Recalling the previous season finale, which definitely wasn't the best episode of the first season, I shouldn't have been expecting too much from "Double Trouble". But you can't help but build up expectations on a season finale, and whether they're justified or not, you can't help but feel short changed if those expectations aren't met. That sounds harsh and this was by no means a bad episode, just not as good as I know Archer can be, with the added disappointment of knowing it's going to be awhile until we see the gang from ISIS again. Continuing the plot from the previous episode, Archer returns from Russia with femme fatale, Katya Kazanova, the KGB defective who saved his life. Unfortunately she didn't bring any jokes with her so her early scenes with Krieger were falling flat and there's just no room for deadwood in a show as tightly written as Archer is. Though Krieger did get some laughs with the call back to his virtual fianc, though even that got old after her third appearance.
While most scenes did have Archer's trademark, razor sharp dialogue(particularly Archer's scene with Lana and Mallory in the latter's office), it wasn't producing the big laughs I've come to expect as well. Another reason I wasn't crazy about "Double Trouble" is that the plot centered around Nikolai Jakov, head of the KGB, and his underling, Boris. They've always been the weakest recurring characters for me and this episode was no exception, as they plot to kill Katya before she can reveal some very sensitive information. Their first attempt at doing so is by trying to convince ISIS she's a double agent; which leads Archer to have to choose between his new buxom beauty or his own mother and fellow colleagues. If you have to ask who he chose, you don't know Archer very well.
This is around when the episode really picked up. Coming off the last commercial break it's like they suddenly remembered how to be funny and almost all the characters were getting laughs. In another attempt to kill Kazanova the Russians decided to resurrect Archer's nemesis as half man, half machine. And while the Six Million Dollar Man montage had been cliched, Bionic Barry was now leading to the funniest moments of the episode, including the best line of the night as he informed Jakov he was going to do whatever he wanted, which meant killing Archer, not Kazanova. "You've sown the wind and now you shall reap...the Barry." After a shootout with Archer and Kazanova, the ISIS team discovers Jakov's deception("It's like Counter-Intelligence101") and that Katya's only secret is that she's wanted to marry Archer since she was a girl(Archer's look to the "camera" during their embrace was even better than the one in "A Going Concern"). Which leads into the final scene of their impromptu wedding on Archer's balcony, and some hilarious moments. Pam still walking funny from her pool ball fiasco was a subtle touch on a broad joke, which is exactly what makes Archer great. Ray killed me by revealing he was a disgraced former minister, who could still perform licensed marriage ceremonies, the irony of which was not lost on him. This is around when Sy Berg(Barry) decides to crash the party, kill Archer, and steal one more scene. To save her beloved, Katya hurls herself and Barry off the balcony, but unfortunately Barry goes, "One for Three off the roof, b****!"(great line) and is left unscathed, leaving Archer weeping for his lost love, as does Krieger over his van, which apparently Katya just couldn't avoid while plummeting to her death. Will Archer be able to stop Bionic Barry? Will Pam be able to break her pool ball record? Will Krieger get the S.S. Date Rape fixed("Toot Toot!")? All these questions will have to wait for next season; which rest assured, has been confirmed. Because despite it not being a barn burner, this episode did leave me wanting more, as Archer always does.moreless
Episode Summary
EDIT
After saving Archer back in Russia, Katya Kazanova goes back to the United States with Archer. However Malory and Lana are skeptical of Katya's defection to the West. The KGB labels Katya as a double agent, and all hell breaks loose in ISIS. Archer now has to fight for Katya's innocence as every ISIS agent comes after her.
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GUEST STAR
Ona GrauerKatya Kazanova
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GUEST STAR
Dave Roberts
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H. Jon Benjamin
Sterling Archer
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Judy Greer
Cheryl/Carol
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Amber Nash
Pam Poovey
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Chris Parnell
Cyril Figgis
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Aisha Tyler
Lana Kane
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Jessica Walter
Malory Archer
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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions
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TRIVIA (1)
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When Pam is in the bathroom stall, we can see her name written in graffiti on the wall behind her. This is a recurring theme that pops up in several other Archer episodes.
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QUOTES (5)
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Lana: Dude, this van is like rolling probable cause. Malory: All ashore from the S.S. Date Rape. Ray: Toot, Toot!
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Archer: Katya doesn't have VD. Malory: You haven't had sex with her?
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Barry: Yeah! One for three off the roof, bitch!
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Archer: If you don't find that bag, I will empty the contents of your body and use your leathery skin as a replacement.
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Archer: I quit drinking for her! (downs a drink) Just that one... I'm scared if I stop all at once, the cumulative hangover will literally kill me.
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NOTES (1)
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Original International Air Dates: United Kingdom: July 26, 2011 on 5*
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ALLUSIONS (5)
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When Barry dramatically reveals the robotic parts in his chest, this is a reference to the Sealab 2021 episode "I, Robot", where Quinn does the same. Adam Reed is the creator of both TV shows.
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The plot of this episode (a spy falling in love with a beautiful woman whose loyalties are in question) is reminiscent of the James Bond film On Her Majesty's Secret Service.
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Technician: Does one ring rule them all? Katya: One ring? Archer: Don't engage him. From there, it's all just orcs and gollums and balrogs. These are references to the books/films The Lord of the Rings.
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Barry is turned into The Six Million Dollar Man, from the popular 1970s TV show based on the novel Cyborg, and Jakov's assistant does a good impression of the narrator from that show. The show is about an astronaut, Steve Austin, who is badly injured in a crash and the government "rebuilds" him. Both of his legs, one arm, and his eye are replaced with bionic parts, which give him enhanced abilities that he uses in his work as a secret agent.
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Jakov's assistant: More like lemon party "Lemonparty" is a shock site with three elderly men involved in sexual acts.
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