(S01E10) A lot of things have changed for our favorite trio of men over the past nine episodes, and yet this tenth and final episode of the season managed to push each of them boldly into even bigger moments in their lives. For one, the change is definitely good. For another, it certainly has the potential for greatness. The third is completely up in the air.

Everything that's great about this show was on display in this installment. There is not a member of this cast who isn't knocking their performances out of the park on this show. Just as I was about to write that Scott Bakula was particularly impressive this week, I remembered a couple of scenes between Andre Braugher and Richard Gant (as his father) that were simply awe-inspiring. And then there's Ray Romano in the car with his son Albert, played by Braeden Lemasters. With very little dialogue, that moment was just oozing with emotion.

In a word (and I'll use it to sum up this entire season): amazing!

(S01E09) There's nothing particularly unique or extraordinary about the lives of Joe and Terry and Owen, the guys of 'Men of a Certain Age.' But the very fact that the situations and circumstances are normal makes how their characters react all the more interesting.

A lot happened in this episode, even though it wasn't big, dramatic stuff like you might expect. No, it was small moments, little things that didn't seem like much, but oh, what a blast in the storytelling. With the last episode of the season airing next week, this was one hell of a lead up to the big finish.

(S01E08) Things are rarely as we think they are in life and on this show. Each guy has an idea about the other, but it's never as simple as they think it is. So this week we learned that Joe's bookie is a sore loser and perhaps a catalyst. We also learned that everything doesn't always go Terry's way, no matter how often he seems to luck into things. And Owen's diabetes is conflicting with his appetite.

(S01E07) One of the many things I love about Men of a Certain Age is the wonderful marriage shown between Owen and Melissa. She is such a wonderful counterpart to all of his insecurities and frustrations, and yet knows when to stand up and let her own voice be heard. I thought the relationship was on wonderful display when Owen came home complaining about being forced to do the commercial, and she was able to quickly get to the root of the matter: his stagefright.

The series continues to add layers to the characters, even giving Owen's father a hint of sympathy this week. Don't get me wrong, the guy's still a complete and total hardass, but he was willing to do the right thing, and seemed genuinely confused by the misunderstandings people were having about the intention of his commercial.

(S01E06) Who knew Men of a Certain Age had a lighter side? In a rather dramatic -- or actually not so dramatic -- departure from the previous five episodes, "Go With the Flow" showcased a lighter side, and it was much appreciated. As much as I love the series, it's nice to know that these guys aren't just suffering constantly with their various issues and phobias.

Actually, Joe's issues were front and center in this story of his blind date with Sarah Clarke (Nina from 24), but that's a lot of what made it so fun. Actually, the fallout from Joe's issues impacted not only that first date, but also a span of days at work, when an online chat with Dory (Clarke) prior to the date went somehow very wrong for Joe.

(S01E05) As the title of this episode suggests, the guys were all feeling a big powerless and it looked for a time that it was a position overwhelming to each of them. What was reassuring, then, was to realize that with age comes experience and wisdom and a way to figure out how to deal with just these kinds of issues. Each of our men of a certain age were powerless in some way for a time, but not by the end of the hour. That's one for the old guys, if you're keeping score.

While at a fundraiser for a local school, ladies man Terry meets a woman he had a fling with in the past on 'Men of a Certain Age.'

Terry approaches the woman and discovers that, although she's now engaged, she's receptive to the idea of a romp with the confirmed bachelor for old times' sake. Terry suffers an uncharacteristic pang of conscience, though, and decides against acting as a potential homewrecker.

Watch the video after the jump.

(S01E04) As Men of a Certain Age progresses, it's becoming clear that things aren't as black and white as we might have thought they were. There are many more shades of gray among these three men, and I don't mean in the salt and pepper in their hair. For a while in this episode, it looked like nothing much was happening. There wasn't a lot of action. But like that whiskey sour that Owen probably shouldn't have drank, the impact hit later on. For more on that and which direction Terry took after the party, follow me after the jump.

Scott Bakula is making weekly visits to our living rooms again in the new TNT original series 'Men of a Certain Age.' Also starring Ray Romano (who is writing and producing, along with Emmy winner Mike Royce) and Andre Braugher, this surprisingly dark show explores the lives of three college buddies as they navigate their forties and the challenges of mid-life.

Bakula plays Terry, a not-quite-as-successful-as-he-planned actor working at a temp job and dealing with the dating scene. Romano's character is a compulsive gambler, while Braugher's battles diabetes and the disappointment of his father.

We got a chance to chat with Bakula, who gave us a peek at the even darker tone of the original pilot, the freedom of working on a cable network and the indie film style of the show. We also talked about his work on 'Chuck,' how disappointed his fans were to hear that he won't be back this season, and how Steven Soderbergh told him not to research his character in 'The Informant!'

(S01E03) If there was any doubt that this show's goal was too be completely authentic and realistic, I think a discussion about how many creams Owen uses on his ass just about seals the deal. I can only imagine what the waitress thinks of the bits and pieces she overhears of the boys' various conversations. But it does make it perfectly clear why that diner table has become the symbol of the show.

These boys have been a part of each other's lives for so long now that they're family. The fact that they're able to have conversations like we see each week, that certainly go deeper and more intimate than most "guy" friendships would ever be allowed, is a testament to that.

I've been hearing good things about Men of a Certain Age, the new TNT series starring Ray Romano, Scott Bakula and Andre Braugher as three best friends in their 40s dealing with middle age. With those guys in the lead, I was thinking it would be funny, but it's really not. In his review of the pilot, Jason mentioned that it was "painting a pretty bleak picture of middle age," although both Jason and Allison have liked it in their reviews. I dunno. It might be a little too depressing for me.

I'm not sure I want to watch guys dealing with real-life stuff like the rest of us -- divorce, illness, family issues and the like. I can just look around me for that. After pondering the question, I decided that I watch TV to escape from the day to day realities of life. A lot of times life, you know, sucks. And it seems to suck especially bad for the three guys on Men of a Certain Age.

I'll watch a few more eps before I throw in the towel (or decide I really like it). What about you? Are you watching and liking Men of a Certain Age?

(S01E02) There's a possibility that Men of a Certain Age could become grumpy old men of a certain age. But I don't think that's going to happen because there's still enough irony and levity to keep the show from wallowing into a miserable experience. These guys aren't grumpy all the time and when they are, it feels justified. It's hard not to share their feelings. These are every American men in a lot of ways, well-off, spoiled to an extent, wondering what's going on in the world that's suddenly not as young as it used to be.

This was an episode about injustice and fairness, and it's not surprising that our men feel like they've been subjected to too many slights, too many instances when they've been dumped upon, and too many things that have them pissed off. Read on for more about how our three mess-keteers handled the weekly travails.

(S01E01) I'm not even sure what I just watched. Here was a show about guys being guys, and yet there were no sexual exploits, and no drinking, watching sports or tinkering with cars. It's as if someone took all the stereotypes about men and threw them out the window. Instead what we got was a raw and honest look at manhood.

It was a revelation. More importantly, it was wonderful.

Ray Romano joined forced with one of his Everybody Loves Raymond cohorts, Mike Royce, to write and develop Men of a Certain Age. As if that wasn't a strong enough pedigree, he got the likes of Andre Braugher and Scott Bakula to join him as the three men at the centerpiece of this exploration of middle age.

If you ever watched Everybody Loves Raymond -- or currently watch the reruns -- you might wonder what would Raymond become after a while. What would happen if he didn't have Deborah yelling at him and his family keeping him from being a self-indulgent slob who only thought of himself. Men of a Certain Age shows you the dark side of Raymond, only here Ray Romano is called Joe. Joe and his college buddies, Owen and Terry, are on the wrong side of 40 and they know it.

We used to be big House watchers in this house a few years ago. We loved seeing Dr. House be snarky and cynical, and while an addiction to Vicodin is tragic, it was part of who he was. Really, maybe that's part of what addiction is -- it becomes familiar and part of your psyche, and you don't want to give it up. I'm no therapist, though (clearly).

We lapsed with the show as it became more and more predictable, and even the addition of the new team and the Survivor-like way House picked them wasn't enough to make it must-see TV. We watched only an episode or two last season. House's spiral was sad, and we didn't want to watch it anymore. I know long-running shows have to evolve, but we had lost the old House.