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      Season 1 – Masters of Sex

      2013 Romance History Drama List
      90% Tomatometer 59 Reviews 91% Audience Score 500+ Ratings William Masters and Virginia Johnson are known as pioneers of the science of human sexuality. Their research shoots them to fame on a trajectory that takes them from humble beginnings in the Midwest to the cover of Time magazine. Masters is a brilliant scientist who is out of touch with his own feelings. Johnson is a divorced mother who is ahead of her time on many fronts, including her determination to have a meaningful career. The pair's relationship isn't just professional, as it evolves into a three-way "marriage" with Masters' wife, Libby. "Masters of Sex" is based on Thomas Maier's book of the same name, which profiled the pair. Read More Read Less Watch on Fandango at Home Buy Now

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      Masters of Sex — Season 1

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      Masters of Sex — Season 1

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      Critics Consensus

      Seductive and nuanced, Masters of Sex features smart performances, deft direction, and impeccable period decor.

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      Critics Reviews

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      Alan Sepinwall Uproxx A refreshing anomaly: a prestige cable drama that doesn't feel like a recombination of elements from 15 shows that came before it. Jan 17, 2019 Full Review Allison Keene Collider Cue the drama. Even without the tits, this is going to be good. Rated: B Jan 17, 2019 Full Review Judy Berman Flavorwire Masters of Sex is a promising and often captivating show that hasn't quite found its voice yet, but also has avoided making any mistakes it can't recover from. Sep 21, 2017 Full Review Roth Cornet IGN Movies Each character is afforded a rich psychology, and the cast is more than up to the task of bringing these fascinating, nuanced creatures to life. Masters of Sex reflects just as much about the time it takes place in as it does our world, today. Rated: 8/10 Jan 17, 2019 Full Review Jasper Rees The Arts Desk Michael Sheen measures sexual response in Fifties America with promising results. Jul 23, 2018 Full Review Anthony Morris The Big Issue (Australia) Simply by taking sex seriously, Masters of Sex cracks open a whole new world. Rated: 4/5 Aug 15, 2017 Full Review Read all reviews

      Audience Reviews

      View All (29) audience reviews
      Laura S Michael Sheen has forever been ruined for me. "Tonight I need to reacquaint myself with your body. I will touch every part of you. I will put my mouth on you. I will spread your legs." Jesus. The way he mesmerisingly commands not only the attention of Caplan's character but the viewer's... I'll never ever be able to see Sheen in other, even if goofy, roles without creaming my pants. Hot DAMN. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/03/24 Full Review Dom This show isn't that good frankly. I originally wanted to watch this show, thinking that it was a BBC-style dramatization of real historical events, but what I ended up watching was a pornographic version of something which had a lot of potential. The show is a long and utter drag, soap opera-esque in many instances, the same cliches being used season after season. Season 1 was where the directors at least half-heartedly tried to tie historical reality to their show, which does not work due to psychopathic characters we are supposed to root for, crappy side characters, and too much nudity (this show definitely gives Game of Thrones a run for its money, in fact it overblows Game of Thrones in that category!). The first episode of season one is the best episode of the series, hands down, but after that, it gradually goes downhill until the absolute disaster of season 2 (where the directors almost completely gave up on the main premise of the film) before it slightly rises until the end (although I gave up watching in the middle of season 2 and went for the recaps at the beginning of each following episode instead). Every character that the director wants you to like (even the director doesn't know which character he or she wants you to sympathize with) are all bipolar assholes in this. So, this show had a lot of potential but it was plagued from the start by terrible screenwriters, bizarre subplots, and so much nudity that it almost completely distracts you from the terribly long pacing of the plot. Watch the first season (plus recaps) and spare yourself the time if you are in fact interested in this show, or just read the book. P.S. Actually, after having watched bits of Mad Men and Das Boot, even in its state, I think elements of this TV series stands up above those two series. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 08/21/23 Full Review Davide l Refreshing, all the way into season 4. Glad to find at least one painfully brief reference to Wilhelm Reich's work and his tragic fate at the hands of the "FBI" in season 2, episode 10. It's a clue to a much wider contextual perspective which intellectual honesty demands, the man having given his life for his work on the same topic and beyond, going too far for the powers that shouldn't be. That makes this all the more enjoyable rather than leaving a bitter taste in the mouth of false portrayal of the public discourse on the matter of human motions and emotions, individual and collective... Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/23/22 Full Review Audience Member Great performances from actors and also gave insightful insight to subject matter. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 01/09/23 Full Review the s Here's the problem with this series: it's fairly well written, very well acted but Dr. William Masters is written in such a flawed way that it sucks the oxygen out of the entire story. The movie version portrayed Masters as an inquisitive, naive, awkward physician. This series portrays him as a bitter, tyrannical, cold and petty man. And I can't speak from a biographical standpoint but I'm guessing no doctor would make any real strides in any kind of research (let alone sexual) if he was as difficult, cantankerous and argumentative as the character makes him out to be. There's clinical (as most physicians are) and then there is just downright unlikable and miserable. Creative license dictates that writers get to take some liberties with character development...they could have made the doctor complex and deep and challenging without making him an unbearable, miserable man. It's a case of one bad apple spoiling the whole lot. The character is such a gross part of the story that it genuinely removes any curiosity I have about his story, his life or indeed, this story. To be fair, I'm only 4 episodes in and Johnson's story arc is compelling and interesting but Dr. Steven's makes me want to turn the story off completely. I imagine he changes as a character but honestly right now I can't fathom how this series has made it to a second season let alone 3 additional seasons. Lesson to writers: you can creat very difficult and complex characters...even really evil, disgusting characters without writing them as massive, intolerable a-holes. Look at some of the classic TV dramas...the landscape of the history of the best shows ever made for television...they all have bad guys and protagonists and antagonists...hell, look at Gus from Breaking Bad: the guy was as evil as a character can be written but he was compelling and complex and not written as someone you couldn't bear to be around or listen to. That's what the writers did to the character of Dr Stevens in this series. And as the main character, nothing else really matters. If your lead characters are so unlikeable that you can't make it through the first several episodes, the writers have failed...ratings be damned, this is not an enjoyable series to watch because the main character is written the way a 3rd grader would draw an evil monster: all heavy hands and no subtlety or complexity. Update: after watching the full series, I am stumped as to how high the scores and ratings are. The story itself and the editing style makes it feel like a soap opera. And I feel like that says it all. The acting is incredible...there isn't even room for improvement in that regard. Honestly. All-star cast that really goes the distance. I can't help but wonder what this cast could do if they had a solid script with better writing. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 03/30/23 Full Review Audience Member Slow, but grows on you and tells an incredible true story. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/09/23 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

      Cast & Crew

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      Episodes

      Episode 1 Aired Sep 28, 2013 Pilot Dr. William Masters runs a successful medical practice and conducts a secret study of human sexuality; a former nightclub singer proves to be an asset to Masters' work. Details Episode 2 Aired Oct 6, 2013 Race to Space Johnson considers her best course of action; although Masters blames Johnson, he needs her to manage the chaos of doing the study at a cathouse. Details Episode 3 Aired Oct 13, 2013 Standard Deviation When research at the brothel creates inaccurate data, Masters resolves to get the study back to the hospital; Libby tries to conceive; Dr. Haas gets the case of a lifetime. Details Episode 4 Aired Oct 20, 2013 Thank You for Coming Masters and Johnson recruit new participants; Johnson's ex-husband wants to sign up; Libby tries to play matchmaker. Details Episode 5 Aired Oct 27, 2013 Catherine Masters and Johnson include couples in the study; Johnson tries to connect with her son; Masters is anxious about becoming a father. Details Episode 6 Aired Nov 3, 2013 Brave New World Libby and Masters rest in Miami; Virginia and Jane try to debunk Freud's theory about female orgasms; Langham finds a cure for his sexual dysfunction. Details Episode 7 Aired Nov 10, 2013 All Together Now Masters and Johnson participate in the study; Libby pressures Dr. Haas to resume her fertility treatments; Margaret confronts her husband. Details Episode 8 Aired Nov 17, 2013 Love and Marriage Masters and Johnson decide to film the study; Johnson works on her college degree; Haas and Langham consider the merits of marriage; Scully takes drastic steps. Details Episode 9 Aired Nov 24, 2013 Involuntary Masters and Johnson must convince Lester and Jane that the footage will not be pornography; Haas and Vivian's plans for a wedding are diverted; Libby keeps her pregnancy a secret. Details Episode 10 Aired Dec 1, 2013 Fallout The hospital takes part in a civil defense drill; a former participant reveals her pregnancy; Masters and Johnson butt heads; Haas has been denied a future job at the hospital; Margaret seeks answers. Details Episode 11 Aired Dec 8, 2013 Phallic Victories Masters accepts Libby's offer of help; Johnson and Dr. DePaul attend a medical convention; Virgina's ex-husband finds Ethan with his children. Details Episode 12 Aired Dec 15, 2013 Manhigh Masters presents his findings; the doctors do not respond to the orgasm footage as Masters hopes; Haas considers a job offer; Scully pursues electroshock treatment. Details

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      Season Info

      Director
      Jennifer Getzinger, Michael Dinner, Michael Apted, John Madden, Lawrence Trilling, Phil Abraham, Tim Fywell, Lesli Linka Glatter
      Executive Producer
      Michelle Ashford, Sarah Timberman, Carl Beverly, Judith Verno
      Screenwriter
      Michelle Ashford, Sam Shaw, Amy Lippman, Noelle Valdivia, Tyler Bensinger, Michael Cunningham, Lyn Greene, Richard Levine
      Network
      Showtime
      Rating
      TV-MA (L|S|V)
      Genre
      Romance, History, Drama
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date
      Sep 28, 2013