Archer Preview: Season 3, Episode 9 - Space Race: Part 1

Archer sniping
(Image credit: FX)

Archer is gearing up for its first two parter of the season with the second half being the all too soon season finale. Sadly, the third season of FX animated comedy from Adam Reed is coming to an end the following week but at least it seems to be going out on a high note since, well, you can't get much higher than outer space. The spy spoof which often lampoons US-Russian relations is finally tackling one of the great Cold War conflicts with “Space Race: Part 1.”

The Russian theme has been ongoing for a few weeks now starting with Bionic Barry's reappearance and replacement or should I say disposal) of Head of the KGB Nikolai Jakov. However, even though Archer's possible Red Poppa was terminated, last week's "Skin Game" saw the resurrection of his former bride to be, Katya. I sadly did not get the chance to review this episode but in a few short words, it started pretty slow but developed some momentum - both in terms of its laughs and spiralling narrative - and became another great show this season and continued to explore the Russian and American tensions. As well as human cyborg relations, with the robot vaginas and all.

Here's a clip from this week's "Space Race: Part 1."

Okay, so the title is a bit misleading in that is doesn't seem like this episode has anything to do with those pesky Russians and their red track-suit wearing, cybernetic Head of the KGB, however, we didn't exactly get the best look at whomever it was attacking the International Space Station Horizon, so you never know. Also, it seems that only the field agents at ISIS (and Malory, a former field agent) will be going into orbit, unless Pam and Cheryl manage their usual stowaway antics. I hope so, or at least hope Pam, Cheryl and Krieger get up to something equally exiting on the ground.

Archer airs Thursdays at 10 p.m. ET on FX. It stars H. Jon Benjamin, Aisha Tyler, Jessica Walters, Judy Greer, Chris Parnell and Amber Nash. It was created by Adam Reed.

Official synopsis via the Archer Website,

Archer and his colleagues at ISIS voyage to the final frontier in an effort to prevent a catastrophe on the International Space Station.