My Own Worst Enemy: Just a couple of things

Posted by Dan October 27th, 2008 at 01:35pm In General

Marisa addressed the more interesting points of the new Christian Slater series My Own Worst Enemy a while ago, but after the second episode I’ve got some loose observations left to make.

On the whole though, it’s a decent thriller made ‘pretty good’ by my low expectations. Those low expectations are the result of the fact that the superhero-by-night, PTA-parent by night genre is well-trod territory.

My concerns:

• Is Alfre Woodard slumming it? She’s one of those actors who always seem to lend dignity to whatever show she’s in, thereby elevating her scenes in My Own Worst Enemy (she plays the steely intelligence officer who keeps Edward on track and Henry under control). I’m sure she could lend gravitas to anything — even pre-destined duds like Gary Unmarried. However, she did star in that one season of Desperate Housewives…
• The thing that made me happiest in the series’ pilot was the moment when Henry was walking around the building after being freed from the Russian terrorists. He was walking around amid gunfire and then someone got shot, spraying blood all over his face. In that moment, I knew that this wasn’t going to be Medium — meaning we’re not going to have to endure precocious breakfast banter with ridiculous children. We weren’t necessarily going to have to be burdened with plot lines about the kids standing up to bullies at school or being nervous about a school play. Children are what ruin shows like this.
• This show is much darker than I ever would have expected (not that it can’t get darker — a choice I wouldn’t frown upon). I’d like to see more characters, more Mission Impossible-style intrigue and, yes, more gunplay.
• Remember that song by Lit called My Own Worst Enemy that they played for an entire summer? Thank God we don’t need the radio anymore.