It is no secret that I love my spy gear, secret agents and a good mystery.For instance it might be about a secret agent who has been tricked and hanging in to take revenge while leading a dual life (Alias). By the way, Christian Slater does appear in 2 episodes of Alias.
However, the “mystery” and the conflict in My Own Worst Enemy is even more complicated. No, fellow fans of Alias, I haven’t lost it. I know all about Sydney Bristow and her family background. But despite all the tricks and lies, she wanted to be an agent. She just didn’t know she was recruited by the wrong men.
Henry Spivey (Christian Slater) is a family man. He loves his wife (Mädchen Amick) and his two kids (Taylor Lautner and Bella Thorne). He doesn’t mind working hard to keep the comfortable domestic bliss that they’ve got going.
Edward Albright (also Christian Slater) is a highly-skilled and deadly operative working for a secret government agency. He doesn’t mind having sex with his target and then killing her on the spot. He is good at everything, including sex.
The deal? There is a chip in our Henry/Edward (yep-same body)’s brain- implemented by the agency and used at their convenience. When an operation needs Edward, Henry is supposedly sent on a business trip and our gentle husband/dad is put the sleep. Edward is awakened and he gets the job done. Then the memories are erased for Henry and he wakes up. Henry isn’t supposed to know about Edward…However this dual life-one guy system hits a bump. Edward starts to wake up in the middle of Henry’s life and Henry starts waking up in the middle of Edward’s operations. The agency threatens Henry that they will kill him if he tries to talk about this to anyone, so he tries to co-exist. Edward doesn’t mind sleeping with the hot wife Angela. He has a hard time with the mundane family life, though. And Henry is more than freaked out having to participate in the spy game. Especially, every time he uncovers a truth, it is more disturbing than the last. He also hates the fact that his wife is unknowingly having sex with Edward and enjoying it a lot!
It might have lasted only a season (9 episodes) but it is definitely not because the show is not interesting. It has a great storyline and a solid leading actor. The rest of the cast are also doing a good job. Edward’s superior is played by Alfre Woodard. That woman really gives me the creeps. It is not really just about her talent but the shady characters she plays as well. You might remember her from Desperate Housewives, where she played the mysterious new neighbor who had one son locked in the basement. Edward’s partner/ Henry’s colleague Raymond/Tom (also dual identity-played by Tom (Mike O’Malley). Saffran Burrows plays the firm therapist. Mädchen Amick has appeared in many tv shows such as Joey, Freddie and Gossip Girl but she is most memorable in her role in Dream Lover, starring with James Spader. And of course Taylor Lautner who made quite a name for himself, playing Jacob Black in the Twilight Saga movies, Twilight and New Moon. He will continue his role in the two remaining movies of the series. But mind you, he doesn’t have that many lines. It is Christian’s show.
Watch it if you like your spy stuff. Christian Slater is also a plus.
I used to be a huge fan of Christian Slater. Good share!
Used to? I think you still should be. He continues working in really interesting and engaging projects.
The plot of this show seems so cliche, and lame. NBC canceled this show after 9 episodes, also this supports my view.
Oh my God. You are taking NBC’s view? They have been messing with Leno and Conan so long,
they wouldn’t notice a good show if it bit them on the ass, really:)
Granted, The Mentalist is much better and so is Castle but I adore those two. If I give them a 9-10/10, my own worst enemy is at least 7. You thought similar shows are made all the time. Any examples for the split personality/spy angle?
I’m taking the view of the people, a guy in the IMDB even said that I would prefer watching two hours hannan montana, instead of watching my worst enemy… It’s like chuck, mr and mrs. smith mixture kinda show. Nothing spectecular… Bottom line it was destined to fail. it failed.
Ha ha. That guy would rather watch Hannah Montana? Are you sure he wasn’t a gay teenager?
Anyhow, obviously everyone is entitled to their opinion. But there are also people on IMDB who think the show rocked, hence the 7.4 rating. There are many disappointed people who were disappointed about the cancellation.
Anyway. The thing is, it is not like Chuck or Mr. and Mrs Smith. The lead character is a spy. He knows about the “homely” second personality. However the family man doesn’t. There is a chip in his controlled by the agncy he is working for. But the chip gets broken and the family man finds himself in the middle of operations and the spy in domestic life. There is a great twist at the end of the first episode. Plus, you don’t trust my taste? I am offended:)