In this week's episode of Archer Vice things become better. The new episode format has some thrilled and others disappointed. But in the episode, The Rules of Extraction, the formula that was key to the previous seasons returns. The key is Archer. Season 5, titled Archer Vice, took focus off Sterling Archer as the main character. But finally there is a return to him being in the spot light.
Rules of Extraction beings with Archer, Ray and Cyril being held captive by crooked Columbian officers, who plan on executing them in the jungle. Luckily for the guys, there is a cow in the road, which causes a major car accident, ultimately freeing them. The episode has a buddy cop/spy dynamic going on with the guys in the jungle. And back at Tunt Manor the women have a spa day, which result in their bonding.
In the jungle after the crash Ray losses the ability to walk (as always), and Cyril tries to take charge. However, Archer and Ray laugh at him. Archer gently walks over to Cyril, takes his gun and rustles his hair. Ray comes up with an idea to raft down river to find an extraction location. Archer agrees but expresses his distaste for the murderous crocodiles that lurk beneath them. During the whole journey toward an air strip Ray challenges Archer to grow up and accept certain realities. Ray believes that Archer doesn't take mortality seriously, and as a result nothing else either. Eventually Archer agrees but of course they find an air strip by luck. Ray is happy that Archer agrees, but mortified when they find the strip, which proves Archer is sometimes right, things just work out.
The episode's over all story was uneventful, but the dialogue really shined. The episode had amazingly funny lines, and focused on developing the characters into more rounded figures. Archer's acceptance of immaturity, Cyril trying to be a leader, Ray guiding Archer to growth and realization were all long over due elements. Here are just some of the best lines from the episode:
Cyril: "Why are you so scared of crocodiles?"
Sterling: "Gee, I don't know, Cyril. Maybe deep down I'm afraid of any apex predator that lived through the K-T extinction, physically unchanged for a 100 million years because it's the perfect killing machine. A half-ton of cold-blooded fury with a bite force of 20,000 Newtons and stomach acid so strong it can dissolve bones and hoof."
Cyril: "What do crocodiles eat?"
Sterling: "Everything! They eat everything! And fear is their bacon bits."
RAY: “How long will it take you, Archer, to admit that you dick around every time we’re in danger just to screw with everybody, because of your complete—no, your utter contempt for your own mortality?!”