BWW Recap: MASTERS OF SEX Learns About Guests, Including Christian Borle

This week's MASTERS OF SEX benefited from two stand-out guest stars - Betsy Brandt and Christian Borle. That's not to say that our lead characters gave any less than they usually do, but these two, and their storylines, really gave punch-you-in-the-gut-fantastic performances.

Showtime touted this episode as the one that really brings the triangle between Libby, Bill, and Virginia to the forefront, but I don't think it did that. Did they address the trio and their entanglement together? Yes. In fact, Virginia is beginning to feel some guilt after visiting Dr. Madden under the pretense of helping Barbara. In wanting to help Barbara face her psychological problems, Virginia's getting a little free psychiatric advice of her own. She seems to have an epiphany right in that chair when she says she doesn't think she's causing a problem between Bill and Libby because she had no intention of taking him from her.

But boom! The look on her face says it all and it tells me, "But I am taking him from her." And there begins the guilt spiral she maintains for the entirety of the episode.

The most interesting points of this episode were learning more about Virginia and Bill as individuals. Frank's presence, and the way that Bill reacts to him, allows us to know more about Bill and his history. The Alcoholics Anonymous meeting was a glance into Frank and Bill's childhood, and it clearly deeply affected Bill (understatement of the day). Frank ambushing Bill at his office was revelatory. Bill thought his father's abuse stopped when he left the house. He thought he was the problem. However, his brother's presence makes him realize that, no, the abuse continued and Frank endured it as well. Frank's problems with alcohol stemmed from the abuse and abandonment he'd endured.

Frank's speech in A.A. was as much heartfelt as it was true. You can hear his sincerity and his pain and how much he wants his brother to see how he's recovered. Bill doesn't see it yet. The speech in the office makes that very clear.

In the other doctor's office featured in the episode, ultimately, Virginia's visits to Dr. Madden don't really help her. Instead of confronting metaphorical demons, Barbara is confronting actual ones - her brother. She ends up taking the blame for her own sexual abuse, Virginia's help backfiring in her face.

Libby continues to find her own way, and takes a sort-of secondary place in this episode. She's there to listen to Frank's wife (played by the wonderfully talented Marin Ireland) and her story about how they fell in love, how she missed the signs of his alcohol abuse, and how it relates just a little bit to Libby's current relationship with Bill. She admires Virginia for her drive, and how she managed to get a job with Bill. This conversation only did more to do a number on Virginia's psyche, and the guilt she already feels. And finally, Libby is starting to find her own way and volunteers to help Robert's civil rights organization. She's discovering a life without Bill, and she's doing really well, if I say so myself.

The long conversation between Bill and Virginia in their hotel room was outstanding. It was one of the few times in the entire show that they approached each other, and their feelings, honestly...well, they come close to talking about their feelings. Virginia talks about her feelings and we're left with Bill trying to justify their participation in the study. The entire speech, I'm shouting, "No! No, Virginia! Don't let him get away with this!"

She asks whose dysfunction they're helping and trying to heal? "Mine." Say "MINE," Bill. His. His sexual dysfunction. He'd used Lester to try to figure out the cure for impotence, but with Lester's lack of participation, it falls to Bill. And once again, just like that, Virginia's participation in their study went from about 50% at the beginning of the speech to a full 100%.

You'd think I was complaining about Virginia wanting to find her way out of the study, but I'm not complaining at all. I think she just wants to approach it from the standpoint of their relationship, their personal relationship away from their work. Yes, I definitely want to see more of that. Bill is the one who is not ready to see it like that. Not yet. But, eventually, I'm hoping. Have to save something for Season Three of this wonderful show, right? And, again, kudos to Christian Borle for his wonderful portrayal of Francis Masters. His subtle performance makes for really great television that makes me want to want more. Betsy Brandt's emotional breakdown on the exam table was painful to watch but masterfully done and made me tear right up! Stay on this show forever, you two.

What was the most appealing part of this episode for you? Was it the exploration into Virginia and Bill's relationship? Was it Frank and his encouraging Bill to face his demons? Was it Virginia and her escalating guilt? Let me know!

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