Archer: Danger Island: A Discovery
June 14, 2018 8:01 AM - Season 9, Episode 8 - Subscribe
Archer and the gang enter a deadly temple in search of an even deadlier treasure. [Season finale, but not the end of the show]
Archer burns down Danger Island, making way for its biggest, strangest fantasy yet (William Hughes for TV/A.V. Club)
Related/see also: Adam Reed talks leaving Archer, going to Applebees, and firing his characters into space (William Hughes for TV/A.V. Club)
Archer burns down Danger Island, making way for its biggest, strangest fantasy yet (William Hughes for TV/A.V. Club)
Related/see also: Adam Reed talks leaving Archer, going to Applebees, and firing his characters into space (William Hughes for TV/A.V. Club)
I was not really into much of this season because I got to episode 5 or 6 and realized the characters were just nonstop blabbering and I had no idea what they were talking about and I was bored and annoyed. Then I watched it all the way through because the full season showed up in my DVR and I realized I missed a couple of very important scenes early on that set up the actual plot! And after that it was a very fun little jaunt.
posted by bleep at 9:53 AM on June 14, 2018
posted by bleep at 9:53 AM on June 14, 2018
If the next season is Archer in Space, I want some Archer Shepard jokes.
It's totally going to be Archer: Alien. They even have a Mother !
posted by Pendragon at 12:31 PM on June 14, 2018 [3 favorites]
It's totally going to be Archer: Alien. They even have a Mother !
posted by Pendragon at 12:31 PM on June 14, 2018 [3 favorites]
It makes sense the idol is made from uranium, since the Nazis were so interested in getting it, but I also have my questions on how many carvers died making it.
None, probably. Uranium is weakly radioactive, it decays very slowly and emits alpha particles which are stopped by a few centimeters of air or the layer of dead skin cells on the outside of the body. The greater hazard would be heavy metal poisoning from ingestion and/or inhalation, but even then uranium is not especially dangerous. The data is limited, but there has never been a death attributable to uranium poisoning in humans; lead is far more dangerous for both acute and chronic toxicity. For perspective, Marie Curie processed literal tons of uranium ore by hand (crushing it, then chemical treatment) in her poorly ventilated lab with no radiation safety protocols and it wasn't the uranium that killed her, it was decades of exposure to gamma and x-rays from more dangerous elements. On the other hand, uranium mining is dangerous work (think black lung but with radioactive particulate), but I'm guessing the Mua Mua's lack of industrial technology like pneumatic drills, dynamite, or even electric light would make their progress so slow that it would lead to a safer process (less time underground, less dust and radon exposure).
Also, Fuchs bringing a shit ton of uranium home to Hitler would be sorta meaningless. The nazis had plenty of uranium, there were uranium producing mines in present day Germany, Austria, Poland, and the Czech Republic all under nazi control in 1939. The Germans were especially rich in uranium ore from the Joachimsthal mines (famous for the origin of the word "dollar"), German chemist Martin Klaproth discovered uranium in ore from Joachimsthal and Curie used it to isolate radium and polonium. By the 1930's radium was a globally traded commodity; tons of uranium ore are required to extract a gram of radium leaving behind tons of uranium as a waste product with no great value or industrial use besides pigment for glazes and glass. That is until nuclear fission was understood in 1939, but even that was just a theory for a couple more years. Besides, highly enriched uranium is needed for a bomb or power plant, neither the nazis nor the Mua Mua had the technical ability to produce it.
tl;dr: the uranium idol wouldn't be particularly dangerous, nor would it be a particularly valuable strategic asset in 1939.
posted by peeedro at 3:26 PM on June 14, 2018 [10 favorites]
None, probably. Uranium is weakly radioactive, it decays very slowly and emits alpha particles which are stopped by a few centimeters of air or the layer of dead skin cells on the outside of the body. The greater hazard would be heavy metal poisoning from ingestion and/or inhalation, but even then uranium is not especially dangerous. The data is limited, but there has never been a death attributable to uranium poisoning in humans; lead is far more dangerous for both acute and chronic toxicity. For perspective, Marie Curie processed literal tons of uranium ore by hand (crushing it, then chemical treatment) in her poorly ventilated lab with no radiation safety protocols and it wasn't the uranium that killed her, it was decades of exposure to gamma and x-rays from more dangerous elements. On the other hand, uranium mining is dangerous work (think black lung but with radioactive particulate), but I'm guessing the Mua Mua's lack of industrial technology like pneumatic drills, dynamite, or even electric light would make their progress so slow that it would lead to a safer process (less time underground, less dust and radon exposure).
Also, Fuchs bringing a shit ton of uranium home to Hitler would be sorta meaningless. The nazis had plenty of uranium, there were uranium producing mines in present day Germany, Austria, Poland, and the Czech Republic all under nazi control in 1939. The Germans were especially rich in uranium ore from the Joachimsthal mines (famous for the origin of the word "dollar"), German chemist Martin Klaproth discovered uranium in ore from Joachimsthal and Curie used it to isolate radium and polonium. By the 1930's radium was a globally traded commodity; tons of uranium ore are required to extract a gram of radium leaving behind tons of uranium as a waste product with no great value or industrial use besides pigment for glazes and glass. That is until nuclear fission was understood in 1939, but even that was just a theory for a couple more years. Besides, highly enriched uranium is needed for a bomb or power plant, neither the nazis nor the Mua Mua had the technical ability to produce it.
tl;dr: the uranium idol wouldn't be particularly dangerous, nor would it be a particularly valuable strategic asset in 1939.
posted by peeedro at 3:26 PM on June 14, 2018 [10 favorites]
It's totally going to be Archer: Alien. They even have a Mother !
Yep, and I'm going to be awaiting for the "nuke it from orbit" reference.
Archer's last line about a snow globe: was that a reference to the ending of St. Elsewhere?
posted by fuse theorem at 5:15 PM on June 14, 2018 [3 favorites]
Yep, and I'm going to be awaiting for the "nuke it from orbit" reference.
Archer's last line about a snow globe: was that a reference to the ending of St. Elsewhere?
posted by fuse theorem at 5:15 PM on June 14, 2018 [3 favorites]
tl;dr: the uranium idol wouldn't be particularly dangerous, nor would it be a particularly valuable strategic asset in 1939.
Ignoring this is cartoon uranium, I see.
posted by lmfsilva at 6:30 PM on June 14, 2018 [5 favorites]
Ignoring this is cartoon uranium, I see.
posted by lmfsilva at 6:30 PM on June 14, 2018 [5 favorites]
Well, I didn't mention the green glow was a little suspect.
posted by peeedro at 6:48 PM on June 14, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by peeedro at 6:48 PM on June 14, 2018 [1 favorite]
tl;dr: the uranium idol wouldn't be particularly dangerous, nor would it be a particularly valuable strategic asset in 1939.
Okay, but that still works. It just means Cyril is useless (checks out).
I am slightly concerned that my knowledge of the Alien franchise is not up to the challenge of next season's setting.
posted by grandiloquiet at 8:19 PM on June 14, 2018
Okay, but that still works. It just means Cyril is useless (checks out).
I am slightly concerned that my knowledge of the Alien franchise is not up to the challenge of next season's setting.
posted by grandiloquiet at 8:19 PM on June 14, 2018
You've got time, rent the Alien series. Well, the first 3 films anyhow. Don't subject yourself to the later dreck, it's not worth it for the tradeoff of catching a really obtuse reference if they end up calling back to, idk, Alien vs. Predator.
posted by axiom at 9:07 PM on June 14, 2018
posted by axiom at 9:07 PM on June 14, 2018
The first two are essencial late 70s/80s sci-fi horror. Those that came after (3, Resurrection, Prometheus, and I still haven't seen it but Convenant should fit in), read their plot summaries.
posted by lmfsilva at 2:17 AM on June 15, 2018 [1 favorite]
posted by lmfsilva at 2:17 AM on June 15, 2018 [1 favorite]
What does Mallory say that sounds like Kel Shak?
I'm assuming it's French "Quelle Shac" or something?
But apparently, my goa'uld is better than my French these days.
posted by Just this guy, y'know at 7:19 AM on June 15, 2018 [1 favorite]
I'm assuming it's French "Quelle Shac" or something?
But apparently, my goa'uld is better than my French these days.
posted by Just this guy, y'know at 7:19 AM on June 15, 2018 [1 favorite]
When I heard the thrush remark, I thought "That can't possibly be a Hobbit reference." But it was! Then it kept going! Episode, for me, made. And since we're nitpicking: the dragon's name is not pronounced like "smog" but rather "smowg" as in "Ow! Smaug burned me!" (LOTR Appendix E, "Writing and Spelling", specif. I, "Pronunciation of Words and Names")
On preview: I think Malory was speaking Franglais: "Qu'elle shock" i.e. "What a shock" (cf. qu'elle surprise!)
posted by The Nutmeg of Consolation at 7:26 AM on June 15, 2018 [5 favorites]
On preview: I think Malory was speaking Franglais: "Qu'elle shock" i.e. "What a shock" (cf. qu'elle surprise!)
posted by The Nutmeg of Consolation at 7:26 AM on June 15, 2018 [5 favorites]
I...actually saw, and did not hate Prometheus. (I'm a sucker for IMAX and Peter O'Toole.) I regret that it is so widely loathed, if only because it lessens the odds that we'll get a shock appearance from the older members of the Tunt family.
posted by grandiloquiet at 7:32 AM on June 15, 2018
posted by grandiloquiet at 7:32 AM on June 15, 2018
Official And Certified 100% True Guide To Alien Movies For Archer Purposes
Alien: Required. For all human beings everywhere.
Aliens: Not everyone's cup of tea because of the tonal break with Alien, but still required because Sterling Archer surely loves this movie so it will surely be referenced.
Alien3: Probably not required for Archer purposes but the group cut of the movie is still required because it's so good and just the darkest thing
Resurrection: Not required for any purposes but not actively disrecommended. Important if you watch it: the basketball shot was real.
Alien v Predator: Not required for Archer purposes but, like a lot of Paul WS Anderson movies, is basically a good solid B-movie but with way more general give-a-shit-ness than is required. Also good for watching insofar as Our Hero is a black woman and nobody but nobody ever brings it up or treats it as notable or ever deals with her in any way except to respect her authoritah.
AvP Requiem: actively disrecommended. Really not even a solid B-movie.
Prometheus and Covenant: mostly garbage though you if you're drunk and squint at them you can sort of see the good movies someone else might have made with the basic bones of what's going on. Prometheus is sort of interesting as a failed experiment.
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace at 8:07 AM on June 15, 2018 [1 favorite]
Alien: Required. For all human beings everywhere.
Aliens: Not everyone's cup of tea because of the tonal break with Alien, but still required because Sterling Archer surely loves this movie so it will surely be referenced.
Alien3: Probably not required for Archer purposes but the group cut of the movie is still required because it's so good and just the darkest thing
Resurrection: Not required for any purposes but not actively disrecommended. Important if you watch it: the basketball shot was real.
Alien v Predator: Not required for Archer purposes but, like a lot of Paul WS Anderson movies, is basically a good solid B-movie but with way more general give-a-shit-ness than is required. Also good for watching insofar as Our Hero is a black woman and nobody but nobody ever brings it up or treats it as notable or ever deals with her in any way except to respect her authoritah.
AvP Requiem: actively disrecommended. Really not even a solid B-movie.
Prometheus and Covenant: mostly garbage though you if you're drunk and squint at them you can sort of see the good movies someone else might have made with the basic bones of what's going on. Prometheus is sort of interesting as a failed experiment.
posted by GCU Sweet and Full of Grace at 8:07 AM on June 15, 2018 [1 favorite]
What does Mallory say that sounds like Kel Shak?
I'm assuming it's French "Quelle Shac" or something?
But apparently, my goa'uld is better than my French these days.
Quel choc ("What a shock")
GCU Sweet and Full of Grace: Official And Certified 100% True Guide To Alien Movies For Archer Purposes
For the purposes of re-framing your Required Future Viewing To Understand All The Jokes In Archer Season 10: Adam Reed Tells Us About ‘Archer’s Next Adventure And If Season 10 Is Definitely The End (Jason Tabrys for Uproxx)
posted by filthy light thief at 10:14 AM on June 15, 2018 [3 favorites]
I'm assuming it's French "Quelle Shac" or something?
But apparently, my goa'uld is better than my French these days.
Quel choc ("What a shock")
GCU Sweet and Full of Grace: Official And Certified 100% True Guide To Alien Movies For Archer Purposes
For the purposes of re-framing your Required Future Viewing To Understand All The Jokes In Archer Season 10: Adam Reed Tells Us About ‘Archer’s Next Adventure And If Season 10 Is Definitely The End (Jason Tabrys for Uproxx)
Other films, TV shows, books, comics, anything that you’ve kind of stumbled upon that you’ve pulled from?I'll cut it off there, to leave some mystery and avoid mild spoilers for folks who don't like 'em.
A lot of 70’s sci-fi. Like Aliens, Black Hole, and even some old Atari game covers. The goal is to have it look like a set designer’s version of the future but that set designer lives in 1975. So, some of the set descriptions were like the ship where the keys go “clackity-clack” and there are floppy disks instead of holograms. So, it’s not gonna be this shimmering white, sort of… It’s not Logan’s Run. I’ll say that. It’s more blue collar, I guess. Logan’s Run is weird. Have you seen it?
Not in a long time.
It’s super weird. That was on the list of, you know, “let’s watch some 70s sci-fii to brush up on it.” It’s worth watching just the first 10 minutes because they do establishing shots of the city and it’s all clearly models, like Hot Wheels cars zipping around and hamster trail tubes. Then the scenes where the people start getting raised up toward the roof for their annual purge, the cables are clearly visible. Nobody is bothered by it. You can actually see people walk into other people’s cables. Fantastic.
If they remade that right now and did it the exact same way it would be praised as high art. That’s how it all just comes back around.
Yes. Yeah. And when we see stuff like that it’s like, is there a way we can like, in the cartoon, sort of mimic the low budget sci-fi of the 60s and 70s. But we’ll talk about it for hours and hours and hours and the upshot is always, just, it will look like we don’t know how to draw. So it’s hard to fake badness.
Are we gonna see aliens in this?
posted by filthy light thief at 10:14 AM on June 15, 2018 [3 favorites]
[long uranium comment from peeedro]
I could totally hear Archer saying all this, in one of his patented moments of idiot savant-ness.
posted by Chrysostom at 12:02 PM on June 15, 2018 [3 favorites]
I could totally hear Archer saying all this, in one of his patented moments of idiot savant-ness.
posted by Chrysostom at 12:02 PM on June 15, 2018 [3 favorites]
apparently, my goa'uld is better than my French these days
I love that you made a stargate reference. and that we're debating the lethality of cartoon uranium. metafilter is the best
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 9:32 PM on June 17, 2018 [1 favorite]
I love that you made a stargate reference. and that we're debating the lethality of cartoon uranium. metafilter is the best
posted by 5_13_23_42_69_666 at 9:32 PM on June 17, 2018 [1 favorite]
Finally caught up. That last scene....
That probably wasn't Uranium... that was a metaphysical thing of unknown origin like the little green globe from Heavy Metal. It's all just >< this close.
posted by zengargoyle at 10:41 PM on June 17, 2018
It's death from the beginning to the end of timeI want Moorcock and Elric and Eternal Champion maybe in a Thundar the Barbarian setting crossed with Space Dandy or some other metaverse thing that brings the same entities back and back and back and over and over until some cosmic truth is revealed.
And I'm the cosmic champion and I hold a mystic sign
And the whole world's dying and the burden's mine
And the black sword keeps on killing 'til the end of time.
That probably wasn't Uranium... that was a metaphysical thing of unknown origin like the little green globe from Heavy Metal. It's all just >< this close.
posted by zengargoyle at 10:41 PM on June 17, 2018
Presumably it was that exoskeleton thing that inspired the shift. I don't remember, was there similar foreshadowing at the end of the last season?
Am I just going to watch the whole season waiting to find out who says "Get away from her, you bitch!"?
I suppose I have a year to wait before I find out, don't I?
posted by Grangousier at 4:14 PM on June 19, 2018 [2 favorites]
Am I just going to watch the whole season waiting to find out who says "Get away from her, you bitch!"?
I suppose I have a year to wait before I find out, don't I?
posted by Grangousier at 4:14 PM on June 19, 2018 [2 favorites]
Adam Reed Tells Us About ‘Archer’s Next Adventure And If Season 10 Is Definitely The End
Oh for the love of...
it's defused. Not diffused.
So Hulu put up Season 9. It passed the time. I am more excited about Archer: Alien than I am about any of the non-Archer Prime seasons.
posted by Monochrome at 7:03 PM on March 3, 2019
Oh for the love of...
it's defused. Not diffused.
So Hulu put up Season 9. It passed the time. I am more excited about Archer: Alien than I am about any of the non-Archer Prime seasons.
posted by Monochrome at 7:03 PM on March 3, 2019
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If the next season is Archer in Space, I want some Archer Shepard jokes.
posted by lmfsilva at 8:40 AM on June 14, 2018