Comatose following his shooting by Veronica Deane, Archer dreams of a Noir world and mystery involving a murdered partner.
- Adaptational Villainy: In-Universe. The real Len Trexler was, at worst, Affably Evil. In Archer's dreams, he's a notorious crime boss who has people killed by dunking them in acid, courtesy of his right-hand man Dutch Dylan (Barry).
- Adventures in Comaland: This episode marks the start of Sterling's three-season long journey in his coma dreams.
- Ambiguous Gender: Pam, in Archer's dreams, is a detective called "Poovey," and while they're still voiced by Amber Nash, Poovey's gender isn't made clear (Poovey doesn't appear to have breasts, and still wears Pam's regular makeup). Archer at one point threatens to punch them in their "Genitals."
- Bait-and-Switch: The opening shot shows the group at a funeral, which may lead to viewers expecting Archer died from the bullet wound. It turns out that they're at Woodhouse's funeral, and Archer is in a coma.
- Bus Crash: We finally found out where Woodhouse went. Namely, six feet under, under suspected heroin overdose. Doubles as The Character Died with Him.
- Interestingly enough, he does appear at the start of Archer's dream as a murder victim.
- Call-Back: Nearly all the early seasons' Running Gags are referenced.
- The "They don't speak English!" "I do a little bit" exchange from "Heart of Archness, Part 2" is repeated
- Darker and Edgier: Easily the most serious episode of the show. The Teaser doesn't contain a single joke.
- Downer Beginning: The opening shows Woodhouse's funeral and Archer in a coma. His dream begins with him as a Private Investigator who found Woodhouse, his partner, murdered
- O.O.C. Is Serious Business:
- While she's not exactly a blubbering mess, it's clear from the start that Archer being comatose has nearly sucked the life out of Malory.
- Subtle, but the fact thar Cheryl of all people doesn't act like her usual crazy self shows just how bad things have been for the group.
- Private Eye Monologue: Archer appears to be doing this at one point, only for the camera to pan out and reveal he's talking to a stray dog he picked up.
- Running Gag: Even (or especially) in Archer's dreams, Barry is incapable of not being crippled in some way.
- When someone makes a bad pun, the drummer in the club band makes a rim-shot. Soon, it's in the background with Ray yelling at the guy to stop it.
- Shell-Shocked Veteran: The Archer in the dream world has flashbacks to his time in WWII every time he gets in a dangerous situation.
- Time Skip: The season starts 3 months after the events of Season 7.
