Once again I find myself shaking my head in disbelief. In a good way. Because I can’t put my finger on what the show is doing differently than everybody else, but Men of a Certain Age is amazing.
My only real complaint about the show up to this point has been that since developing their separate story lines, it’s gotten harder and harder to ensure that we get quality time with Terry, Joe, and Owen all together. After last night’s mid-season finale I’m officially retiring that complaint. My new one? TNT seasons are so short. It’s not fair!
Last night saw the boys on their way to Palm Springs for colonoscopies. Everything about their time together was great to watch, and I loved that we got to see them back in Joe’s truck as well. In early episodes Joe would drive them all to their hikes, and that was setting one of three for their talks. Good to see them there again.
I enjoyed the drive-by shot of Joe’s father, Art (Robert Loggia). I’m not sure why exactly the writers decided to add Art in now, but it could be that his presence will affect the back half of the season. Certainly Joe was able to use it in his speech at the taco place.
Owen has a long road ahead of him to fix the broken dealership. I think in general it’s better to be open about the hardships a business is facing, but with a commission-based sales staff he’s probably right to play it close to the vest. I saw the end coming, and yet Andre Braugher still managed to surprise me with the inclusion of how much his father lets him down. I loved the way in which his frustration exploded all over the guy in the bar. And how about his look to the nurse after she read all the warnings prior to the procedure?
I also saw Terry’s realization that he’s in love with Erin (Melinda McGraw) coming, yet I was still able to enjoy how he got there. Seeing Terry texting and giggling was awesome, and I think I do like him with Erin now. Interestingly it’ll be Terry who will grow the most over the life of this series, and a committed relationship is going to be a huge part of his growth. I’m really looking forward to that blossoming.
Ray Romano was amazing once again. I’d given thought to the fact that his mind bets were dangerous, and yet I didn’t see it as part of his addiction to gambling. I think it was done so well by Romano that it was organic, as opposed to being a set-up. I was proud of him for not hunting down that casino, but what the hell is a wrist punch? Did you see how funny he looked punching that guy in the bar?
Some other moments of note:
The entire episode … the entire half season … the entire run of the show has just been so good. What do you think? How fantastic was last night’s episode?
Clacked by Aryeh S.
on Jan 11, 2011 @ 14:00 EST5EDT
You left out Joe’s face and the way he clutches the sides of the gurney as he gets wheeled out after surgery. I have no idea how Romano got that position and expression so perfect, but it was spot-on.
I actually thought the barfight was a cliche. I saw it coming a mile away, and that’s not something I can usually say about this show.
Why is Terry not smart enough to realize that the “ren fair” might be out in a park somewhere with no cell reception? I guess he’s still very new to the whole cellphone concept. One of the others should’ve filled him in.
The wrist punch is a callback to the scene with Joe’s father. That’s the move he used when he was hitting Joe.
Did Owen just lose all his money from the craps table? If I were on a winning streak and knew I had a long trip to the bathroom coming, I would’ve cashed out while I still could.
My favorite silent moment, though, had to be the three of them, prepped and waiting to have the procedures, watching the old man make his way past their beds, wheeling his IV with them. That scene was flooded with meaning, all without any words spoken.
Great show. I agree–6 episodes and no more until summer is just not right.
*POST AUTHOR*
I wrote my review, and then I realized that I’d left out a ton of stuff. I figured the only way I could have done it justice would have been to type a transcript. What a great episode … I just watched it again! :)
I didn’t think anything of the bar scene so wasn’t expecting the fight. I wasn’t thinking about the guy trying to sit down; I was more focused on Joe not going to the casino and Terry making a huge mistake on his message. But it was fun.
Yeah, I think Terry just doesn’t think about particulars. And I’d forgotten the wrist punch thing, but saw it again on the re-watch. Thanks!
Loved the old guy walking by as well. Just got lost in all the other action. Great episode! :)
And the funniest line of the show, for me:
“The way you wear your sunglasses on your hat…that shouldn’t piss me off, but it really does.”
Can someone tell me who played Joe’s dad’s lady friend in this episode?
*POST AUTHOR*
Alice Hirson?
Love your blog post. This was some fine television. The bar scene could be anticipated, but it was far from cliche. Their lame fighting — including the wrist punches — was hilarious. And if you have witnessed a middle-aged men fighting in a bar, you recognize how idiotic it looks. Love that the writers and actors created such a funny, realistic scene.