Upon hearing
that there would be a Showtime series entitled “Masters of Sex,” I immediately
assumed it to be a spin-off of the anthology series, “Masters of Horror.” They
did the same with science fiction as well, so I just assumed that we were going
to get a series of hour-long erotica from various infamous film-fornicators.
Instead, this series plays more like a sexed-up “Mad Men,” with pioneers in
scientific research of sex in the 1950s rather than the marketing world of the 1960s.
Character development takes precedence over any clear direction in the
storyline; though there is a clearer progression in the scientific discoveries
throughout season one.
The show is
built upon the unconventional and often unclear personality of the pioneering
sexologist and gynecologist, Dr. William Howell Masters (played by Michael
Sheen), and the collaboration with his twice-divorced secretary, Virginia
Johnson (Lizzy Caplan). The fact that the storyline quickly becomes entangled
in an inevitable sexual relationship between the two is somewhat tiring,
especially with the way the series drags it out. This is not the only
melodramatic sexual relationship to overpower the storyline, but the show
recovers when the scientific research remains in focus.
This research is
taboo in the 1950s, and a lot of the show’s scientific research must be
conducted in secret and through a variety of manipulations within the hospital
politics. Some of the research methods might be shocking even by today’s
standards, but the method with which it is approached for the series remains
titillating rather than pornographic. My biggest issue with the series is the
assumptions inserted from some of the research done at that time. For example,
there is a difference between being educated in sexuality and being lustfully
gluttonous. At times it seems to go hand-in-hand in “Master of Sex” that
understanding how sex works leads to a sexual revolution that glorifies
indulgence as the equivalent of expertise, while portraying sexual restraint as
nothing more than ignorance and immaturity.
Despite the
faults in the show’s underlying messages or point, there is much to be said for
the acting and overall look of the series. Though there have been many
unsuccessful attempts at period drama since the popularity of “Mad Men” became
apparent, “Masters of Sex” looks to be one which will stick around for a few
seasons. The first season includes twelve hour-long episodes on four discs,
along with a handful of special features. The pilot episode comes with an
optional commentary track, and there is a great making-of featurette. There are
also a few deleted scenes, and two featurettes for each of the show’s leading
stars.
Entertainment Value:
6.5/10
Quality of
Filmmaking: 7/10
Historical Significance:
7/10
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