My Own Worst Enemy: Give Me Some Nitty-Gritty, Please.

I’m not an elitist! I really do love everything about TV, from trashy MTV to the slew of endless reality shows.  I don’t even discriminate by choosing ABC over NBC.  I’m an equal opportunity viewer. But this show is really wearing me down.

The thing is, I can’t help but think that the show as straight-up spy TV would fare better than this confusing, split-personality mess. For every interesting scene that pops up, there’s a lot of unbelievable drivel, mushy-gushy family tidings, and the inexcusably limited use of the three supporting actresses of the show.

I understand new TV ventures need to be unique and inventive when so much has been done already. I, almost, champion NBC for thinking outside of the box. In truth, the network’s Monday night lineup is so geek-tastic, with Chuck feeding into Heroes, that My Own Worst Enemy seems like a perfect fit. Yet, despite its fantastic cast, interesting premise, and director who makes interesting visual choices, I find myself bored until the end when, like clockwork, I’m left with an intriguing cliffhanger.

For example, last week I was fascinated by the idea that, due to the death of Edward’s doctor friend, the internal war between Edward and Henry could really get underway. They even left an ominous “To Be Continued” stamp at the end. This week the death of the doctor was almost completely glossed over, and as for Henry’s attempt at war with Edward? He broke his teeny-weeny pinky finger, which even made Edward laugh.

If I’m not going to be watching a typical spy show then at least give me a look at the nitty-gritty of this split-personality syndrome. Show me Edward torturing Henry, and Henry haplessly trying to mess things up for Edward. The writers have yet to do justice to a mishmash of the two.

What happened to searching into Edward’s past, Henry? What about his apartment you haven’t returned to with that pretty car in the garage that you stole? I can’t fault Henry; he’s an imaginary character, but some continuity, please. If each week we’re going to get a “mission of the week” storyline, this show will go stale in no time, even with a great cast and fresh premise.

This week Henry, quickly, switched from searching for truth in his own past to trying to out the company to a FBI agent. Unfortunately, the agent turned out to be on the inside at Janus. Like I hinted at earlier, the end of this episode WAS a shocker as Dr. Skinner revealed herself to be a cold-blooded murder, killing the agent who was on to Henry/Edward’s malfunction. (I don’t think Mavis will be too happy about this, but knowing this show, Mavis won’t even find out and another opportunity to use Alfre Woodard will be lost.) I did already predict that she was apart of the company, but I’m glad she turned out to be gun-toting Agent Skinner instead. Hopefully, we’ll see more of Saffron Burrows outside of the office now that another aspect of Henry’s world is shattered.

The other interesting part of this week’s show was given to Tom/Raymond and his wife, who hired a private detective to follow her husband on his “business trips” when she notices he’s different when he’s away. Angie, her confidante, still remains completely oblivious to Henry’s own spy games and convinces her to surprise Tom at his hotel where, of course, he never checks in. I wish this storyline had been give to Mädchen Amick, not that Tom’s wife did a poor job. This episode, she complains about the new fridge Henry won’t by and the expensive, “hoochy” dress that Edward bought their daughter for a bar mitzvah. I had to pause and rewind as my eyelids began to droop anytime she was on screen. It makes me want to tear my hair out.

I promise to get back to my more in-depth show recaps, but I needed to shed some light on My Own Worst Enemy’s issues this week. I assure you that the mission part shed nothing new on either Henry or Edward or the agency. Both went to Mexico; Henry saved Edward with his winning personality and Edward saved Henry with his makeshift bomb making skills.

We know, now, that a faction in Janus knows something’s up with one of their top operatives. And on a solo mission, Raymond’s shown up by the target he’s trailing. Can Henry save Tom or will Edward save Raymond? I can’t say I’m unhappy there’s a two-week break for this show, but I am praying for them to step up their game as the season progresses.

Season 1, Episode 3: Hello, Henry (originally aired October 27, 2008)

For more on My Own Worst Enemy, click here.

Mondays at 10/9C on NBC
Photographs courtesy of NBC