Masters of Sex - S1E4
Remind me not to invite Masters over for dinner.
This fourth episode of Masters of Sex was a strong showing. The main characters are coming more in focus, as we see what tends to shape them into who they are. This episode also reminds us that this is the mid-1950's and things that we take for granted are quite shocking, when disclosed, 60 years ago.
My first reaction to this episode is that Bill Masters (Michael Sheen) is an ass. He is a cold-hearted ass to his wife, his mother, and his secretary/assistant/obsession. After witnessing him blackmail Scully into a legitimate study at the clinic, he reverts back to his passive-aggressive simmering demeanor. The show begins and ends with him dissecting Virginia's (Lizzy Caplan) ex-husband George (Mather Zickel) for intimate details about his assistant's proclivities when engaged pre- and post-coitus.
Masters' study is legitimate and sanctioned by the university. Folks are volunteering to perform solos for a small fee. Enter broke and homeless George, Virginia's ex-husband. George performs for Masters and Virginia, without disclosure from either party on their former relationship. George showed up at Virginia's doorstep, spent some time with the kids, and convinced Virginia to share her bed for an evening. Then he found out about the study, which pays a small gratuity for a small gratuity, and he entered the study.
Virginia is trying to balance her personal life with her professional life, as she pursues further involvement in the study, using her organizational skills. Masters is continuing to treat her like a clerical worker than a researcher, and she is constantly seeking approval from him.
Libby (Caitlen Fitzgerald) is pregnant with a little Masters, and her mother-in-law (Ann Dowd) comes to town. While MIL is plotting to move to St. Louis to help out with the impending grandchild, Libby is busy playing Match.com with Virginia and Dr. Ethan Haas (Nicholas D'Agosto). The young, eligible Dr. Haas is having a difficult time keeping his mind off Virginia, so he leaps at the chance to share a dinner with her. Virginia is not interested in the slap-happy Haas. So he shows his true colors again, when he drunkenly curses Virginia at the Masters doorstep.
The Mother-In-Law is being helpful to Libby, but her involvement is not welcomed by Masters. Seems Masters has some childhood issues because his father used to beat him while his mother pretended not to hear. I feel for the abuse he withstood, but I can't get around the fact that Masters is an asshole around colleagues and family. I hope the "Masters Redemption Tour" is planned for an upcoming episode. Masters does show us his humanity when he performs a clandestine tubal ligation on a woman who is clearly involved in an abusive relationship, so maybe the tour has started.
The show begins and ends with Masters interviewing George (for the second time, after Virginia admits that she may have compromised the study by having a familiar subject involved). Masters wants to know what approach is best for moving Virginia through the stages of sexual response. He even creepily listens to the audiotape of the interview later, while leering at Virginia at her desk.
As I have said previously, I consider this the best new drama of the year. I look forward to the adventures of the repressed Masters and the liberated Johnson. Showtime hit this one out of the park.
Random Thoughts:
- Dr. Haas is a bigger ass than Masters, which is an incredible feat.
- Virginia is quite the woman, according to George. And Ethan. And the object of Masters' obsession. Has to be more than a hummer.
- I like Masters' mother, she's cool.
What did you think?
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