My Own Worst Enemy

Offered as a spy thriller about a super-secret and utterly ruthless American intelligence agency capable of operating anywhere in the world, the series featured a secondary story line about a seemingly average middle class family with relationship issues-- clearly meant to rope in the ladies. With the action lurching uneasily from one to the other, the two story lines didn't quite marry up.

The casual violence of the major plot was bound to turn off women viewers far more than they would be attracted by the domestic scenes featuring white bread blonde Madchen Amick. Many also would not "get" the references to major international issues that concern this shadowy and sinister Agency. These also put a date-stamp on the series.

Christian Slater is a Jack Nicholson sound-alike who also has Nicholson's sharp, worldly cynicism. Add the gritty physical intensity of a young Robert Blake, whom Slater generally resembles, and you have a great talent. There are some steamy love scenes between the 5'8" Slater and stunning English model turned actress Saffron Burrows--six feet tall and an avowed lesbian off-screen--who plays a psychiatrist on the staff the Agency. This match-up looks ludicrous on paper yet in action it is convincing. In the ironic intelligence of the writing and in its tribute to classic British fiction of the nineteenth century this series owes a debt to "House", the hit medical series on Fox Network.

When this show first started, I really liked the idea. Christian Slater was believable in his transitions, and the pilot steered clear of frenetic camera work and Paul Greengrass-style editing. But the more it plays, the more I see it making the same mistakes that FX made with "The Riches." It's becoming somewhat joyless to watch. The plots dig down into a sort of hopelessness that requires Henry to be constantly bailed out by some hitherto unknown ally or circumstance.

All in all, it has great potential, but takes itself far too seriously, and stays too dark. "24" was constantly dark, but it stayed popular by offering up some escapist thrills and a very likable protagonist. Right now, "My Own Worst Enemy" is dark, but not nearly as likable.

I like Christian Slater and I think he does very, very well portraying both Edward and Henry. The whole premise is very interesting and the first few episodes peaked my interest as to where they would be taking this. Then they made a fatal error and allow Tom to be too visible and then the very fatal error of involving his wife. It was one thing to have Henry/Edward's wife involved, she at least is an essential character. But to involve Tom's wife well who cares! So now I don't know what to do about this show. Like Journeyman, of which I was a big fan, I wish the writers would do a better job and I wish the networks would give the shows a fighting chance by insisting on tight scripts. But I know it's all about the money and low rating means no money so good and potentially good shows are canceled. I fear the same thing will happen here if the writing and the ratings don't pick up.

Don't know why they ever canceled this series, it was at the same time serious, fun, strange, elaborate, different and good :) This really had something that you hadn't seen before and Christian Slather was really a great actor for this, the main characters was an ordinary man for most, but had a "kill switch" in his brain so the CIA or who ever it was could turn him into a mercenary. When switched off he was a regular Joe, a dad, a husband, just an ordinary family guy, he is smiling, happy and awkward. But when activated he was a tactical killing machine, he could fight, shoot and sweep the ladies of their feet, he is charming, sexy and deadly.

The problem begins when the switch is not staying in the right position at the right time and the family dad side have no clue about the mercenary side, but vise versa does. It is fun and exciting and really good.

Henry Spivey a expert consultant working for a big company, is happily married with two children, seems to have a life most men would envy. And then there is Edward Albright a C.I.A. agent, who has his own pleasures of taking out the enemy, he pretty much is the next best thing to James Bond. Now these two men should have nothing in common, but they do, the fact that there the same man. Henry is a secret duel identity that was created for Edward, so Edward is like sleeping when Henry takes over. And Henry has no memory of Edwards action. But then Henry soon becomes aware of Edwards existence. How will these two personalities come too adjust?

I just watched the first episode, and it seems to be an enjoyable action spy thriller. I hope it lasts about as long as Alias(2001-2006) did. The writers of the show I hope are brilliant if they can have a show about a man with duel personalities going for years, but if they don't, we'll they deserve credit for trying anyway. The Jekyll and Hyde part is interesting, you get the Henry and Edward part. Christian Slater is great and convincing has both personalities. He plays it has the same man from two different universes. I liked the series so far, I hope it will last a while, but if it doesn't, like I said thanks for trying anyway.