Why Aisha Tyler Doesn't Think Lana And Archer Are Capable Of A Normal Family Dynamic

"Archer" fans are celebrating the series' return, as the first episode of Season 13 premiered on August 24, 2022. The FX animated comedy centers on the wild and comedic escapades of spy Sterling Archer (H. Jon Benjamin) and his skilled yet brazen co-workers at the International Secret Intelligence Service (ISIS). Besides a stacked, talented cast that included the late Jessica Walter as Sterling's overbearing mother and former boss of the agency Malory Archer, the show has remained a consistent hits thanks to its witty writing, an incredible amount of action, and comedic character dynamics. It's the latter area where "Archer" truly shines, especially with scenes featuring Archer and his agent, ex, Lana (Aisha Tyler).

Throughout the series, the two characters have humorously pushed each other's buttons numerous times, often ending with sharp-tongued tirades or funny scene-stealing punchlines. But following the birth of their daughter, A.J., the two have had to also deal with co-parenting. Just don't expect the image of Archer and Lana together with A.J. behind an idyllic picket fence. Tyler has some bittersweet news for those thinking Lana and Archer would have a productive relationship for the sake of their daughter.

During an interview with Screen Rant, Aisha Tyler noted that she doesn't think Archer and Lana will ever reach a typical family dynamic. On the surface, that makes sense, as any normalcy is probably forever thrown out the window in the espionage world. In addition, Lana and Archer haven't had a regular co-parenting experience. A.J. has gone much of the series without explicitly knowing that Archer is her biological father. Yet, Tyler provided deeper insight into Archer and Lana as characters and explained why their strange dynamic might never change. "There is a real deep love there, but I don't think that they anticipate or would ever really be able to maintain any kind of normal, stable adult relationship with each other," Tyler told Screen Rant. "He's too much of a ding-dong, and quite honestly, she's too driven, I don't really think she would want it as a kind of a normalized relationship, either."

So far, Season 13 has shown that Tyler is correct in her breakdown with Archer and Lana, but it's also displayed the two at least reaching a new level in their co-parenting and care for one another. In the "Big Con," Archer surprisingly gives Lana some sound advice on texting A.J. about how much she loves her and how proud she is of her daughter. And at the end of "Saturday," it's hard not to notice the sad face Archer shows when A.J. rushes past him to go hug Lana instead. Perhaps some secret agent family bonding is in order.