Archer Season 12: Has Ray Secretly Joined IIA?

As Archer season 12 reached its halfway point, a character’s absence has become increasingly conspicuous and prompted the question of whether Ray Gillette had secretly joined IIA. Voiced by show creator Adam Reed, Raymond Q. Gillette has been a member of the team since the very beginning. The sarcastic but good-natured analyst and field agent was revealed to be still present after Archer (H. Jon Benjamin) awoke from his coma. This was in spite of frequent injuries (including paralysis) and Adam Reed stepping back from show running and writing duties. He was equally present for the premiere of Archer season 12, as Sterling encountered a new nemesis and the team clashed with the organization known as IIA.

Ray was likewise a part of events in Archer season 12, episode 2, “Lowjacked.” As the gang embarked on a team-building adventure organized by the new agency CFO, Robert (Stephen Tobolowsky), their luxury plane was unfortunately hijacked by a group of ineffectual eco-terrorists. Hilariously, Ray managed to sleep through the entire ordeal as the rest of the team reacted in traditionally eclectic ways. Regardless, his presence was still overtly felt, bookending the exploits with laugh-out-loud moments — be them born from his acerbic wit or the image of him drifting unconsciously down a slide. That being said, as well as Archer proving himself not selfish by helping Cyril, the chaotic, alcohol-and-drug-fueled festivities of Archer season 12, episode 5, “Shots” left fans once again asking: Where’s Ray?

When the team ventured on missions to England in Archer season 12, episode 3, “London Time” and Africa in episode 4, “Photo Op,” Ray was noticeably absent. It could be explained, however, that he was already on a solo mission elsewhere. With Archer season 12, episode 5, “Shots” marking the third Ray-less episode in a row, though, fans were right to question. After all, with even Sandra (guest star Pamela Adlon) tagging along on the “Pampage,” it felt odd for Ray to not be part of the group hang. Unless, of course, it was part of an intentional pattern. And much like how Archer season 12 revealed IIA were behind ODIN going missing, the organization might actually be responsible for Ray’s disappearance.

Throughout the opening installments of Archer season 12, Ray frequently spoke of his dissatisfaction. That came principally when he was begrudgingly tasked with being the team’s lookout during a violent storm in “Identity Crisis.” After struggling with subpar equipment and nearly being struck by lightning, Ray conversely experienced the luxurious resources offered by IIA. As a result, both he and Lana stated that they should probably check out joining IIA. Though Lana clearly didn’t follow through on the idea, evidence has continued to mount that Ray might have actually done so. Having also briefly interacted with IIA boss Fabian Kingsworth (Kayvan Novak) via hacked comms, Ray could have been offered a job around the time that Malory Archer’s (Jessica Walter) agency solved its name problem — with the embarrassing plane incident pushing him to accept.

That would set up some interesting scenarios in the remaining season 12 episodes. If Ray has indeed defected to IIA, that would essentially make him a rival agent. Given that he knows all-too-well the capabilities and weaknesses of The Agency and its operatives, he could actually be a formidable one. That would go double given his oft-forgotten about cybernetic enhancements. That would lend itself to some tensely dramatic action situations. Equally, a reunion between Ray, Archer, and the rest of his former friends would offer copious amounts of comedic potential and the traditional, quick-witted bickering. After all, if Ray is now a full-fledged member of IIA, it’s happened with nobody even noticing that he was gone. Either way, Ray’s return is likely inevitable and, much like how Archer season 12 seemingly answered the identity of Sterling’s father, all should become clear in the remaining episodes.

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