Archer Review: The Kanes

Season: 6 / Episode: 8 / FX After about a three episode lull of “decent” episodes, Archer got back on it’s murda murda comedy game this week with a visit to the grandparents. Lana’s parents. With Sterling. Yes, that is as terrible an idea as it sounds, but the train wreck that is Sterling with a couple of academics was supplemented by some really good jokes, action and revelations. The traditional “meet the parents” trope with Lana’s parents is elevated by the fact she’s been hiding her job (they think she’s still pursuing her PhD in social services) and by the fact that they picked probably the two most ideal people to do the voice acting for her parents. Keith David (who gets a little more run) and CCH Pouder are perfect for Lana’s parents and the continual ridicule of Sterling. Lemuel (David) has some invaluable research he’s been working on, which leads to a theft, a high speed chase (with the car from Bullitt) and Lana having to reveal to her pops what her real skill set is.

While brief, the b-story with Pam, Krieger, Carol and Cyril has some pretty funny bits. Their van breaks down in a rough part of town on the way to a league bowling match. Of course they are in a bowling league. One of the funniest parts was probably Carol saying something completely racist and then turning on the Japanese hologram and telling her(it) that her people invented racism. Only on Archer.

All in all, this was a pretty funny episode, helped by some great guest voice acting and taking some…