Watching the premiere of My Own Worst Enemy — NBC’s Christian-Slater-has-a-split-personality drama — I finally understood how audience testing could screw a pilot: If I were holding a dial that measured how much I liked each moment of the hour, the results would look hillier than San Francisco. (Read EW TV critic Ken Tucker’s official C+ review of the show here.) First episodes are always tricky because large amounts of exposition can be tiresome. Make it a high-concept show that can’t actually tell you anything (at least not until the final minutes), and it can be even more frustrating because you’re constantly wondering if the payoff will be worth the wait… Without someone like Slater in the lead(s), I wouldn’t have had the patience. But I’m glad he got me to stick around. And he’ll keep me coming back.
The first moment that got me to sit up in my seat, and do one of those surprised-me! coughs you always see in movies, was, of course, when Edward, Slater’s secret agent personality, shot (in the head) the woman he’d just bedded after she tried to kill the pillows him. I wrote "KINDA AWESOME" in my notes, but I think that’s just because I’m sick of seeing women in their bras and/or panties in pilots this fall (Fringe, Eleventh Hour), and because after Edward uttered a line like, "Don’t let an act of deception turn into an act of self-deception," I was craving violence. The moment I decided to give this series a serious chance, however, was when Mavis (Alfre Woodard), the boss of Edward’s LA-based super-secret agency, told his alter-ego Henry, the suburban dad, that Henry was the personality that had been manufactured. Now the mystery is (A) Why would Edward sign up for this "program" (and don’t feed me that bullcrap about doing it because you don’t want to, to prove free will), (B) why does this program even exist (I’m guessing it’s not because big bads, like this episode’s Uzi, are all so willing to accept that the man who’s been hunting them for 10 years is actually two people), and (C) why can’t Henry be erased from Edward’s mind (does Edward not want to let him go)?
Now that Henry is aware of Edward, the fun should begin in earnest, meaning we won’t have to sit through another scene of Henry not understanding why he’s being tortured and screaming "Don’t you think I’d remember that [trying to kill you slowly]?" when a normal person would be yelling, "But I’m an [insert occupation]!" Instead, we’ll just get Henry trying not to get killed when he awakens in Edward’s world, and, fingers crossed, judging him some more. That "What a dick" line when Henry first stumbled into Edward’s walk-in closet was classic. And we’ll see Edward slapping the ass of Henry’s wife and satisfying her so much sexually that she comes to rival Rachael Ray in the kitchen (cooking breakfast is her way of saying thank you and wow).
So, did the pilot do enough to hook you? What’s your early theory about "the program?" And do you prefer scenes with Henry, Edward, or Hedward (when they’re communicating important information, like "There’s a difference between driving somebody’s car and driving somebody’s wife" through taped messages)?
More on ‘My Own Worst Enemy’:
Ken Tucker’s official EW review of ‘My Own Worst Enemy’
The inside skinny on ‘My Own Worst Enemy’
‘My Own Worst Enemy’ casting scoops!
Our initial impressions of ‘My Own Worst Enemy’ pilot footage from July’s TCA press-tour panel
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The Brits already did this, and better, in Jekyll. Like the use of “Henry” and “Edward” aren’t dead giveaways.
I like Christian Slater so I’m willing to give it a couple more episodes. I have to say though, I like anything that has to do with Edward’s world better, or rather anytime Slater’s being bad-a**.
Loved the pilot. You can’t just jump in, it has to unfold so be patient people! The humor was perfectly played, not forced or cheesy. I’m in for the season.
Eh, it might get a chance due to lack of competition in my world, but I was flipping to the Hills and the NLCS all night.
It’s not like Kidnapped and Smith where the storylines were clearly ideas for films, this show made you wonder if the real person (Henry) is somehow psychologically wanting to be his real self or if someone is playing games. The show is complex, but not that complex. Slater fits this role, a bad a-ssed secret agent who loves sadistic sex and has a wicked sense of humor. It’s like his Heathers character but he’s not the bad guy.
This IS the American version of Jekyll. Ok, because The Office was a huge success, American versions of Brit shows are being remade. Life On Mars anyone? It’s been attempted a few years ago with Coupling, but it did not work. This time it is.
The show passed the first test. That of keeping me interested. It has a world of potential but I’m mostly glad they didn’t try to make it funny. Clever will do fine, thank you very much. Bears watching, that’s for sure.
I really liked it, which means it will probably be canceled straight away.
Well it confirmed one thing: the crush I had on Christian Slater in 9th grade is still alive and well.
I started off half-watching the show and ended up loving it. A very pleasant surprise, considering how terrible “Fringe” is. I actually liked “Worst Enemy” more than the recent “Chuck” episodes. (The whole Sarah/Chuck thing is just so lame.) Christian Slater totally sells it.
This is not a remake of Jekyll b/c they are really working on a remake for the US market. This is more of a MR/MRS Smith meets Jekyll. I was a little skeptical of the show at first but once I started watching I was hooked! I hope this show has many seasons to come! Who knows if his wife isn’t a secret agent as well?!?
If not because of Christian Slater,I wouldn’t sit through this new show. Great plot and hope it will continue to satisfy everyone…hmm..Edward..no.I mean Christian.
I so seldom watch network t.v. because it is so predictable and corny. This was a surprise and I won’t miss the next episode. My husband was annoyed that I didn’t tell him how good it was, but during the commercial breaks, I brushed my teeth, put wash in the dryer, etc. He’ll be in on the next one.
I’m w/ Caroline & Maria on this one. The crush I had on Christian Slater has been renewed. I liked the show, it’s refreshing for a change & with that said, will probably be cancelled. I hope there are many more episodes to come. Come on…How many CSI shows do we need anyway?
I loved this show, and of course having Slater at the helm sure as heck didn’t hurt. I’m flashing back to my teen years-Gleaming the Cube, man he wa hot- sighing and falling in love all over again, but this time with the man. This show is unlike any before, and I am eagerly anticipating the next episodes. Here’s to hopping that it will stick around and given a fair chance. Please, don’t have us hooked only to take the same way out that the 4400 was given, sorry I’m still very bitter and peaved over thatone.
I like this show! The plot is different from anything else on, which makes it really interesting. However, since TV viewers tend to despise different or “edgy” programming, I have a sad sinking feeling that this will go the way of “Cane” and “Jonny Zero.” I hated how CBS and Fox refused to give those shows a fair shot at building a fan base before yanking them. Best of luck, Christian!
I really liked it! The actors/actresses are brilliantly cast and I really appreciated how they slowly unveiled the plot line. It is definitely fun watching Slater play the bad@ss but I also enjoyed seeing Henry come into his own by the end of the first episode. I will definitely tune in next week.
I love this show. The premise reminds me a little of the movie Total Recall but I really love this show.
I was actually impressed with the show. funny and action packed. A lot better than the hour long Ford commercial, I mean Knight Rider that is pure cheese.
Now watch NBC cancel it on us.
Looking forward to coming back.
I think this show really has potential long term. The concept is a lot closer to the literary Ludlum Jason Bourne/David Webb character than the films are and could really be interesting.
I really liked it! I loved the whole interplay with Mavis and when Henry saw where Edward lived. With my luck, it will get cancelled.
One thing i hate is when people comment on tv shows and say “The brits do it better…blah blah blah” I am not from Britain and dont see too much tv from there..so I havent see Jeckyl or Life On Mars brit style..so I will just enjoy what I do get to see..shows on the networks of USA.
I liked the show. I am just too afraid to really get into any new shows because when I do, they end up cancelled
i wasnt highly impressed. christian slater was good but i found the actual plot and writing of the show to be rather boring. will probably stick with it for a few episodes to see where it goes. but the writing does not compare at all to fringe or some of the other shows ive caught
Wake up America. Obama is a fraud, his socialist ways will be our downfall
Yes, this was a pretty damn decent show. I’ll definitely be back for more.
I was hesitant about watching it, firstly because of mixed reviews, and also b/c I was afraid the premise was going to be either too cheesy or too over the top. But as the pilot unfolded my liking for it grew more and more. I think they nailed it; it’s a perfect mix of action and humor. I loved the two different personalities’ reactions to the other man’s life. It was great. I’ll definitely be watching more.
I like it already, just from seeing the pilot. Which is more than I can say for the overrated Fringe. (At least the last episode of that show was finally better, here’s hoping that trend continues.)
I AM TWO PEOPLE!
One that thinks this show sucked and will continue to suck, and one that will watch it when no one else is around…
definitely good premise and first episode….
ive seen the brits show and im sorry they suck, and i could hardly understand what they were saying… the american version of brit shows are better…
i was surprised at the level of violence, and i love it…
im a republican, and im voting obama
lol..
I thought this show was all right. I think it had some good moments, but I’m not completely hooked. I’ll probably stick around a little while to see how it develops, though.