​

Spoiler warning: Archer through Season 8.

TL;DR: Woodhouse's gravestone lists five extraordinary British honours: VC, GCB, DSO, DSC, and MC. Most of these would have been impossible to earn as the lance corporal we see in WWI. But combining what Archer tells us about his past with actual British military regulations, I think I've constructed a plausible career explaining all five.

Season 8 evidence: His gravestone names him Arthur Henry Woodhouse, lists VC, GCB, DSO, DSC and MC, and gives his dates as 28 June 1894–9 May 19?? (the final two digits of his death year are obscured). Beneath all that, his description is simply SERVANT.

Service with the Archers: World War II–19??, beginning when Malory hired him after Sterling's birth in Tangier. He raised Sterling and later served as his valet; the exact starting year and final calendar year are unspecified.

In The Double Deuce, we learn that Woodhouse was a Royal Flying Corps lance corporal in 1917, serving as Reggie Thistleton's batman. He earned the Victoria Cross after Reggie's death and was subsequently discharged.

But elsewhere he mentions serving in the King's African Rifles, and we know he spent years sailing through the Orient aboard a merchant schooner.

Here's my theory:

1914–1916 — King's African Rifles: Woodhouse receives a temporary Army commission and serves in East Africa. He earns the Military Cross (MC) and Distinguished Service Order (DSO) as a junior officer.

1916–1917 — Royal Flying Corps: He voluntarily relinquishes his commission to serve his former schoolmate Reggie as his batman. This sounds strange, but T. E. Lawrence later did something remarkably similar, voluntarily returning to enlisted service after being a decorated lieutenant colonel. Woodhouse earns his Victoria Cross (VC) in 1917.

1917–1930s — Merchant Marine and Royal Naval Reserve: After his discharge, Woodhouse sails through the Orient. Like many experienced merchant mariners, he joins the Royal Naval Reserve, eventually becoming a lieutenant commander.

1930s — Confidential service to the Crown: Woodhouse becomes a valet to an important British official or royal figure, gradually taking on intelligence responsibilities. He receives a civil Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) for distinguished service.

1940 — Dunkirk: Recalled to naval service, Woodhouse earns the British Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) during Operation Dynamo. Actual RNR officers received DSCs at Dunkirk. Yes, I took some liberties to force his presence at Dunkirk but couldn't pass up the chance to add it to his legend.

1940–mid-WW2 — Knight Grand Cross: Following continued and exceptionally important service to the Crown after Dunkirk and into WWII, Woodhouse advances past KCB to Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath (GCB). It would have been published in the London Gazette as "For exceptional public service." Due to the extremely sensitive nature of his activities, we may never know what he really did.

Mid-to-late WWII — Tangier: He eventually acquires Reggie's Bar, meets Malory, delivers Sterling, and remains with the Archer family for the rest of his life.

This would make him Lieutenant Commander Sir Arthur Henry Woodhouse, VC, GCB, DSO, DSC, MC, RNR (Retd.).

For comparison to U.S. Military and Civilian Awards: Think of the VC as a Medal of Honor; the proposed gallantry-based DSO as an Army Distinguished Service Cross; and the British DSC and MC as Silver Star-level awards for bravery at sea and on land. The civil GCB is Knight Grand Cross, the Order of the Bath's highest grade, above Knight Commander (KCB). The Presidential Medal of Freedom provides only a rough comparison in prestige; the U.S. has no equivalent rank of knighthood. These are approximate comparisons, since the award systems differ.

Real-life comparisons: Britain's Field Marshal Lord Gort held the VC, GCB, DSO and MC—four of Woodhouse's five honours. America's General Douglas MacArthur held the Medal of Honor, three Distinguished Service Crosses, seven Silver Stars and an honorary GCB. These give a sense of the distinction of Woodhouse's honours. MacArthur's GCB was in the military division; Woodhouse's civil GCB is part of this reconstruction.

It might also explain why Malory trusts him so completely. She could have recognized him as a distinguished British intelligence veteran, rather than merely a bartender and servant. Who else would be trusted to take baby Sterling to the U.S. and raise him for five years after a (presumed) first meeting?

The attached portrait is my reconstruction of Woodhouse around 1950, aged 55–56, in ceremonial Royal Naval Reserve dress with the insignia of a civil GCB and his assessed service medals. Credit goes to Astra for the drawing...after many, many revisions...

Obviously, this is largely speculation and I've taken a few liberties here and there. The five honours are canon, but the circumstances of four of them are not. This timeline is, however, representative of the level of achievement it would take for Woodhouse, or anyone, to achieve those canonical honours.

What I find most interesting is that, despite all those honours—which would have entitled him to be called Sir Arthur—his gravestone identifies him with just one word:

SERVANT.

Maybe that was always how Woodhouse defined himself.

I found it pretty silly how the show was forced to drop their name ISIS (International Secret Intelligence Services) because of the rise of the real life jihadi ISIS (Islamic State of Islam and Syria) it’s not funny because the real life isis are literally terrorists but that’s just wild right?

Not an Archer sequel, but it looks like Reed is at it again with a new show.

In "Drastic Voyage: Part 1" (S6E12), the female scientist leading the shrinkage effort is introduced by Agent Holly as "Dr. Sklodowska", to which she immediately says, "It's 'Sklodowska'", with the exact same pronunciation. Holly says, "What did I say?", and Dr. Sklodowska replies, "I don't know...something else."

After years of watching and re-watching this series, catching things on the 30th viewing that I did not see previously, I said to myself, "Self, there is probably a hidden reference there."

And, my self was right!

Googled it...Sklodowska is Marie Curie's maiden name. Hidden reference to how hard it is to be a woman in STEM...can't even go by your own name...you have to use your husband's name, who was HER LAB ASSISTANT.

Big ups, Adam. You da man, and man enough to recognize women can be just as badass, or even more so.

Holy crap!

It just occurred to me that there is not a non-badass woman in the series.

Mallory - Enough said

Lana - Enough said

Pam - Enough said

Cheryl - Maybe at first she seems squirrely and unstable, but she is a billionaire that grew up with a silver spoon, yet took a low-paying job and nobody knew for years that she was wealthy. Then she became America's #1 country singer and, let's face it, she is the only reason the gang stayed together after the FBI shut Isis down by letting everyone stay in her house. Plus, c'mon, mental instability aside, you know you would hit that.

I mean, even Trinette is a badass.

Gawd, I love this show.

If yes, whom would you like the show to be based on? Or would you prefer it be the same? I would love for it to be based on different characters from the show!

If no, do you think it was a good ending to the show?

I think archer’s most human moment is in s12 ep8 when he comes home to find lana crying on his bed after she found that asshole Robert cheating on her and he just sits beside her and comforts her

My wife’s cat (ours, just from before we got together) will bolt into the room when she hears the sounds of HULU and FX starting up, and then will not accept any interruptions during the theme/intro. She bobs and weaves her head to see the animated ball. It’s very cute, though. Do we have the one oddball?

Did anyone ever like Robert from the moment he appeared? He always gave a condescending air about himself. The fact he was on at least his fourth marriage and one was “missing on safari” gives a clear indication that he went through a few people and his divorce from lana was ridiculous. He had no legal claim to custody of aj due to being her stepfather. Also he complained about spending 20 million on the agency but that amount is a drop in the ocean to him. It wouldn’t shock me if he was a loose caricature of trump.

There is a scene when 4 of the gang (1 including the newer Zara) are escaping an about to blow up facility while strapped to rolling desk chairs. The building blows up as Lana, Cyril, Cheryl and Krieger arrive in a boat. Lana points and says “Look”. She says this before even seeing the gang escape. The door opens and you see them AFTER she says “look”! Like, really? REALLY?

What’s your favourite obscure food in the series? Mine’s chuy from dreamland

In S06E06 "Sitting*.

How fast is that gun draw at 7:16?!

Open hand by his thigh.

Next frame, hand hidden by Archers bar.

Next frame, silencer level with Archer's necktie...

Sorry for random nothing, but holy crap that's a quick draw. Especially for an improv actor...

In the sense that in the early seasons pam was someone that people didn't really wanna date or screw.

I think maybe it was around the time pam and archer fooled around so maybe it buffed her confidence but I wander if there was an actual reason for it or did it just happen naturaly in the writers room

Didn’t think about it til now and don’t think it’s mentioned, but did they use Conway Stern’s hand for Ray’s replacement?

And I be thinking of you the whole time we is makin love, I mean your voice and then the body of the cartoon from archer.

I’ve been struggling with major depression since I was a teenager. When I’m at my lowest, I can’t enjoy anything that I usually enjoy (food, sports, other shows etc, nothing feels worthwhile) - except for this show.

There is something magical about this show that is able to pull me up and laugh, and feel somewhat normal when I’m at my worst. I’ve seen every episode dozens of times and never get tired of it.

This is definitely an odd quirk, but I was wondering if anyone else can relate? :)

1-4 wow amazing, 5 great, 6-7 kinda not in love with. Are seasons 8+ gonna get better?

Just finished rewatching the series... twice

and it's reignited my obsession with the series and has gotten me back to wishing we had more, either a poster series or even set during other seasons

even found my old fan script I did in high school

So to satisfy my craving for more im asking here

so if you got em, share em

Please and Thank You

The first 3 pics were the original. I added the last 2.

Turns out:

The Archer and blue post it were from 3 years ago. A guy whose still here drew the ant randomly. A Redditor suggested the 4th pic.