Ep 3. Jane Doe

In season 8 episode 3 of Archer, titled "Jane Doe", the hard-drinking, womanizing secret agent Archer is back after a seven-year coma induced by a mystery assailant and now he's in the midst of a 1940s detective-inspired dreamworld. With the help of his ragtag group of fellow 1940s gumshoes, including his commanding officer Woodhouse and his former love interest Lana, Archer must solve a new case even as he begins to uncover the secrets of his coma.

Jane Doe sees the return of Archer to his detective world, which is no less dangerous. The episode begins with a body found floating in the harbor, branded with some sort of horrific symbol. The woman is completely unidentifiable, hence the name "Jane Doe", and the police are baffled. Archer, on the other hand, does not believe it is an impossible case and is determined to solve it.

Archer's ingenuity comes to the fore as he picks up on several clues that the police have overlooked, taking the investigation in a different direction than the cops have previously explored. The detective agency is set abuzz when a woman claiming to be Jane Doe shows up, only for her story to quickly unravel. Jane Doe's arrival only leads to a series of twists and turns filled with barrel-chested women, shadowy underworlds, and more.

Meanwhile, the tension between the detective agency and the police department is growing to a boiling point with the detectives certain that the police are hiding information that could be beneficial to the case. Archer continues to ricochet between determined investigation, shattered self-awareness, and the occasional flirtatious exchange with his colleagues.

Throughout the episode, we see Archer's hallucinations becoming more frequent, and increasingly crisscrossing his 1940s world with his past in his normal life. For example, in one scene Archer's dreamland takes him to a bar where he finds himself with his old flame, Veronica Deane, who had previously betrayed him. In another, Archer's mother, Malory, makes a cameo appearance, but only in Archer's mind. We also meet his friend, Guenther, who is a man of few words but plays an important role in this particular investigation.

As the pressure builds, the twists and turns come faster and stranger, and Archer's grip on reality becomes shakier and shakier. The plot thickens to the point of absurdity as Archer races against time, with the hopes of solving the mystery at the heart of the case and ending his hallucinations. Jane Doe is an episode that is sure to keep viewers on the edge of their seats with its unique blend of noir-style detective work, surreal dream logic, and comedic hijinks.

In the end, the episode leaves the audience with a cliff-hanger that will make them yearn for more. All in all, Archer's return to the small screen in "Jane Doe" proves the show is still going strong, mixing comedy with a thrilling plot to create a unique viewing experience. With more episodes like this, it is no wonder Archer has continued to remain popular with fans who love a little paranoia mixed in with their humor.