A core element of the show has always been Archer’s oedipal issues, and they’ve really explored every angle. Who his father is, how Woodhouse raised him, his mom being jealous and/or disappointed with every girl he dates. Having her marry Ron really adds something new and mixes it up nicely. Plus Ron Leibman (the actor who does Ron’s voice) is actually married to Jessica Walter (Mallory), so there’s that. He’s also a 100% solid, veteran character actor, and I thought that really came out in this episode.
To each his own, but there has never been a single episode of *Archer *that was even remotely ‘meh’. Thank god for DVRs cause I have to constantly pause & back it up, I’m laughing so hard!