I have reserved any review of Masters of Sex (M.O.S) season three until the final episode of the season had aired. To give any opinions prior would be premature and unfair, like judging a book chapter by chapter. Full disclosure, I am a writer, of fiction and poetry mostly and my approach to the show has always been from a writing perspective first and a viewer second.
My draw to the show was threefold, Thomas Maier's book on which the show is based, Michael Sheen, and Lizzy Caplan, two of the finest actors to bring characters, both real-life and fictional, to life. It is nothing short of extraordinary, the bravery and honesty with which Sheen and Caplan bring forth Masters and Johnson. From the first episode of the show, I was hooked. Few shows can brag this caliber of acting and writing.
There is not one episode in seasons one or two I did not like. All episodes seemed to move the story forward and reveal more about the characters, even the more fictionalized episodes that were necessary to fill the gaps beyond what the facts revealed. I do have one question about the Lillian DePaul character played by the amazing Julianne Nicholson. I have not found this character to be based on any real person. And while I loved the relationship between DePaul and Johnson, I am wondering why the writers chose to put Johnson through such grief? Did DePaul have to die? Why write her cancer as so advanced? Some lesser shows have used tragedy and trauma of female characters as a cheap ploy to make such characters seem more sympathetic, vulnerable, or build them up stronger. I don't think that is the case with M.O.S.
Season three began strong. The first three episodes were incredible, even as I understand the writers were left scrambling due to a legal issue. I am convinced there is nothing Amy Lippman cannot write and no scene Michael Apted cannot direct. In fact, dare I say these two should be the only ones on the show working their respective craft? However, I do look forward to the day when under "Directed by" is Michael Sheen, and Lizzy Caplan.
However, season three has disappointed for a number of reasons, none of which have to do with Josh Charles's character Dan Logan. Anyone who has read the book Masters of Sex knows the real Virginia Johnson had a relationship with a man named Hank on which the character Dan Logan is based.
Season three is when Johnson also begins a major sea change. In real life she was a very confident woman, in her faculties and abilities as a researcher, in her sexuality and as a woman. She was also very hopeful, exuberant and socially adept. Though after many setbacks, lost loves, and most of all failing to acquire her college degree and fearing people would not take her seriously as a result, she became very disillusioned and cold. The beginning of Johnson's slide is not so much disappointing, as again I've read the book, as it is sad to watch such an incredible woman of such poise and confidence lose her nerve and joy.
There's also the conspicuous fact that, aside from Henry Johnson, Virginia Johnson's children seem to vanish mid-season. Is Tessa watching baby Lisa? Is George watching them both? What's happening here?
The real disappointments I'm afraid may have more to do with the show runner, Michelle Ashford and her decisions regarding the shows directions. One the most upsetting and frankly utterly ridiculous episodes was "Monkey Business," the one in which Johnson exposes herself to a gorilla to entice him to mate. This not only came out of left field, but I'd like to know what the hell kind of field Ashford was sitting in when she wrote this episode, poppies perhaps? This was the antithesis of a show largely about a woman (Virginia Johnson) who is ahead of her time and is a feminist role model. And, even in a fictive world, what a degrading scene for Caplan. The story line made no sense and neither furthered the story nor revealed more about any of the characters.
Finally, the last two episodes, "Party of Four," and "Full Ten Count," were so far off the mark, in particular, the latter. The former was a fantastic demonstration of people not saying the truth and engaging in an awkward dance of words at the dinner. I love those scenes. The scenes at the Masters' house, particularly the detective's line of questioning, perhaps the writers' efforts to create a suspenseful ending, was unnecessary and cheap, a hasty and substandard way to create a finale.
Then the finale, "Ten Full Count," or a better title would be the "Unfulfilling Hour of Circling Back." Nothing happens. Literally, nothing happens. Last year's finally? We got a book, a press conference, and found out that Virginia was pregnant thanks to Lizzy Caplan's remarkable ability to convey an idea or emotion with a single look or a subtle nod.
I am so pleased Showtime has renewed Masters of Sex for a fourth season and I hope they will continue to renew it for many years to come. I'm excited for the show to get back on track to the glory of its first two seasons, to the foundation of the book, and to revealing the real lives of Masters and Johnson, two people who were so innovative and courageous, they really don't need any ploys or stunts with which to tell their incredible story. To Michael Sheen, Lizzy Caplan, Amy Lippman, Sarah Timberman and Michael Apted, cheers!
My draw to the show was threefold, Thomas Maier's book on which the show is based, Michael Sheen, and Lizzy Caplan, two of the finest actors to bring characters, both real-life and fictional, to life. It is nothing short of extraordinary, the bravery and honesty with which Sheen and Caplan bring forth Masters and Johnson. From the first episode of the show, I was hooked. Few shows can brag this caliber of acting and writing.
There is not one episode in seasons one or two I did not like. All episodes seemed to move the story forward and reveal more about the characters, even the more fictionalized episodes that were necessary to fill the gaps beyond what the facts revealed. I do have one question about the Lillian DePaul character played by the amazing Julianne Nicholson. I have not found this character to be based on any real person. And while I loved the relationship between DePaul and Johnson, I am wondering why the writers chose to put Johnson through such grief? Did DePaul have to die? Why write her cancer as so advanced? Some lesser shows have used tragedy and trauma of female characters as a cheap ploy to make such characters seem more sympathetic, vulnerable, or build them up stronger. I don't think that is the case with M.O.S.
Season three began strong. The first three episodes were incredible, even as I understand the writers were left scrambling due to a legal issue. I am convinced there is nothing Amy Lippman cannot write and no scene Michael Apted cannot direct. In fact, dare I say these two should be the only ones on the show working their respective craft? However, I do look forward to the day when under "Directed by" is Michael Sheen, and Lizzy Caplan.
However, season three has disappointed for a number of reasons, none of which have to do with Josh Charles's character Dan Logan. Anyone who has read the book Masters of Sex knows the real Virginia Johnson had a relationship with a man named Hank on which the character Dan Logan is based.
Season three is when Johnson also begins a major sea change. In real life she was a very confident woman, in her faculties and abilities as a researcher, in her sexuality and as a woman. She was also very hopeful, exuberant and socially adept. Though after many setbacks, lost loves, and most of all failing to acquire her college degree and fearing people would not take her seriously as a result, she became very disillusioned and cold. The beginning of Johnson's slide is not so much disappointing, as again I've read the book, as it is sad to watch such an incredible woman of such poise and confidence lose her nerve and joy.
There's also the conspicuous fact that, aside from Henry Johnson, Virginia Johnson's children seem to vanish mid-season. Is Tessa watching baby Lisa? Is George watching them both? What's happening here?
The real disappointments I'm afraid may have more to do with the show runner, Michelle Ashford and her decisions regarding the shows directions. One the most upsetting and frankly utterly ridiculous episodes was "Monkey Business," the one in which Johnson exposes herself to a gorilla to entice him to mate. This not only came out of left field, but I'd like to know what the hell kind of field Ashford was sitting in when she wrote this episode, poppies perhaps? This was the antithesis of a show largely about a woman (Virginia Johnson) who is ahead of her time and is a feminist role model. And, even in a fictive world, what a degrading scene for Caplan. The story line made no sense and neither furthered the story nor revealed more about any of the characters.
Finally, the last two episodes, "Party of Four," and "Full Ten Count," were so far off the mark, in particular, the latter. The former was a fantastic demonstration of people not saying the truth and engaging in an awkward dance of words at the dinner. I love those scenes. The scenes at the Masters' house, particularly the detective's line of questioning, perhaps the writers' efforts to create a suspenseful ending, was unnecessary and cheap, a hasty and substandard way to create a finale.
Then the finale, "Ten Full Count," or a better title would be the "Unfulfilling Hour of Circling Back." Nothing happens. Literally, nothing happens. Last year's finally? We got a book, a press conference, and found out that Virginia was pregnant thanks to Lizzy Caplan's remarkable ability to convey an idea or emotion with a single look or a subtle nod.
I am so pleased Showtime has renewed Masters of Sex for a fourth season and I hope they will continue to renew it for many years to come. I'm excited for the show to get back on track to the glory of its first two seasons, to the foundation of the book, and to revealing the real lives of Masters and Johnson, two people who were so innovative and courageous, they really don't need any ploys or stunts with which to tell their incredible story. To Michael Sheen, Lizzy Caplan, Amy Lippman, Sarah Timberman and Michael Apted, cheers!