Ep 2. Training Day

On the second episode of the first season of Archer, titled Training Day, the team at ISIS (International Secret Intelligence Service) is forced to undergo grueling physical and mental training exercises in order to improve their field readiness. However, much to the frustration of the team, their new trainer turns out to be Archer's former personal trainer, who is infamous for his cruel and sadistic ways of training.

As the first day of training begins, tensions rise as the team quickly realizes the severity of the situation. Along with the physical endurance exercises, they are also put through a series of mental tests to measure their critical thinking skills under pressure. Archer, as always, seems to be the most vocal about his displeasure with the training, constantly questioning the validity of the exercises and the trainer's intentions.

Throughout the episode, viewers get a glimpse into the personal lives of the characters. We see that Cyril, who is typically timid and reserved, is a bit of a sexual deviant, and has secretly been getting off on the level of physical contact he's had with Lana while training. Meanwhile, Krieger is working on his experimental cyborg technology, which is causing the other members of the team to question his sanity.

The real drama ensues as it becomes clear that the trainer has a personal vendetta against Archer. This becomes apparent when he purposely sabotages Archer's training in multiple ways, forcing Archer to push himself to the limits in order to succeed. In the midst of all this, the trainer begins to develop feelings for Lana, much to Archer's chagrin.

As the episode progresses, we see that the rest of the team, despite their initial skepticism and complaints, are actually benefiting from the training and starting to feel more confident in their abilities. Archer, on the other hand, continues to struggle, and begins to think that the trainer is using the training exercises to single him out and punish him. Lana tries to convince Archer that he's being paranoid, but this only further aggravates him.

As the brutal training comes to an end, the team is given a final exercise to prove their readiness. However, when Archer fails to complete the exercise due to the trainer's sabotage, Lana steps in to complete it instead. This not only highlights Lana's impressive skills but also shows that the team is collectively stronger together.

Overall, Training Day provides insight into the characters' personal lives and portrays the harsh reality of physical and mental training for secret agents. It continues to set the humorous tone for the rest of the series while also introducing elements of drama and excitement.