Wikia

Space Race: Part I
	Archer
	<img alt="Spaceracei" src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIABAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAEALAAAAAABAAEAQAICTAEAOw%3D%3D" width="233" height="131" data-image-name="Spaceracei.png" data-image-key="Spaceracei.png" data-src="http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120316031459/archer/images/thumb/a/a1/Spaceracei.png/233px-Spaceracei.png" class="lzy lzyPlcHld" onload="if(typeof ImgLzy=="object"){ImgLzy.load(this)}" /><noscript><img alt="Spaceracei" src="http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20120316031459/archer/images/thumb/a/a1/Spaceracei.png/233px-Spaceracei.png" width="233" height="131" data-image-name="Spaceracei.png" data-image-key="Spaceracei.png" />
Episode no.	Season 3; Episode 12
Written by	Adam Reed
Production code	XAR03012
Original air date	March 15, 2012
Episode guide
← Previous	Next →
Skin Game	Space Race: Part II

"Space Race: Part I" is the twelfth episode of the third season of Archer. It is the first half of a two-part season finale of the third season of the animated comedy series Archer. It was initially broadcast in the United States on FX on March 16, 2012. In the installment, Commander Anthony Drake (Bryan Cranston) of ISA urges the field agents of ISIS to travels onto the spacecraft Horizon to aid in ceasing any attacks. After entering and defeating the resistant "mutineers", the field agents are eventually kidnapped by Drake and his aggregation, whose real objective is to colonize and populate the humans on Mars.

"Space Race", which was written and directed by series creator Adam Reed, is a parody of the 1979 spy film Moonraker, the eleventh film of the James Bond cinema franchise. Additionally, the episode is instilled with multiple references to science fiction cinema, including the 1986 film Aliens and The Right Stuff, as well as political events such as the Cold War's space exploration competition between the Soviet Union and the United States. Cranston guest starred in the program, alongside actor Dave Willis, who reprised his role as recurring antagonist Barry Dylan. Additionally, Dave Fennoy stars as Commander Kellogg.

"Space Race: Part I" received overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics, who praised the episode's humor and character developments. Although it acquired positive critiques from commentators, the humor and general execution of "Space Race: Part II" was deemed inferior to its predecessor. "Space Race: Part I" garnered 1.157 million viewers during its initial airing, while "Space Race: Part II" attained 1.33 million viewers upon airing, consequently becoming the most viewed episode of Archer's third season.

PlotEdit

Archer and his colleagues at ISIS voyage to the final frontier in an effort to prevent a catastrophe on the International Space Station. ^[1]

TriviaEdit

During the firefight when boarding the Space station, Ray Gillette shouts "Get some!" when firing on the mutineers in a manner referencing the chopper gunner from Full Metal Jacket.
The plasma rifle used by the ISA bears a striking resemblance to the Pulse rifle from the film Aliens albeit with the grenade launcher appearing to be on the top of the barrel and the magazine placed in a bullpup configuration, the general aesthetics are the same.
This two-part episode borrows many elements from the 1979 James Bond movie "Moonraker."
Jettisoning Pam and Cheryl into space due to them overweighing the shuttle may be a reference to the short story "The Cold Equations" by Tom Godwin.