Following a peculiar break for the Olympics, Archer returns with a fun episode full of Smokey and the Bandit references. Archer, Lana, Cyril, Pam, Cherlene and Malory drive to Texas in a bus and a blocker car for Cherlene to sing on Travis County Limits. Oh, and Archer has a bunch of cocaine stashed in the trunk that nobody else knows about.
For the first time since the season premiere, “Southbound and Down” gives us an episode in which the cocaine takes somewhat of a back seat in favor of something bigger. Not only is the episode more about getting Cherlene to her destination, but it also features some of the heaviest character development of the season.
Sterling Archer has spent the first few seasons of the series showing little vulnerability or compassion for others. He was often unable, or at least unwilling, to reveal how he truly felt. Here, we see him caring about Lana’s safety, accidentally overhearing his mother tell Lana and Cyril that he’s a failure, and telling Pam (a woman!) that he liked her more when she was overweight. Yes, I’m really talking about Archer. Pam follows suit, taking a break from her incessant cocaine addiction to open up to Archer about her reasons for enjoying her current life—namely, being hot “as balls”.
There’s a lot of Archer/Pam focus this week as they ride in the blocker car, and their characters have palpable chemistry. Archer even spares Pam at the end by taking the blame for everything. Oh, how he has grown.