by Lee Padrick, October 3, 2013WARNING: This review contains spoilers.
Come for the nudity, stay for the drama.
A show about groundbreaking sex research in the 1950's? Sign me up. Although, I must admit, even in 2013, I'm concerned that my parents may find this post and read my thoughts about a show entitled Masters of Sex. Sounds like a title I see in the Pay-Per-View menu on my Tivo, followed by Big Butt Girls in Rio 8.
This new Showtime period drama is unlike anything else I've seen recently. While most networks are signing up for the latest anti-hero or omnipresent criminal genius drama series, this new show is a breath of fresh air. Other than an obvious Mad Men similarity, primarily because it takes place around the same era, Masters of Sex gives us some new water cooler fare. In between our ramblings about whether Walter White got his just desserts or the contrived brilliance of Reddington from The Blacklist, we know can openly discuss orgasms and plateaus. OK, maybe we can't (and shouldn't, in the workplace).
William Masters (Michael Sheen) is an intriguing contradiction: a brilliant researcher on the cutting edge of a taboo subject in the 1950's, who just happens to be a damaged, subdued soul. Masters is comfortable studying (and watching) the human sexual dynamic, but interestingly suffers from repression in his personal sex life. His dutiful wife obliges with his quirks, because she is mired in her own boxed conformity.
Masters' lovely assistant Virginia Johnson (Lizzy Caplan) is the anti-Masters, a single mother who is comfortably liberated, but also cognizant of societal norms 60 years ago. She possesses great self-awareness, and will take the opportunity to manipulate the people around her to get what she wants.
Sheen and Caplan do a great job in acting their various roles, and their on-screen chemistry really shines. Sheen is a well-known commodity, but Caplan is a relative newcomer to Big Drama; the last role I saw her in was as Amy in True Blood.
I couldn't help but notice that there was some not-so-subtle indictments of the 1950's. I hope that the writers can give us a somewhat objective portrayal of society 60 years ago and leave the political soapbox at home.
Showtime likely has a real winner in their stable. And I'm intrigued about where they may go with this story. The possibilities are endless.
Random Thoughts:
- A show about sex research will have lots of nudity and sexual situations. The dialogue is thought-provoking for the adult mind, and the more graphic scenes will incite a giggle by most males with an emotional maturity of a teenager. Or, at least I giggled numerous times.
- Beau Bridges' character was a dud in the pilot. I hope his character is more nuanced than what we saw in this episode.
- Betty the Prostitute seemed to represent the audience. I hope she's a recurring character.
- I may have to start a boob count with this show. It has potential to give Game of Thrones some serious perky competition.
What did you think?
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Showtime has made the pilot available on YouTube. Check it out:
Video: Masters of Sex - "Pilot"
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