For three years Archer has been playing make believe and testing the audience’s limits of just how long they can go without addressing Archer’s coma, but it’s finally happened. The wait is over and Archer is finally ready to get back to the basics.

This all comes on the heels of the very successful season of Archer: 1999 that did a ton with their new space motif. This season featured many fantastical adventures that allowed the show to have so much fun. The season’s finale, “Robert De Niro” not only sees Archer on trial for his violent actions against Lana, but Barry-6 leads an alien ambush onto the M/V Seamus to take everyone down. It’s a satisfying ending to this season of stories, but in many ways it reflects the sins of Archer’s past (especially against Barry) and how his subconscious has been trying to work through this for the past three years.

further reading: Archer Season 10 Review

“Robert De Niro” once more cleanses the palate, but for good this time as it gets Archer out of his come and returns to the prime timeline for a confirmed season eleven. Continuing with our writers’ room walkthrough of the show’s season, we touch base with Archer: 1999’s executive producer, Casey Willis, to explore the highlights of a season in space, alternative endings, and the importance of Archer’s bond with Malory.