamed up with Katya to ridicule ISIS in an expensive, elaborate way, in what is probably one of this season's highlights).

Well, to be fair, there actually is a callback to a recurring joke : Archer's voicemail. Hint : it doesn't turn out how you'd think it would. You'll see by yourself, but that was a very good scene.

Without giving away what happens in Coyote (Coyotay ?) Lovely, I will just say that it is a stand-alone episode told through flashbacks, as Lana & Cyril are debriefing their mission with Archer that took place at the US-Mexico border with their attempt to capture a Mexican smuggler. I won't divulge any plot twists but to be honest, I wasn't as invested in the episode as I was when Archer was dying in Turkmenistan or being a chef.

Other than that, I thought that a bald, red-bearded border patrol officer featured in this episode looked a bit like Louis C.K, even though he doesn't really, but watch out for that. And for Arrested Development fans (many of whom, I'm sure, watch Archer), there's an innocent (well…) Mexican woman named Lupe in the story, and this time it's not Jessica Walter's character who's yelling at her.

When watching animated films or series, I am not someone who easily identify guest stars behind voices, but this time I had no trouble recognizing the voice of one of the stars of the excellent Sons of Anarchy as a drunk, undoubtedly unlicenced doctor.

Here are a few quotes that made me laugh. I purposely don't indicate the context or who's saying these funny lines, you will have to watch the episode to find out :

— Could you escort us to an hospital ? I bet at least three of these women are about to give birth.
— Sorry, that was inappropriate. Although, so was the response.
— I think you're ready.
— I'm sure there's a lesson in here somewhere.
— Dude, phrasing ! Don't listen to him, you're beautiful !

This is not the strongest episode of the season, clearly, but even a disappointing episode of Archer is better than most comedies out there, so as always it would be a shame for you to miss it.

Written by series creator Adam Reed (as are all the episodes), this episode starred the voices of H. Jon Benjamin, Aisha Tyler, Chris Parnell, Judy Greer, Amber Nash, and Jessica Walter.

Archer airs Thursdays at 10pm on the great FX, followed by the funny new comedy Legit.

Episode 4.08 : 12.5/20.
Season 4 so far : 15.5/20.
My favorite comedies : Arrested Development, Curb your Enthusiasm, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Community, Seinfeld, Party Down, 30 Rock, The Office, Parks & Rec, Raising Hope, Better Off Ted, The Comeback, Bored to Death, The League, Eastbound & Down, etc.