Masters of Sex S1E8
WARNING: This review contains spoilers.
Lots of unhappiness in relationships as Masters of Sex finds its raison d'etre.
Let's get to the good stuff. Margaret Scully (Allison Janey) is owning this show. Her relationship with her closeted husband Barton (Beau Bridges) is quickly becoming the most interesting storyline in this prestige drama. Margaret understands that her dalliance with Austin (Teddy Sears) has run its course, and she lets him off the hook before he can dump her. Then she drowns her sorrows at a local bar, which conveniently serves as an introduction to Dale, Barton's "friend." Barton sees her and Dale talking and quickly comes up with an explanation for his meeting with Dale. He tells Margaret that he likes interacting with hookers, and Dale is his conduit for his association with hookers (female hookers). That is powerful stuff when you had rather tell your wife that you are cheating on her with hookers instead of telling her that you are gay and seeing a male prostitute. I don't think the 1950's has a monopoly on keeping something like that a secret from your wife.
We also meet Austin's wife, who gets a new vacuum cleaner because of Austin's extramarital proclivities. Austin's wife is not clueless to her philandering husband's escapades, and she lives in a world of shame and regret. While caring for multiple small children at home. Once again, the 1950's does not seem much different than contemporary times on this issue.
Ethan (Nicholas D'Agosto) is settling into his future with Vivian (Rose McIver) as he ponders his future in matrimony and monogamy. While it seems apparent that he is not in love with Vivian, he has taken a shine to the idea of marriage and the societal expectations of a successful young male doctor. He takes Austin engagement ring shopping, which turns into an opportunity for Austin to meet his next conquest, the jewelry store girl.
Libby (Caitland Fitzgerald) has a new interest in her passion-starved life, a handyman named Walter. Walter happens to be an African-American, and a potential coupling could be great fodder for a show set in the 1950s. Libby, while learning to dance with Walter's help, faints and Walter gets her to the hospital where, SURPRISE! Libby is pregnant with a little Masters.
Jane is proving to be a capable secretary and a great plot device, as she energetically volunteers for more "research" with a newly-mounted camera on Ulysses. The awkwardness and horror on the camera-maker's face is potentially the funniest thing we have witnessed on this show thus far.
A quality episode, as unhappy marriages move front and center this week. I look forward to where we go from here.
Random Thoughts:
- A bottle episode on Ulysses would be great.
- Austin has his mojo back!
- The Ethan rehabilitation tour is in full swing, but he is still a slap-happy woman beater.
What did you think?
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