Masters of Sex S1E9
WARNING: This review contains spoilers.
Performance evaluations are due this week.
Masters of Sex delivers a great episode, as the characters continue to develop into real people, with real successes and failures. Michael Sheen continues to shine (see what I did there?) as the titular lead and Masters, no matter his past or station in life, still comes across as an asshole. Sheen plays Master's peculiar nature perfectly, and it is a testament to his portrayal that the viewer, after nine episodes, still does not like him. This is not a guy you want to have a beer with or take fishing.
Virginia, who has served as our window into the 1950's, shows that she is having difficulty being a Renaissance Woman. Sure, she is enlightened for her time (and she has her own sex tape!), but the struggles of a single mother 60 years ago appear very similar to the tribulations modern-day women share. Virginia is finding it hard to fit in with classmates and co-workers, and she finds a reluctant friend in Dr. Paul, who is developing a lot of respect for her best student. But Virginia needs more than good grades to buoy her self-esteem. While she chides Masters for her performance evaluation, it is evident that she needs positive feedback, and Masters handing her an envelope of money for her cinematic talents after Jane backs out is too much for her to bear, as she breaks down in the parking lot. Not only because Masters has relegated and defined her role in the study, but also because he is attempting to draw a red line between their personal and professional lives much too late.
Ethan, the slap-happy future son-in-law of Provost Scully, uses his upbringing as a way out of his relationship with Vivian the Christian. It is hard to tell if he was already leaning toward ending things with his betrothed, or if the random encounter with the wise older man spurred him, but he is seizing the opportunity to distance himself from a relationship that has never been his idea, and one that he had little ownership.
Libby and Master's mother, Essie (Ann Dowd), deal with the pregnancy news and Libby encourages Essie to get more involved in her son's life and fix whatever mommy-son conflict they have. Essie's attempts at providing motherly support is fun to watch, as she doles out throwaway line after throwaway life, and shocking and embarrassing her tightly-wound son. Sheen and Dowd have great chemistry, and their scenes are always fun to watch.
The comic relief of Jane and Lester rounds out an otherwise serious hour, as the budding auteur and his subject amuse us with Jane's film debut. Jane's attempts at influencing Masters' performance review of her work add more humor. Helene Yorke's performance stands out among some heavy hitters and her character does not get lost among Sheen and Caplan.
No Margaret and Barton this week, but their absence does not detract from a great episode. I am looking forward to what happens with all of these fascinating characters as this season winds down.
Random Thoughts:
- "Sex has been around for a very long time. It predates even me and everyone has done it, except the Virgin Mary." - Essie
- Toes curl during sex because of an involuntary reaction? See, television can be educational.
- "It looks like an anteater." - Vivian
- If you didn't know it before, sex apparently is a complicated issue.
What did you think?
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