Strange Doings In The Taboo Groves

Series Information

Series

Archer

Season No.

9

Episode Information

Episode No.

5

Original Air Date

May 23, 2018

Written by

Adam Reed & Mike Arnold

Directed by

Megan Johnson

Production Code

XAR09005

U.S. Viewership (Millions)

0.33

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"Danger Island: Strange Doings in the Taboo Groves" is the fifth episode of Season 9, and the ninety-eighth episode overall.

Plot[]

Synopsis[]

"But there is no joy in Mudville - mighty Pam has struck out."^[1]

Summary[]

Cast[]

Starring :
- H. Jon Benjamin as Sterling Archer / Archer (Dream Persona)
- Judy Greer as Cheryl Tunt / Charlotte Stratton (Dream Persona)
- Amber Nash as Pam Poovey / Pam Poovey (Dream Persona)
- Chris Parnell as Cyril Figgis / Siegbert Fuchs (Dream Persona)
- Aisha Tyler as Lana Kane / Princess Lanaluakalani (Dream Persona)
- Lucky Yates as Dr. Krieger / Crackers (Dream Persona)
- Jessica Walter as Malory Archer / Malory Archer (Dream Persona)

Co-Starring :
- Adam Reed as Ray Gillette / Capitaine Reynaud (Dream Persona)

Cultural References[]

86'd (AT-6'd): Term meaning to leave in a hurry. Origin was from the New York City prohibition bar whose back door was at 86 Bedford Street. When police raided through the front door, the patrons would escape through the back door, thus "86ing". It was used previously in "Dial M for Mother" when Archer is kicked out of the bar into the rain.
Dead Man's Cove: A sea cave located on the fictional island of Isla Tesoro in the original Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disney Land, established in 1967. The ride was the inspiration for the movie of the same name.
Hendrik Hondius I (1573-1650): The "obscure reference to a famous cartographer" goes to this Flemish-born cartographer, engraver and publisher.
V8 (est 1933): A tomato-based vegetable beverage containing eight vegetables
King Leopold II (1835-1909): When Malory sarcastically refers to her 'breakfast' for Charlotte as a 'King Leopold' she is most likely referring to this Belgian king (responsible for the exploitation of the Congo Free State) as his exploits are what inspired the story the 'Heart of Darkness,' which in turn inspired the Heart of Archness trilogy in season 3 of Archer, and which Danger Island is a callback to.
- It could be referring to King Leopold III, who would be the reigning King of Belgium in 1938, the time period Danger Island is set. (Arguably anachronisms are less important than self-reference in this season).
Belgian Endive: A member of the dandelion family, this cultivated chicory is known as 'white leaf' or 'white gold', and held in high esteem for its flavor.
Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894): The Scottish novelist famous for:
- Treasure Island (1883): Had an enormous influence on "popular perceptions of pirates, including such elements as treasure maps marked with an "X", schooners, the Black Spot, tropical islands, and one-legged seamen bearing parrots on their shoulders".
- Weir of Hermiston (unfinished): Cut short by his death, this novel is less well known than Treasure Island, but was praised as having the potential for a masterpiece.
Quicksand: Is a common trope^[2] in popular culture.^[3]
Elisha Otis: When explaining to Pam how to use a pulley system to get him out of Quicksand, Archer refers to the founder of the elevator company.

Running Gags[]

Holy shitsnacks!
Drunken Charlotte
Extravagent tastes - endives and oysters
Masculine Pam
Mercenary Malory - all about the money
Overpacked Malory - never under-prepared
Foreign Swearing
World's Worst Map
Whenever!
Unmarried Couple - Archer and Pam

Continuity[]

Reality (Non-Dream):
- None
Dream / Reality Crossover:
- (Dream) Charlotte threatens to burn down the Hotel Lotus / (Reality) Cheryl is an arsonist.
- (Dream) Archer blames Pam for all of his problems / (Reality) Archer never accepts responsibility for any of his mistakes/problems.
- (Dream) Malory has a big painting of 'Duchess' on her office wall / (Reality) Malory's office wall has a painting of her dog 'Duchess' on the wall.
- (Dream) A stuffed ocelot can be seen in the bar / (Reality) Cheryl famously has a pet ocelot called Babou.
Dream (Non-Reality):
- Pam continues to show her emotional side, becoming upset when presumed to be manly or insensitive.
- Malory continues to seek financial gain at whatever cost.
- Charlotte has the German soldiers entranced, with them referring to her as the 'crazy coconut lady'.
- Reynaud resumes driving duties.
- Doudou stays silent.
- Archer expresses a deep yearning to get away from his Mother (which seems to be the first time in a while).

Trivia[]

Danger Island: Strange Doings in the Taboo Groves was co-written by Adam Reed & Mike Arnold.
- This is the fourth Archer episode to be co-written by Adam Reed & Mike Arnold.
- The last episode to have a co-writer was Achub Y Morfilod (s6e11), also Mike Arnold.
- This is the twelfth episode of the overall series to be co-written by Adam Reed and another writer.
The package Archer was supposed to deliver that's sitting on Malory's desk is addressed to "Peggy Deadlegs".
The German soldiers are all carrying MP38 submachine guns, but all of them are wearing k98 Mauser ammunition pouches or British P1903 bandoliers, instead of the correct magazine pouches.
Pam's utility belt suddenly disappears while she is preparing to save Archer from the quicksand.