Channel Surfing: Masters of Sex - "Pilot"

Left to right: Michael Sheen and Lizzy Caplan
Welcome to a new column called Channel Surfing, in which I sporadically look at current TV shows and talk about them. These are not ones that I care to write weekly recaps for and are instead reflections either on the episode, the series, or particular moments. This will hopefully help to share personal opinions as well as discover entertainment on the outer pantheon that I feel is well worth checking out, or in some cases, shows that are weird enough to talk about, but should never be seen.
Some great news was recently released regarding one of my upcoming anticipated shows of the fall. Maybe it was to create buzz, or at very least a way to counter program a debut alongside the series finale of Breaking Bad. Any way you fold it, Showtime has released the first episode of Masters of Sex on their website two weeks early. This technique is not necessarily new, but it does allow buzz to generate quicker than normal. Opening alongside Showtime's breakout hit Homeland, this new series will explore sex, but not just any type of sex.
The tagline reads that "Next time you have an orgasm, think of this man," which is referencing Dr. Masters (Michael Sheen), who revolutionized the way that society understands their sexual desires. Along with a relationship with his partner Virginia Johnson (Lizzy Caplan) the show promises that it will explore sex with all of the sincerity and clinical accuracy that a program can do. This isn't aiming to be softcore porn, while there is enough nudity to argue the case. No, this show is attempting to explore the sexual revolution of their studies, which just happens to involve watching people have sex.
The premise alone could suggest that it will be as smutty as Johnson's former boyfriend (Teddy Sears), but from "Pilot" alone, there is a suggestion that it is a taboo that audiences must get over. Much like aspects of Boardwalk Empire, Masters of Sex is about real people who did a real study that wasn't considered science. In many ways, this makes it an underdog story of a couple formed from understanding human sexuality and at very least a way to understand our desires. This is most notable in Sheen and Caplan's chemistry, which slowly evolves throughout the episode until the partnership gets thrown with the curveball of becoming their own test subjects. Chances are that means we'll see plenty of these two naked. Not full frontal naked, but just Showtime's version, which like boxing, is above the belt.




It is hard to not watch this show and get some sense of dirtiness. This is a show that is about sex, but more in the study than the action. We see Masters hiding in closets recording notes and people hooked up to machines to track their heart rate. While there is plenty of gyration and eroticism, it doesn't glorify it by using it as sexual stimulation for the audience. It may be tampered down a little bit, but it gives us what we need for the story to work. At very least, the use of nudity and sex in the pilot proves that the show has an unapologetic bent on the subject and wants to go at it with accuracy.
Even though sex is a frequently discussed topic, and one that Masters must come to terms with, it does raise the question that still seems to be a taboo. Why is sex considered to be so vile as a public subject? It is denied chances to be studied as a science because it is deemed too much of a pleasure. Characters ask each other how female orgasms are like. This show has an occasional cheeky, cheap joke about male sexual inadequacies, but they are sly and fit the story. The most popular scene of the pilot, involving a glass dildo, probably brings the most laughs simply by pointing out how weird it is.
This show's biggest attribute is the way it depicts sex. While I cannot attest to the accuracy of the details to history, there is something interesting with trying to turn it into a clinical drama. People are attached to machines and tests are being run. There is a lot to it that would probably be accepted if it was a medical drama about anything else. I feel like while the idea of sex is going to be this show's biggest struggle, I feel that it will be an admirable, interesting effort that covers the facts in ways that general audiences don't know.
I also feel like the chemistry between Caplan and Sheen have potential to move on. While these characters both have varying social issues to face, together they seem like a couple wanting to change the world for good. Even if they are only acquaintances in this episode, the information about either of them flows out effortlessly and by the end, their bond makes sense. The fact that there's exploration also about sexual orientation only makes me believe that this show will explore the whole universe, and potentially steamy relationship triangles.

Left to right: Caplan and Beau Bridges
As far as pilots go, Brooklyn Nine-Nine is still my favorite, though this is a close second. The program clocks in at an hour and my main concern is that it does take time to establish itself. It is slow at points to allow for exhibition of characters. Still, there is plenty of intrigue in the performances and the show doesn't seem to have issues discussing sex nonchalantly. Hopefully this show will improve upon the pilot, as I think that pacing is its only flaw. The costumes look great and somehow makes everyone more attractive without objectifying them. All it needs to do is get a better score mix, as the elevator music-light piano feel of the episode added nothing to the scenes.
I imagine that the boost of playing alongside Homeland will help Masters of Sex in the long run. Still, there is some odd feeling that I get that even if this is a historical drama, people will find it too smutty and cause conflicts. Then again, almost every HBO show has gotten away with gratuitous nudity before without too much backlash, so there's hope. As long as the show stays true to its premise and the characters continue to evolve without turning into soapy eroticism  I have faith that this show could be interesting. I doubt it will be as acclaimed as its peers by the public, but there's a good chance that with the captivating, beautiful performance by Caplan and Sheen, we will at least have a season of challenging, sexual programming to remember for the fall 2013 season.

Comments