I like the first 3 episodes alot...don't love them, but pretty close. It's not as funny as in the early days (what show could be that funny this far into its run?) but it's funny enough. Archer's new role within the team is interesting. It's not sprinting to the finish, but it's not limping either.
I kind of have the same feeling about this. It's not the same experience as watching current-day Simpsons, which just makes you sad for the heyday. But they now have like three fastball moments every episode (at the most). I think the very best Archer episodes had like fifteen of those.
I thought the season was alright. I guess you have to accept we are never going back to the sheer early season brilliance.