Ep 5. Powerless

Joe, Owen, and Terry find themselves feeling powerless in various aspects of their lives in this episode of Men of a Certain Age.

Joe, trying to get his gambling under control, attends a Gamblers Anonymous meeting where he meets a man named Dwight who is struggling with a similar addiction. Despite his initial reluctance, Joe agrees to be Dwight's sponsor, hoping that helping someone else will keep him on the right path. However, Joe quickly realizes that being a sponsor is not as easy as he thought it would be and begins to question whether he is really equipped to help someone else when he can barely help himself.

Meanwhile, Owen is struggling with being a lesser partner in his car dealership. His controlling father refuses to treat him like an equal and constantly undermines him. Owen tries to assert himself by making a big decision regarding their inventory, but his father quickly overrules him and puts him back in his place. As a result, Owen feels powerless and frustrated, wondering if he will ever be able to make a real impact in the business.

Terry, too, is feeling the sting of powerlessness in his life. His acting career is at a standstill and he is forced to take a job doing infomercials to make ends meet. He is humiliated by the ridiculous product he has to endorse, but feels like he has no other options. Adding insult to injury, Terry's ex-wife comes to his trailer to confront him about their strained relationship. Terry tries to take control of the conversation by asking her to come back to him, but she refuses and leaves him feeling even more powerless.

As the episode progresses, the three men find small ways to take charge of their situations. Joe sets boundaries with Dwight and tries to focus on his own recovery, while Owen confronts his father and demands more respect. Terry decides to take control of his career and turns down another infomercial gig in favor of studying for a real acting job. By the end of the episode, each man has taken a small step towards regaining their power and control, even if it's just in one area of their lives.

Powerless is a poignant episode that highlights the struggles of men in midlife. It shows how feeling powerless can manifest in different ways, and how difficult it can be to break out of that mindset. While the men's problems are unique to their individual situations, the overarching theme of helplessness is something that many viewers can likely relate to. Ultimately, the episode ends on a hopeful note, suggesting that with a little bit of courage and determination, it is possible to regain control and find new ways to move forward.