Archer - 14x08 - Breaking Fabian- Followmy.tv

This "series finale" is very of a piece with a season containing an odd mix of back-to-basics formula episodes and upheavals to the status quo by introducing a new character and having old ones begin to actually interrogate the morality of wetwork. In this installment, the formula: group has to involve an old nemesis in a mission that goes sideways. And the inversion: new hyper-competent character Zara is the drunken screwup for the first time, and Lana and Cyril are ambushed with a UN hearing to close them down. (Having to defend their heinous actions over the long-running series in a courtroom—a way of mimicking the Seinfeld finale?)

It's in the top half for the season, but still feels like a down note for the capper to a long running series. Especially with the cliffhanger ending teasing that all private spy agencies like the Agency will be forced to close in 30 days. Mixed feelings as a finale...except, it's not the season finale. After it aired a 3-part finale episode was announced.

Maybe that 3-part finale will rule. Archer has worked in that format before, with the Heart of Archness 3-parter that began season 3. Still, the bait-and-switch retroactively makes the flaws of season 14 seem a symptom of having to both spin wheels for eight episodes while setting up plot lines for a 3-part finale. The final full season suffers as a result of being produced this way, so I hope the true finale is worth it.