It was a close encounter on Archer this week when Sterling Archer needed help getting back to New York after getting drunk in Las Vegas. The clerical staff at the office offered him a ride on Cheryl's private jet where they detoured to the Nellis Air Force base.
Archer called Cheryl and Pam at the office where he needed a ride home. After being put on the blacklist for flying and train-riding, Cheryl went with Pam, Krieger, Ray, and Cyril to pick him up on her private jet, the Sky Tunt. Because of Ray's poor-pilot skills, they flew into restricted areas and had to make a crash landing at the Nellis Air Force Base.
To save everyone's skin, Archer pretended to be Agent Slater and use his Q clearance, but they remained stuck due to Archer's need to make a cocktail.
Pam and Krieger got separated from the group and had an encounter with real aliens. Archer went to look for them leading to some amusing moments including him finding a guy smashed against the wall, courtesy of Pam.
After their encounter, Pam and Krieger were found by Archer, and everyone left the base in a stolen Air Force plane. The episode ended with Archer wanting to go to Branson, Missouri, which was where they were headed to begin with.
In a subplot, Malory managed to buy naming rights for AJ's middle name from Lana. Her name would be Abbiejean Malory Archer, much like her father.
Let's look back at some memorable moments from 'Nellis.'
Image courtesy of Jennifer Graylock/INFphoto.com
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10. "Carol, Hey, Shut Up."
The episode began with Archer calling Cheryl from Vegas. Because he still didn't know her name after six years of the show airing, he greeted her with his usual, "Carol, hey, shut up, I need your help." She used her minding-reading powers from 'Vision Quest' and guessed he ran away from home because Lana set him up with Farouq. It was a nice way to catch everyone up on what's been going on so far this season.
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9. "I Want to Fly the Train!"
Cheryl was annoyed that Archer needed her to wire him money to get back to New York. She offered to get him a plane ticket and a prostitute, which proved problematic since he was put on the 'no fly' list. She also offered to get him a train ticket, but he wasn't allowed on trains either because of his need to "fly the train." She was about to suggest he take the bus, but he immediately showed his aversion when one pulled up right in front of him.
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8. Ray Gillete, Pilot
About to board the Sky Tunt, Archer was met with Cheryl, Pam, Krieger, Cyril, and Ray, who was the airplane's pilot. Archer was not happy, but that didn't stop Ray from enjoying his role as pilot by making overhead announcements and wearing a pilot's suit.
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7. Teacup Pig
Amidst getting hit by missiles after flying too close to Area 51, Archer and Ray engaged in banter over the latter's teacup pig. When they landed at Nellis, it got heated with the mention of the film Charlotte's Web. Ray was hit with the harsh truth his teacup pig from the farm was probably sent to slaughter for Archer's future BLT.
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6. Archer and Cheryl Kiss
Thinking they were about to plummet to their deaths, Archer and Cheryl shared an out-of-character moment when they engaged in a passionate kiss. It was a good moment for fans of their relationship as they were left to wonder if anything would become of their relationship.
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5. Archer Pretends to be Agent Slater
Assuming it's his role to get everyone safely home, Archer convinced everyone at Nellis he had Q clearance by pretending to be Agent Slater. He was able to fool Lieutenant Colonel by having the office drones strip down to their underwear to be more convincing. They would have been able to make a quick getaway, if Archer wasn't sidetracked with making himself a drink.
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4. "Do Something With Your Hands."
While Pam and Krieger went off to find the aliens, Cheryl, Ray, and Cyril looked to Archer to save them. He told them he would go after them as soon as he finished making his drink. He instructed Cyril to do something with his hands, like chop up some limes. It was amusing because of the double-meaning behind "do something with your hands."
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3. Abbiejean Malory Archer
Malory was in a nice mood when Lana stopped by the office. They bonded over AJ as Malory made one last-ditch effort to get her to name her daughter after HER grandmother. After throwing around some dollar figures, Lana agreed to make 'Malory' her middle name. That gave her $22,500. Plus, Malory never missed an opportunity to use the race card when determining where AJ should be christened.
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2. Archer Rescues Pam and Krieger
Pam and Krieger ventured away from the others to find the aliens. Along the way, Pam roughed up a guy, who Archer later discovered. While Pam and Krieger had a moment with the aliens, Archer defeated the Nellis soldiers, stole their outfits, and found them just as the aliens were leaving. Archer and the drones were able to make a quick escape disguised as the soldiers.
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1. Let's Go to Branson!
After successfully stealing an Air Force Base plane, Pam and Krieger were still visibly shaken by their experience with the aliens. Archer was drunk, so he suggested they take their trip to Branson, Missouri after all. Cheryl showed her excitement with her new catchphrase, "Swearsies Realsies" as the gang partied on the plane.
Archer airs Thursdays at 10/9c on FX.