Masters of Sex delivered one of the most powerful episodes of television I’ve witnessed in a long time. Where do I even begin?
Episode 5 of Season 1 of Masters of Sex, “Catherine,” simply blew my mind. The first half of the episode followed true to form. We’re used to the general vibe of the series at this point. The show is well-written and well-acted, but Episode 5 simply took things to the next level. In truth, I’m not sure how they’re going to top the emotional impact of the second half of the episode going forward, but tonight, Masters of Sex earned the second season pick-up it recently received tenfold. Here is the Recap and Review of Masters of Sex, Season 1 Episode 5, “Catherine”!
Much of Episode 5 centered on parent-child relationships and, most importantly, the impact a parent has on their children as they develop into their own people. The most jarring storyline this week focused primarily on Dr. Masters (Michael Sheen) and his wife, Libby (Caitlin Fitzgerald), as they dealt with the impending birth of their first child. Remember, Libby’s pregnancy was a miraculous conception, as Masters’ sperm count is less than desirable and, quite obviously, the couple lacks some sort of a chemistry that is most likely derived from Bill’s own parental issues. Meanwhile, Virginia (Lizzy Caplan) dealt with her own family drama, as her two children began to further vocalize their growing frustration with their mother’s lack of a presence in the home. Henry (Cole Sand) wasted no time lashing out with a brutal honesty that was only matched by his endearing nerdy charm, multiplying the hurt we felt for Virginia. Funny enough, Virginia’s storyline would have been absolutely compelling on its own, but served merely as a supplement to the tragedy that would inevitably befall the Masters couple by the climax of Episode 5.
As I stated prior, the first half of Episode 5 followed suit with what we’ve come to know and love about Masters of Sex. First, Ethan Haas (Nicholas D’Agosto) continued his wonky romance with Scully’s (Beau Bridges) daughter, Vivian (Rose McIver), who’s of an inappropriate age yet very convincing in her come-ons. Vivian is infatuated with Ethan, and she has been since her childhood. Oddly enough, she fell for Ethan’s kind gentlemanly ways, yet she’s received nothing but the opposite since reencountering Haas in the workplace. Remember, last week did not go so well for these two, yet she remained forgiving. This seems to me like puppy love forced into the adult world. Ethan, who initially attempts to thwart her passes, ends up sleeping with Vivian under the assumption that the two could, indeed, be in a casual sexual relationship. Unfortunately, an absolutely awkward first experience that ends in a puddle of blood on the sheets clues Ethan in to the fact that he’d mistakenly taken Vivian’s virginity.
Ethan has great on-screen chemistry with Jane (Helene York), who’s never afraid to scold Haas when he fails to see his neglect in the ignorant ways in which he treats the women in his life. Ethan, under Jane’s advice, would attempt to put himself in Vivian’s shoes, sending yellow roses in a gesture of friendship but inevitably ending up in a relationship with the girl out of pity and fear. Remember, she is the daughter of the provost. Breaking her heart is not an option.
Jane, meanwhile, was elated to hear that the study had been reinstated because she’d get to continue her “professional” sexcapades with Austin (Teddy Sears), who himself was caught off-guard when he was paired with another participant rather than Jane. Jane and Austin have a true chemistry, a detail Masters and Virginia managed to pick up on. When studying couples, where would chemistry come into play? There is no number to factor in that “spark,” as Virginia put it, so she and the doctor would experiment from within the background of the episode. The study, meanwhile, took a backseat to personal drama this week. Austin’s performance issues, both with the new stranger and, later, with Jane, were an unknowing but welcome bit of comic relief that would couple that which came next. Things got significantly dark and heavy very quickly, folks.
Showtime “Masters of Sex”
The Scullys’ anniversary served as the setting that would start the dramatic arc of Episode 5. William, who’d just begun to consider accepting the fact that he’d have a child, offered up the name Catherine in an effort to connect with Libby with just a tiny bit of vulnerability; however, once he spotted a patch of blood on Libby’s dress a few moments later, the scene would soon change. Before we knew it, Libby was rushed to the hospital and propped up alone in a bed. Bill, in typical fashion, refused to sit and wait with his wife, citing protocol as an excuse to ditch in an effort to fend off his own emotional break. Virginia, who’d promised her children a ride on the Ferris wheel and a slice of pie, was devastated to hear the news of Libby’s health scare. Her children would wait in the office while she attempted to comfort Mrs. Masters, her friend.
One of the most stirring scenes this week showcased some of Caitlin Fitzgerald’s finest work yet in her moment of venting to Virginia. Religion and God also popped up as themes during Episode 5, especially when Libby actually considered the concept of losing her baby after all they’d been through. Would God truly steal away her miracle child after they’d beaten the odds beyond all belief?
As Virginia comforted Libby beside her hospital bed, Henry decided he’d had enough of his mother. Throughout the episode, Henry had quite loudly voiced his opinions regarding his parents and his desire to live with his father. Virginia, who’d known in her heart all along that her children’s father never truly wanted them, took the verbal beating in an effort to protect her son’s heart. In the end, Henry would attempt to run away, sending Virginia into a panic. Luckily, Ethan would cross paths with the boy just in time. The two would have a private conversation in the cafeteria in which Ethan would relate to the little science geek, reminding him that shattering his mother’s world, blasting her into thousands of “radioactive particles,” was not truly what he was looking to accomplish.
Showtime “Masters of Sex”
Ethan would have a nice talk as well with a distraught and sobbing Virginia once her children were sound asleep in her office. He offered to step in as a male role model for Henry, seemingly out of the goodness of his heart. He has a girlfriend now, yet only we’re privy to the circumstances. Virginia is not, so this is sure to set up a new dynamic that could lead to future problems within this “friendship.” For now, though, Ethan has stepped up to the plate and redeemed himself.
Libby, desperate for a husband over a doctor, pleaded with Bill to reveal the truth. Bill, struggling to break the news to his wife, inevitably caved. They’d lost the baby, but Libby would still have to undergo a procedure to induce its birth. The most absolutely devastating scene during Episode 5 was without a doubt the scene of the operation. Watching Bill deliver his own stillborn child followed by several moments of witnessing him holding her in his arms was beyond powerful. I’ll be honest. I had to glance away from the screen for a second to catch my breath. In an age of television loaded with graphic death and destruction, this was the scene that made me hold my breath with my jaw dropped to the ground. We saw everything.
At home, Bill had a moment with his mother (Ann Dowd), who continued to attempt to foster a sense of positivity even in the darkest of moments. Bill, through with his mother’s ways, finally exploded. He’s been sleepwalking ever since she moved to town, an ailment from his younger years that reflects his abusive childhood and the scarring caused by incompetent parenting. His mother is looking to move forward, reminding him that the past is dead and buried, but even Bill knows that emotional damage can last a lifetime. He’s inherited his mother’s keen ability to hide her head in the sand, and tonight, he hates himself for it.
The next day, Bill spoke with his wife regarding the future. His “doctor’s tone” was back in fine form, and Libby was absolutely spent, refusing to even acknowledge his frigid pleas for them to discontinue their attempts to conceive. Bill would, in turn, have a moment with Scully, who set aside the strains of their friendship to offer his sincere condolences. Bill, who’d had a bit of an emotional break with his mother, offered a sincere apology back.
To close this recap, Episode 5 of Masters of Sex ended with a moment between Virginia and Bill. Virginia, refusing to accept the trivial orders barked at her as though nothing had transpired the night before, inevitably ended up lending a shoulder to cry on. Bill blamed himself for the devastation, citing his lack of total investment in the idea of a child as the reason why she’d passed away. Virginia, reminding Bill that, while powerful, he is not God, would close her eyes per Bill’s request as he cried in agony.
What did you think of Masters of Sex, Season 1 Episode 5, “Catherine”? Did this provide a significant breakthrough for Bill as a character in your eyes, or do you still see him as primarily cold prior to damaged? Has Ethan redeemed himself? Wasn’t Caitlin Fitzgerald’s work this week fantastic?
Thanks for reading my Recap and Review of Masters of Sex, Season 1 Episode 5, “Catherine”!
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