Updated May 6, 2020 11.1K votes 1.6K voters 47.7K views
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Vote up the fan theories that help shed light on Archer's secrets.
Archer is one of the funniest animated shows on television and deserves every bit of fandom it gets. With that fandom comes a big following of people who don't just watch the show, but have some pretty good ideas about its secrets. Theories like the mystery of Archer's father, if he even has one, and the world of the show (did Kennedy ever get shot?) have been addressed by fans on Reddit and elsewhere. Thanks to these diligent fans, there are lots of theories about Archer that just might explain everything.
Below you will find some of the best Archer fan theories to consider and debunk. You'll have to decide for yourself which ones could be validated in future seasons of the show and which ones don't hold up. If you want more entertainment to theorize and obssess over, you can also check out more shows like Archer.
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513 VOTES
Cyril Always Knew ISIS Was A Fraudulent Spy Network
Cyril always knew ISIS was a fraudulent spy agency, according to Redditor HarlequinWasTaken. Being an accountant and lawyer, Cyril had access to ISIS financial information and knew what laws he'd be able to skirt by and loopholes to use to keep the company running. This is why he had a minimal reaction when ISIS was outed as an illegitimate agency by the FBI at the start of season five.
Redditor always_absent thinks each main character represents one of the Seven Deadly Sins. Sterling represents Pride given his constant boasting and desire to be above everyone else. Cyril's sex addiction paints him as Lust. Cheryl is Sloth given her reluctance to do anything and being a bored socialite. Ray represents Envy as he express jealousy at not being team leader in most spy missions... also he envies everyone else's use of their natural legs. Pam is a Glutton based on her eating something in almost every episode. Lana is Wrath given her high temper and anger at her coworkers. Malory is Greed due to her constantly being concerned about wealth to the point that she wanted to steal an atomic bomb and ransom it back to the U.S. government.
761 votes
3
525 VOTES
ISIS Is Broke Thanks to an Amazing Healthcare Plan
Ever wonder why ISIS was always strapped for cash from Season 2 onward? Tmotty on Reddit found out why: the amazing healthcare plan.
When Malory was incapcitated during the season 1 episode, "Training Day," Pam and Cheryl rewrote the ISIS healthcare plan to have a $0 co-pay and a $0 deductible. With all the on-the-job injuries that ISIS members incur due to missions or random attacks (especially to Brett, the bullet sponge), it's no wonder that the company is broke. They keep footing 100% of all the medical bills.
Sterling's code name, "Duchess," is one of the many reasons why he openly resents his mother. But is his anger misplaced?
Redditor IAmBirdPerson believes that Sterling's code name of "Duchess" isn't because of Malory's dog, but because it was Malory's old code name when she was spy for the OSS. This theory holds some weight since Malory is determined to leave a legacy. After all, Sterling's middle name is Malory and Ms. Archer consistently hounds Lana to add "Malory" to baby AJ's name. The name "Duchess" is already legendary within the espionage community, so why not give her son that mantle so it can live on?
499 votes
5
501 VOTES
Archer Takes Place in a World Where JFK Was Never Shot
Archer fan Dan Whitley shared this theory on his blog that argues the show takes place in a world where John F. Kennedy didn't die and served eight years as President of the United States. He goes on to further explain why the show has such anachronistic elements, such as old computers mixed in with cell phones along with the existence of agencies like ISIS and ODIN. The idea is basically that the Cold War never ended and it hindered some progress.
Redditor cif3141 believes Archer's behavior is due to Asperger's Syndrome. This not only explains Archer's inability to read certain social situations and emotional outbursts, but also Archer's hidden genius. Sterling is an avid reader, as you know since the show has lots of literary references, so this affliction can explain his literary memory. This can also explain Archer's highly efficient spying skills despite his lack of proficiency in other areas.
That or he's just an assh*le. A very smart, proficient assh*le.
