Masters of Sex S1E11
WARNING: This review contains spoilers.
As Masters of Sex hurtles toward the end of the first season, Virginia shows us just how important she is to this world.
Masters of Sex has spent the past ten episodes showing us how vital Bill Masters is to this show. And Virginia, because of Masters being front and center, has suffered, as her character has slowly developed. But all of this changed in this penultimate episode. What we have suspected all along is now universally accepted; Virginia is the glue that holds this show together.
The impact of Virginia's confrontation with Masters has subsided, and the two leads find themselves in different roles. Masters is utterly lost without Virginia's counsel and guidance, and he is trying to put together a presentation for his fellow doctors to show off what he and Virginia have been researching. While Jane is competent, she does not possess the quality that makes Virginia such an enigma to all that come in contact with her. Masters even resorts to calling Jane "Vir-Jane," as he hallucinates and muddles his way through the research and preparation for his upcoming presentation.
Virginia, on the other hand, is proving as valuable to Dr. DePaul as she did to Masters. DePaul, the cancer-stricken introvert, struggles with how to get funding for her research, and she expresses her resentment for men like Bill Masters, who in her mind is skimming money from the hospital, money that could fund her research. Virginia is busy both defending Masters and helping DePaul find sources of funding. And teaching her how to attract flies with honey.
The interaction between Virginia and DePaul gives us some of the best scenes of the season, as Virginia is seen as a protege to the socially awkward DePaul. While DePaul may be Virginia's titular superior, it is obvious that Virginia is in firm control of her workplace. Much in the manner that she ran Masters' shop before she quit.
Ethan and George cross paths early in this show, and some conflict ensues. But once George realizes that Ethan seems to be an OK guy, he makes peace and a truce is agreed upon by this duo of Virginia suitors.
Lots of pieces were moved on the chessboard this week in anticipation of next week's season finale. I expected more of a climatic episode, with the season finale resolving loose ends and prepping us for next season. But it may prove difficult to address all the loose ends AND set the stage for next season in the hour we have left with these characters this season.
Random Thoughts:
- Ethan has certainly seen more character growth than any other this season: from slap-happy woman beater to awesome father figure.
- No Margaret/Scully confrontation this week.
- I need a Lester update.
What did you think?
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