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Ally-like
'American Embassy' seeks adventure in London
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review
By Laura Urbani
Sunday, March 10, 2002 After hearing the title "American Embassy,"
viewers may expect a tense political drama. Something that draws
on tragic world events and can rival CBS' "The Agency."
Instead Fox offers "Ally McBeal" in London. Like Ally,
Emma Brody is an intelligent, independent woman who suffers from
insecurities and self-doubt, while desperately negotiating the rocky
road to true love. Unlike Ally, Emma does not revert to a vivid
fantasy world, nor does she fall down a lot.
Emma (Arija Bareikis) accepts a position as vice consul at the United
States Embassy in London. She believes it will be a fresh start
and a chance to do something important. But she can't help but wonder,
"Am I just escaping a bad relationship and running from my
real life? Of course not. My feet are firmly planted on the ground.
I think." Emma is leaving a lot of baggage behind in the States.
She leaves her philandering boyfriend, who her mother adores, and
she escapes from her smothering mother. As proof of her mother's
all-consuming love, Mom leaves a giant lipstick print on Emma's
forehead as she boards the plane for London. A handsome stranger,
who happens to work for the embassy, dutifully reports the smooch.
Doug (David Cubitt) makes it clear that he is attracted to Emma,
and hopes for a romantic liaison in the plane's bathroom. Emma,
always the responsible adult, refuses his advances. The encounter,
however, makes Emma embarrassed when she continually runs into Doug
at the embassy. Although she may flinch when she sees him, she can't
help being attracted to him. She later learns that Doug has not
been completely honest with her. He's not just as embassy courier;
he is a CIA agent. During the first 11 hours of her new life, Emma
faces "temptation, humiliation, and self-doubt. The holy trinity
of personal loathing."
Her first day in London does not go well. She finds her luggage
has been sent to the Far East, escapes being hit by a double-decker
bus, discovers that her new flatmate is a fellow embassy employee
who is addicted to sex, and expresses surprise when she meets her
cross-dressing neighbor, Gary (Michael Cerveris). Her co-workers
are an eclectic group of Americans living abroad. Her boss, consul
general Elque Polk (Jonathan Adams), is a fast talker who loves
the game of football. Janet Westerman (Helen Carey) is the deputy
chief of mission who runs the embassy and expresses confidence in
Emma when she doubts herself. "We recruit extraordinary people,
Emma," says Janet. "Extraordinary people don't run away
from the problems they create. They fix them." Among her first
assignments, Emma must help a man who insists on staying naked until
he gets a visa to the United States and baby-sit a young girl until
her wealthy mother can find time to pick her up.
At her first embassy reception, Emma meets a dashing British Lord,
James Wellington (Nicholas Irons), the godson of Prince Charles.
Despite being engaged, James is immediately infatuated with Emma.
When James invites Emma to his home, better described as a palace,
Emma can't help but wonder how people live like that and where do
they put their kitty litter.
Throughout the show, Emma writes a letter to her sister, Jules.
As she writes, pertinent words scroll across the screen, emphasizing
her feelings and thoughts. Emma, revealing what is really happening
in her mind, narrates most of the show. "American Embassy"
does not ignore the serious events that occur in today's world.
A bombing at the embassy has tragic consequences that will change
Emma's outlook on life. "One event can change everything in
your life," she says. "It doesn't have to be as earth
shattering as a terrorist bomb. Amazing how simple and small it
can be. An odd connection, in an unlikely place with the most improbable
people." "American Embassy" should have stayed with
its original title, which was "Emma Brody."
Viewers may be confused if they expect a political drama. Instead,
"American Embassy" is a delightful look at one woman's
amazing adventure in London and in life. "American Embassy"
9 p.m. Monday, Fox
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