Welcome to the ’60s, a time for sexual awakening and the ever-unfolding drama in this Showtime masterpiece.
In the Season Three premiere of Master of Sex, entitled “Parliament of Owls,” we jump ahead four years since the season finale. Now, we see the progress in Virginia (Lizzy Caplan) and William’s (Michael Sheen) work, along with the family developments of both the Masters and Johnson households.
Even in its third year, Masters of Sex has not stop its astounding work as one of the best dramas out there on television to date. The show is like a fine wine, only getting better with age, thanks hugely in part to the incredible performances from both Caplan and Sheen who handle their performances in an effortless way as if they were born to play these parts.
Along with the graceful acting on the show, the direction and writing really elevate the show to an untouchable level as the show to watch in the upcoming Emmy race.
While the show may rely on a bit too much drama at times, it doesn’t overshadow the illuminating presence of the show as a whole. This is a rare thing nowadays. Television dramas tend to put much more emphasis on being a high class soap opera than actually sticking to the material at hand and letting the actors in their roles shine on their own finding their own ways to add drama in places that call for it.
In this episode we really get see a showcase of heartfelt performances, as each actor really shine in their roles. They’ve all become extremely comfortable in over the course of the three seasons, making the performances even more realistic and believable as it draws you in. You can also really see the drive and passion each character portrays in scenes that call for that particular passion and drive, with great praise given to Sheen and Caplan as the power team of the series.
Sheen and Caplan really propel the series forward, in both the acting and drama departments. They both shine in their roles, adding necessary realistic drama in scenes that really make you feel for their characters without expecting a mustached villain to pop up sometime in the near future, and the chemistry between the two is undeniable as they really master the Masters doing them justice in every sense of the word.
Special mention to Caitlin Fitzgerald who plays the current wife of William Masters, Libby, who really makes the role her own as a lonely wife who has had enough, and has really added a sense of depth to the character that I had not yet seen in past seasons.
The writing and directing has also maintained its pristine standards and really moves the story along in terms of drama and history. It really gives an in depth look at the sexual revolution, through the eyes of the Masters and all who come into company with them, and tells a story that is worth watching.
All in all, the episode is one of the greats and shows that the Masters of sex aren’t going anywhere, besides the Emmy carpet at least. As long as the show continues its excellence in writing, directing, and acting this season has nothing to worry about and will surely make its mark as one of the better shows to come out on television to date. Proving that while they may be the Masters of Sex, they soon may become the Masters of Television as well.
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Laura Dengrove is the one of youngest members of the Pop-Break staff and is a critic for television/movies of all types on Pop-Break. She’s going into her second year at college where she will be studying to obtain her bachelors degree at Rutgers University for Journalism/Public Relations. She was the editor for the Arts and Entertainment section of her school newspaper, runs her own blog (Pop Culture Darling), and interns for Design New Jersey. She also has an in-depth knowledge about all things True Blood and an avid Eric and Sookie shipper.
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