Round Two: Men of a Certain Age

Men of a Certain Age: Season 1, Episode 2 “Let It Go” (C+)

After an uncertain start last week, this show hasn’t really found its footing yet. It’s also not doomed to failure, but it’s going to have to pull itself together soon it if wants to remain relevant and worthwhile. All three characters’ storylines are chugging along at an accelerated pace, but the question of whether they’re actually interesting has yet to be answered. Perhaps the most accessible and at the same time the least interesting of the three stories is that of Owen, whose continual inability to stand up for himself for the first three quarters of the episode and subsequent satisfying power play is just obnoxious. Most of all it’s a shame to see the incredibly talented Andre Braugher wasting himself on such a role. The other two haven’t quite found their funk either, but they seem to be doing work that fits their abilities. Joe’s efforts to reconcile with his wife by judging her response to his question about seeing other people are evidently poorly conceived and executed, but Ray Romano does a good job of playing the sad sack trying desperately to determine what he should bring to a party. His flagrant denial of his gambling addiction is a more serious undertone to the show that will likely not be explored since the other two don’t seem overly intent on doing something about it. Terry’s exploits are a bit tiresome but also quite entertaining, and seeing Scott Bakula run from a huge guy about to beat him up is pretty funny.