From the “spot-on” prophecies to elaborate voicemail hoaxes, FX’s Archer is that gift that keeps giving. With witty dialogue, extremely flawed characters, and the ultimate parodying of the spy genre, the show enjoyed a well-deserved 14-season run. Admittedly, the Barry/Archer rivalry (voiced by Dave Willis and H. Jon Benjamin respectively) was one of the best to behold. The cat and dog-esque chase often had Archer coming out triumphant. This leads to what should be a popular opinion – Archer deserved Cyborg Barry’s revenge and even more.
Part of the show’s appeal is that every character is so inherently flawed, that no one can feel inadequate watching them. At the top of that list is the titular character who’s charmingly irresponsible, insecure, and childish. He gets into this whole thing with ODIN agent Barry Dylan after he drops him off a roof and breaks his leg (Pre-cyborg times). From there, the pair constantly try to one-up each other for most of the show. While it’s entertaining, one thing becomes increasingly clear as the plot unravels – Cyborg Barry is justified.
Archer Has a Long History of Wronging Barry
Image Credit: FX
Let’s start by saying that everyone and anyone’s anger at Archer is justified 99% of the time. His primary character trait is being infuriating and aloof all at once. In Barry’s case, Archer started it after dropping him off a roof, breaking one of his legs. But, it’s not till Season 1, Episode 9 that viewers get to dig into their chaotic relationship. In one of the season’s classic flashbacks, Archer basically ruins an ODIN operation. But that’s not all, Barry is hanging off a balcony with only the silk-lined sleeve of Archer’s jacket to hang on to. Naturally, Archer refuses to help him up even with an apology for ruining his suit. Thus, began the chronicles of their intense hatred for each other.
No doubt strike 2 came when later in the same season, Archer defected to ODIN and slept with Barry’s fiancée (well, they were engaged to be engaged). It probably didn’t help that he kept bringing it up, even referring to her as the “Pelé of anal”. By then, Barry was just about ready to pop and the battle line was drawn. But shit didn’t hit the proverbial fan till Season 2, Episode 12 when Archer’s quest to find his father went south.
He got arrested and was tortured by the KGB and unfortunately for him, his mother’s affair with Nikolai Jakov (voiced by Peter Newman), head of the KGB has gone sour. So, in her usual fashion of bailing her son out of fixes, Malory Archer (voiced by Jessica Walter) made a deal with the devil, or in this case Barry. He infiltrated the KGB and got Archer out but was once again faced with a dreaded balcony scene. This time around it was silk socks that had Barry hurling down towards certain death… or something like that.
How Archer’s Actions Come Back to Haunt Him
Image Credit: FX
Let’s face it, Archer is a loveable anti-hero but is equally as infuriating as they come. Though Barry’s reasons for coming to rescue him were far from altruistic, he came anyway. Leaving him in Russia to die without a second glance was as huge a douche move as any. So, there’s another potent reason why Archer deserved Cyborg Barry’s revenge.
At first, it seemed like he came out winning as he headed back to America with his new lady love, Katya Kazanova (Ona Grauer). If one thing was clear, he was really smitten by this one. Proof? She somehow got the perpetually drunk Archer to stop drinking (a little bit) and even to commit to a life together. In what should have been a highly cathartic moment, Barry made his return to the States and there was a kerfuffle that ended with Katya’s death. However, there’s something oddly endearing about Archer and in that moment, it was hard not to feel bad for the guy. So, naturally, Barry became the villain in that moment which was probably a few hours after Archer unfeelingly let him slip away to his gravelly death.
In true revenge rampage fashion, Barry kept dropping in to torment Archer throughout the show. But, one of the hugest kicks in the nethers (on more levels than one) came when Katya was resurrected by mad scientist Krieger (voiced by Lucky Yates). First Archer, who’s justifiably wary of cyborgs has to deal with the fact that the love of his life has become the thing he hates. Then Cyborg Barry tops it off by whisking Katya away… romantically. The truth of the matter is that Archer deserved cyborg Barry’s revenge, but as usual, audiences can’t help but sympathize with the reckless anti-hero.
Yes, Archer Deserved Cyborg Barry’s Revenge, But We Sympathize With Him
Admit it, though Archer has an unapologetically questionable character, he has more lovers than haters. So, although Archer deserved cyborg Barry’s revenge, you probably can’t help but root for him. The million-dollar question is why? Well, for starters he’s unshakeably confident even when he’s clearly in the wrong and it’s bizarrely compelling. Whether he’s dropping a guy off a roof or fornicating with his fiancée-to-be, he does it righteously. Admittedly, that level of confidence is admirable.
It would be criminal to leave out Archer’s backstory when thinking about reasons why people sympathize with him. From being raised by Woodhouse (voiced by George Coe) to his complicated relationship with his mother, he had it hard. Throughout the show, flashbacks weave an intricate depiction of Archer’s childhood. Let’s just say that he’s as well-adjusted as anyone who’s been through all that could be. Perhaps that’s why any slither of humanity and care for his colleagues that pops up is overappreciated. Perhaps, the best thing about the character is that he did evolve in his own way. By Season 14, he’s still reckless and arrogant, but there are layers of depth to him. Even better is the fact that his relationship with Barry took a full 180°. They both got the ending they deserved.
Missing the raunchiness and dangerous thrill of Archer, catch up with the series on Netflix.
