'Archer' Season 11 Episode 6 Review: The cracks in Lana's marriage start to show after disastrous double date
Spoilers for 'Archer' Season 11 Episode 6 'The Double Date'
There are a few mysteries about Sterling Archer's (H Jon Benjamin) coma years that are yet to be answered. What finally inspired Cyril Figgis (Chris Parnell) to work out and become a competent field agent? Where did the rival spy organization Janus come from? Was New, Better Cheryl Tunt (Judy Greer) actually new and better?
After tonight's episode, however, any coma-years questions pale before the big one — how in the world did someone like Lana Kane (Aisha Tyler) ever end up getting married to a man like Robert Kane (Stephen Tobolowsky)?
In this episode, Archer decides to make the most of a stakeout operation with a double date, attempting to make Lana jealous by showing off a younger, smarter Lana in Gabrielle (Nicole Byer). Cyril's confidence goes from bad to worse after the team abandons him on what is supposed to be his mission, and we learn that Lana's marriage is not all that she's claimed it was as Robert spews one skeevy or outdated line after another.
As much fun as Archer has had making fun of Robert for his age, even Archer has to sit back as he learns that there's no better burn for Robert than Robert himself. It doesn't seem like Lana and Robert's marriage is going to go the distance, especially considering that despite her background as a spy, it's not until this double date that Robert's past secrets start spilling out, from his political views to his past marriages and his disturbing ogling of Archer's date.
On-mission, Archer and Lana's bickering is nothing new, but this spy mission-turned-double date really brings out the fact that both of them need to take their love lives a little more seriously, given that their unresolved feelings for each other are messing up any chance they have to be happy.
Speaking of unresolved feelings, after being left with the cheque for a double date he wasn't invited to, Cyril finally lets out his feelings — and no, not just his tears. As the ever-supportive Pam Poovey (Amber Nash) finally gives him the encouragement he needs, Cyril manages to vent out more than just sorrow at Archer's return — he's furious at Archer's lack of respect.
Cyril's slow descent from hyper-competent field agent to being lost in Archer's shadow is a joke that's started to wear a little thin, but his anger is something that could perhaps keep his storyline fresh.
After weeks of back and forth jabs, it's satisfying to see an episode that finally puts the spotlight on the Archer-Lana relationship, as there's a lot for them to sort through. Though the mission is a bust in a surprising twist of events, it leaves Archer and Lana a rare moment of kindness together as Archer realizes he messed up. While it's possible that the two may be able to move on from each other, they have a lot to work out before they do - and this episode brings them a step closer to that.
The next episode of 'Archer' airs October 21 on FXX, at 10 pm ET.
