BWW Recap: MASTERS OF SEX Bill and Virginia - Check Your Local Listings

This was yet another great build-up episode of MASTERS OF SEX and ended with a bang! Let's talk about it.

The entire episode had taken a look at various storylines, giving us a hint of what's to come, but never giving us the bigger picture. The storylines that were a constant were the topic of Bill's impotence and Virginia's desire to help him and the heated confrontation between Bill and Frank. I think this episode did a fantastic job with balancing Virginia and Bill. There was a noticeable balance between Virginia and Bill at the hotel and Virginia and Bill at the office. Bill urged Virginia to help him heal his dysfunction and promised they'd go back to their work, admitting their hotel trysts had turned personal. He was honest with her about his sexual dysfunction and he was intent on curing it for himself and for his fellow sufferers.

In the office, Bill and Virginia focus on how they're going to be known as the pioneers of their study. Unfortunately, another doctor's study was featured in an important medical journal first and Bill wouldn't stand for it. In his desperation, he hired someone named Tally to act as their PR man and he suggested they appear on television. Though Bill didn't want either one of them to be a novelty piece appearing right before "Mr. Magoo," Virginia convinces him that having a large audience will enable them to help more people. He reluctantly agrees.

One of the most highly charged scenes came right in the last 10 minutes of the show. I love a show that lulls you into a false sense of comfort before - bam! It knocks the wind out of you. Earlier in the episode, Bill and Estabrooks discuss Frank, mocking him for the steps he takes in Alcoholics Anonymous. Later, she gets into a car accident and Frank calls her an alcoholic. It sets Bill off and they have a rough confrontation in Bill's lobby. It was intense. It was the confrontation that had been coming for the past three episodes. Bill's never tolerated Frank's own understanding of his problems. Bill's never accepted his brother's acceptance of their family problems. Bill's never seen Frank's self-healing as beneficial but as a detriment and looked at his forgiveness with disbelief. He made it clear in this episode exactly what he thought of Frank and called him "weak." Unable to take the verbal abuse, Frank reacted with violence and gave Bill a few hard punches with Bill goading him on. I believe Bill became his father in that moment and Frank saw him as that and released his aggressions on him. Christian Borle played the scene so well with increasing emotions throughout, his face often hidden in the shadows as if we weren't allowed to see Francis, Bill's brother, but instead see Francis, Bill's father. I hope this isn't the last we see of him! It was intense and then it was over as quickly as it had begun.

The episode ends with a fantastic scenes that is demonstrative of what makes this show so great. Michael Sheen and Lizzy Caplan are so wonderful in these moments where they can convey so much without words. While Bill was screaming and laughing at his brother, I was shaking my head and saying, "Wow. What a jerk." I used more colorful language than that. But then in this quiet in tender moments where it's just Virginia and Bill being so close and intimate in their silence, instant forgiveness! And things get heated between both Bill and Virginia quickly, curing him of his impotence. This might be temporary or it might be permanent. I'm not sure. He was so heated and engaged by that fight that his body might be recognizing that energy but it's yet to be seen.

Meanwhile, Libby is becoming even more involved with the CORE group she's volunteering with. She's even going a step further by volunteering to do more, canvas a building to convince them to stop paying rent so the tenants could strike. Robert is leading a very admirable cause, wanting to fight for more rights for the black citizens of the city. Libby seems very, very drawn to the cause and maybe even to Robert. I'm just speculating but I have a feeling that this is where their relationship is leading. Libby is still finding out who she is apart from a wife and mother and she's gaining that life experience doing this work. I'm curious if it's all going to come to a head between Libby and Bill. I'd love to see that happen.

There's also a budding romance with Lester and Barbara. Fans have called them... Barbster? Lestera? Well, I'm sure MASTERS OF SEX fans will figure out something but what they are is bonding over their shared sexual dysfunctions. It's great to see them connecting and I hope they become the adorable eccentric couple they're meant to be.

Finally, we have Austin and his boss at Cal-O-Metrics... isn't this sexual harassment? Either way, where are they going with this line other than the consistent humiliation of Austin who was once St. Louis's leading lothario?

What did you guys think of this episode? Do Bill and Virginia still have a ridiculous amount of chemistry together? Will Bill make up with his brother? Is Libby falling for Robert? Let me know in comments!

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