‘Masters of Sex’ episode 8 review: Masters, Johnson, and a teaching moment
Despite being set in a very conservative time, Sunday night’s “Masters of Sex” episode featured a number of progressive themes. We had a deeper discussion into homosexuality, marriage, sex (of course), and of course gender dynamics.
The major theme tonight was a different sort of studying, at least when it comes to Virginia Johnson trying her absolute hardest in order to be taken seriously. She signed up for an anatomy class! Unfortunately, what she did not realize was just how difficult the process would be. It is hard enough to be treated seriously as a woman in this industry, she was not entirely welcome or supported … at least at first. It took Masters making a deal with the instructor in order to help her, and in turn allow him to have more time with his top researcher again as they worked on something “revolutionary” (but also something that we’re not quite sure many in the research community will appreciate).
But we realyl don’t want to spend much time on most of the stories, since when it comes to Masters, Johnson, and Libby, this was a pretty empty episode. This, to us, is more about Beau Bridges completely owning his performance as Scully, the Provost of the university who found out some rather devastating news in that his wife wants to divorce him. Does he love her? Dearly, but just not in the way that a woman wants to be loved. He’s incapable of that, and is desperately trying to change it.
This is one of the best performances of Bridges’ career, and it goes to show you just how fantastic a cast that this series has. Do we still worry about their status in the future? Sure. Allison Janney has another gig on “Mom,” Bridges has “The Millers,” and even Rose McIver (Vivian) is on “Once Upon a Time.” But the show is finding a great way to make use of them for as much time as it can.
Save for Ethan engagement and the beginning of the end for Scully, not too much happened on “Masters of Sex” this week. Nonetheless, it is still a crown jewel of Showtime’s lineup, and the scenes with Bridges are enough to still give this a high grade (just not as high as Virginia received on her exam). Grade: B+.
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Photo: Showtime