Archer (2009)

Archer shows its age in places but the core of what made it special remains. H. Jon Benjamin's perfect deadpan delivery is still funny and Malory Archer is still endearing. Some references land flat now but the heart is intact.

I watched Archer as a kid and rewatched it as an adult. It's even better the second time. the rapid-fire wordplay is only apparent when you're older. Malory Archer remains one of the great animated characters.

Archer pushed the boundaries of what animated storytelling could do. The exploration of workplace comedy was groundbreaking for its medium. I still think about Lana Kane's arc regularly.

I did not expect Archer to make me cry but here we are. Placebo Effect hit me completely off guard. Pam Poovey is written with such care that the emotional moments land with full weight.

Archer has a few weak episodes scattered through its run but the high points more than compensate. Sterling Archer's storyline is beautifully handled. Adam Reed had a rare clarity of vision for the whole series.

Archer works on two levels: kids get the surface entertainment and adults get the subtext. Adam Reed's writing treats its audience with respect. The episode Heart of Archness is as good as any live-action drama.

Archer is one of those shows you can't believe was made for children. The themes of spy parody are handled with more depth than most adult dramas. Adam Reed's vision is unmistakable.

Archer manages to be both laugh-out-loud funny and genuinely insightful. H. Jon Benjamin's perfect deadpan delivery gives the show a comedic engine that never gets old. Adam Reed understood that smart humour and broad comedy can coexist.

Archer has a visual identity so distinctive that you can recognise it from a single frame. Adam Reed worked with artists who understood that style should reflect substance. The look of the show embodies narcissism and family dysfunction.

I grew up with Archer and now I'm watching it with my own children. They love it as much as I did. the rapid-fire wordplay is just as effective the twentieth time. True classics work across generations.