Q-force is an animated series that at first look, seems a lot like Archer. It has very similar senses of humor and tropes. In fact, while watching it I couldn’t help think about Ray from Archer and how he would fit in perfectly with Q-Force. That being said, the series does, as it unfolds, grow and become more than just an impression or blip in the field of animated spy humor.
As always we break down the critiques of the three categories: Story, Acting, and Overall.
STORY: 6/10
The story behind Q-Force, without going into spoilers, from later in the season’s storylines, covers a man who is top of his class in spy school.
However, when giving the commencement speech at this graduation, his bright future in the agency is eclipsed when he mistakenly believes that the repeal of “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” would mean that he could come out and be openly gay. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work out that way. Keep in mind that the graduation scene takes place specifically in 2011.
Unfortunately, even with the repeal of that policy, the agency is not as forward-thinking as he believed. The other members began to nickname him Agent “Mary” and his disclosure gets him placed in West Hollywood. The branch is only a front, as part of a plan to hide him with the intention to never give him a case.
The story then picks up 10 years later and while he hasn’t had a mission, he has acquired allies and friends from the LGBTQ+ community into his own personal task force. Even though they are highly skilled, and trained, no matter how hard they try, the agency refuses to give him his due. However, when he finally has had enough, he goes rogue and finds his own mission.
Unbeknownst to the agency, their task force saves the day and uncovers a major plot, therefore, earning themselves some time in the spotlight regardless of their LGBTQ+ Stigma.
ACTING: 7/10
Agent Steve Maryweather is played by Sean Hayes who got his start playing Jack McFarland, the over-the-top best friend on Will & Grace. This character is so much more subdued and more natural, because while Mary is a proud gay man, he is an Agent first, and has put everything else in his life behind his duties to be an agent first. His major competition in the agency has always been Agent Rick Buck played by David Harbour. While David Harbour’s character is incredibly straight, to the point of parody, it was nice to see him play this character, who grows through the series.
However, the person I want to give the biggest shout-out to for their performance in the series is Laurie Metcalf who plays “V.” I love the character and the emotions, or lack thereof, performed by the Metcalf’s voice acting was great. I had no idea who was doing the voice through the whole show, and then when I found out it was Metcalf who is known for playing Jackie Harris on Roseanne. I was really surprised by her range!
While most if not all of the characters are very stereotypical, the show is aware of that and as a result, they allow the voice actors to have a little fun with the roles, almost as if they and their characters are in on the joke. It gets a little multi-layered.
OVERALL: 7/10
The series is fun to watch and does a good job keeping track of minor beats throughout the entirety of the show. Things in the background, that you don’t think is important, can come back and play a role in the series later on. That’s awesome to see, and really repays the viewers who are invested. You don’t normally see things like that in animated series, and they usually just get lost in the writer’s room.
If you are looking for a fun animated series about spies, can get past the first few episodes and the stereotype issue, then you’ll likely enjoy this series.
Conner’s Final Thought(s):
When watching this series I worried slightly, that the representation within it would be less inclusive, and more played for its absurdity. I will admit that there is definitely a lot of playing stereotypes for absurdity, but at the same time, there is a subtle honesty and beauty to how they deal with the storylines, and how they tackling their agency’s history of non inclusiveness. Feels really in place with our own real-world agencies.
The entire series is now currently available on Netflix, find me here when it comes out on September 2, 2021.
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