These last two seasons of Archer really displayed the "Creator Vs. Audience" dynamic for me. Archer, at the time, was a show that was 4 seasons deep. Full of inside jokes, very realized characters and development that defined them and the world that they lived in. Adam Reed wanted a departure from the norm. He wanted to be creative. I followed because that is a core tenet of being the "audience". I (we) do not get to dictate the direction of art. I (we) do not get a say in how it will be created and or delivered.
As a fan of Archer, I saw Archer Vice as something that immediately made me unsure. My beloved misfit team of spies were becoming drug dealers? Not something that I was at all interested in but Archer had not let me down since. Straight up, the season was a poorly constructed road full of potholes. Those potholes ruined the view, beautiful as it may have been. I really couldn't understand how a show that "works" was suddenly made not to work in spectacular fashion. These characters that I had grown to love changed in ways that made them of lesser worth.
Then this season was announced as a "return to form". Look no further than the first three episodes. They were almost 1 for 1 mirrors of episodes from earlier seasons. A snow episode, a Conway Stern (his real name) episode and a rescue mission episode. I noticed this but didn't care because as a member of the audience, I was satiated. I could see that as the "Creator", this was an obvious retread to gain back stock that was lost earlier. It must hurt to want to be creative while piloting a ship with a visible formula.
I should want to be challenged. I'll even state that I want to be challenged. However, is that the truth? Do I really want creators to be "free"? Do I want them to flip the script as many times as they can every time that they can so that they can fulfill their needs? Not really. I crave familiarity. My favorite song is my favorite song because it never changes. I would rather see what I've already seen done differently tantamount to being tricked. That's not being creative in the least. I love Archer because I know he'll mess up and still come out on top. I love Barry because I know he'll never kill Archer but will always try. I love Mallory because I know she'll always love her son and show it in the most terrible ways. I love Cheryl because I know she's a delusional barely hinged psychopath that always delivers. I don't want change per se. Did I ever?
This season of Archer has been spectacular. I believe there was maybe one episode that I didn't care for but honestly, I cannot even recall it at this time. It's great to see these people get back to basics. After 75 episodes, what was proven is that formulas work. The previous season's stench was removed gloriously and I just wanted to say, welcome back Mr. Archer. It's nice to see you.