Following the conclusion of season seven of “Archer” with a series of shenanigans and a massive cliffhanger, many fans of the show, like myself, found themselves uneasy at the announcement that season eight would take place in a coma. Will there be a conflict resolution? Will we be teased with the fate of the titular semi-hero for the length of a season, only to be left with another cliffhanger, as was quite literally the case with season seven? More importantly, will a 1940s coma fantasy do the characters justice and preserve the comedic aspects of the show which have allowed it to stay endearing?

The uncertainty was comparable to the announcement pre-season five, when it was announced that the show would be dropping the name “ISIS” from its spy agency over concerns for merchandising. It signaled a drastic change in direction that easily could have spelled the end of the show. But, in a pleasant change of fate, season five of “Archer” ended up being one of its best seasons, almost entirely because of the drastic changes that took place; it introduced new scenarios and jokes that kept the show fresh. In addition, because of the success of “Archer Vice,” the idea of changing venues and themes between seasons has become a continued plot device.

So, with the announcement of “Archer Dreamland,” I was skeptical, but generally optimistic. “Archer Vice” was my favorite season, and assuming the writers of the show still know what they’re doing, “Dreamland” should be no different. Now, with the premiere of the season out of the way, I can safely say that my overall anxiety was unfounded.

While some of my concerns, such as the resolution of the season seven cliffhangers and the fate of Lana and Archer’s romance are yet to be addressed, “Archer Dreamland” sets a strong tone for the new season. Almost all the changes to the show’s formula are well-implemented, and serve to freshen up some of the show’s material. The characters have retained their depth and personalities despite alterations to their jobs, appearances and in the case of Pam, physical features. Yet they still mesh together perfectly well in terms of comedic timing and foliage. 

What’s more, “Archer Dreamland” explores new territory with its new setting — not just in terms of the show, but also in terms of television itself. There have been few explorations of the ‘40s from a comedic sense, and almost none of them with a modern take. The classic private investigator trope seems to have faded from popular television in recent years, likely from overuse. Now is as good a time as any to deconstruct not just that trope, but also the entire setting of the 1940s, with all the biting cynicism that a man from whatever-era-Archer’s-from can offer. A 2017 take on the comedic deconstruction of the zeitgeist and culture of 70 years ago is a new and exciting concept, and what better show to take a crack it than “Archer”?

The season premiere, of course, has its fair share of laugh-out-loud moments, and is immediately off to a better start than season seven, which I personally considered a more lackluster and forgettable season overall. What’s unexpected, however, is that this season immediately promises to be much darker and more down to earth, with a very real concern being shown from both Lana and Malory over the comatose Archer within the first few minutes of the episode. Furthermore, “Dreamland” Archer hasn’t lost his character development over the years. While he remains as abrasive and smart-mouthed as usual, this Archer acts with a certain altruism and concern that would usually be replaced by immaturity and a wanton disregard for his own safety. This Archer shows character growth that comes almost as a complete shock.

However, there are some nitpicks to be made. While it is only the first episode, both Lana and Malory’s dream counterparts play as fairly flat and one-dimensional, serving only as the show’s mystery women who move the plot forward. I expect this to change rapidly, but so far they in no way resemble their “real-life” counterparts. 

And speaking of Lana, perhaps one of the most questionable moments of the premiere comes when her “Dreamland” version is introduced as a jazz singer/seductress. The scene itself is very Archer, but the problem arises when it becomes clear that voice actress Aisha Tyler provided the vocals for her singing voice. Suffice it to say that it doesn’t really hold a candle to Cherlene. 

All in all, “Archer Dreamland” is off to a fantastic start. A better introduction most likely couldn’t have been asked for. Already, this season is shaping up to be one of the most interesting in the show’s history, and possibly also one of the funniest. “Archer Dreamland” is a must-see for all fans of animated comedy and Archer alike. To anyone still on the fence about this season, don’t be — just watch it.

A version of this article appeared in print on April 10, 2017 on page 9 with the headline: “‘Archer Dreamland’ off to fresh start, modern take on ’40s detectives.”