The show plays to a pretty wide audience, so I guess the redundancy is for the lowest common denominator. I thought that the machine view is more of a stylistic element, so I was thrilled when they put in the little details which support the narrative. If you're into the whole nerdy freeze-framing / analyze the little…

@avclub-d0cf409eb912cc0cc950b41b6d892d07:disqus I think that Elias actually does have some genuine warmth to him, as opposed to Root seem more cold and psychotic. Elias values loyalty and punishes betrayal severely, i.e. his dealing with HR.

Taking common tropes and giving them a PoI spin is one of the most fun aspects of the show.

True. Maybe the machine gave up some intelligence which got it's way to the FBI.

Well, we also know that Cal is the god-son of the head of HR - that might have gotten him flagged by the FBI. I'm doubt that the FBI would have really cared  much about his IAB record with respect to Carter - they probably look at that stuff as internal political BS.

Must have been post-commercial - totally missed that scene. I guess he John distracted by the body.

I didn't feel the conclusion was weak. If you go with the assumption that Harold and John will come out ok, there's only so many permutations of how it could work out. I personally liked that Cal played a role as we don't see him in action that much. Although now that I think about it, we didn't see Fusco, so points…

I hope Root gets more of a back story treatment like Elias (I mean, beyond her child years).

I thought this was a good episode - a nice return to the norm, although I have a feeling that definition is going to be changing in the near future. The "dark, stormy night with strangers trapped in a close space" was kind of like a horror-movie cliche, except in this case, you know John is going to the bring the…

I don't think it would work - she wouldn't be able to talk to any of them, even with the alcohol.

I would have preferred that they kept Ben & Kate instead of The Mindy Project.

As far as I'm concerned, the series ended when Sam left in mid-season 4. I will, however, accept that Leo does pass away before Jed finishes his second term and, at the end of his presidency, the Bartletts fly away and Jed looks on Mallory's gift fondly.

Well, the grade's not as important as the fact that Skytanic is crazy funny. Todd compared it to The Limited in season 3, which he liked but most people didn't like as much, but I thought The Limited was great also - getting on vehicles always = fun on Archer.

Based on the review, the plot sounds like a retread of Skytanic from season 1, which was an awesome episode. But you know how to tell if an Archer is great? You read the review and all the comments which quote all the jokes, then you watch it and you still laugh. That's an A.

The worse thing will be when they start listing Happy Endings on Fridays at the end of March. It's going to be sad and depressing - it's like Fringe all over again!

Welcome! You now have to choose between the "Pro-Bear" or the "No-Bear" side. One side will result in exile. =)

A Quick Cheatsheet:

I also didn't really care for the Shaw character, but I though Shahi was fine. I felt it was more like the characterization which the writers gave her that I didn't like, but the way she executed Wilson (two shots - one through the heart and one in the head) was pretty ruthless and well portrayed.

Yeah, I know, but it does have that feel like a backdoor pilot. It could  focus singularly on Shaw so you don't really need a supporting cast per se.

I like that the show pushes for trying different things. And they managed to fit Bear in there too this week!