1x02 Training Day

[7.7/10] Rewatching this episode, it’s interesting how some of the characters don’t really feel fully formed yet (looking at you, Pam and Cheryl and Krieger), but how much of the show’s humor seems well-honed already. There’s some bits that feel weird, like Lana’s machine gun attack, but for the most part, the show’s voice is there, which is impressive as hell!

The main story, with Archer and Cyril teaming up, is a real winner. Cyril stumbling his way through Archer’s spy shenanigans and lessons makes for lots of comedy, and the pair have a great dynamic. All the gags about lubricated guns and elaborate tango lesson defenses are amusing. The mix between Archer’s self-confident libertine ways and Cyril’s button-down sheepishness makes for a superb back-and-forth between them. And the addition of a cautious Woodhouse and testy Janette is superb.

But things are just as good back at the office. Mallory being high and worrying about Archer makes for some great lines like “listening to the raps and shooting all the jobs.” And Pam and Cheryl pawing through the company health plan database is super funny as well, given their specific back-and-forth. Lana’s suspicions are the only thing that feel a little miscalibrated, but that’s balanced off by the superbly packed in health plan jokes throughout, and even awesome setups and payoffs like Archer’s initial drunken plea about loving Santa and then the later flashback to his Xmas without Mallory. (Plus, the “fall off for literally no reason” classic line.)

Overall, this is a really fun episode, where the show’s voice already seems well-formed, and there’s a nice reversal of fortune for Archer through the whole thing.