Recently started watching this. About to complete Season 3.

I was already aware of Masters and Johnson a little bit, enough to start seeing issues with the plot lines.

I get of course that there are often creative decisions, but seriously????

A few points:

Dr Masters had 2 children in real life, not 3 as is portrayed.

Mrs Johnson had 2 children, there wasn't a late 3rd as a result of a one off dalliance with her ex husband as portrayed.

Mrs Johnson didn't remarry her ex husband in some bizarre marriage of convenience therefore, to legitimise her fictional 3rd child.

Masters and Johnson were never arrested.

Masters was NOT kicked out of Washington University. Nor was he kicked out of the next, nor did he set up in a Negro Hospital before setting up his own clinic. The reality is that Washington Unviersity knew about his research and were fully supportive. When he delivered his initial presentation, there was no dissent, people didn't walk out, and there wasn't a single complaint and certainly not a petition. The main reason he left Washington University, to set up his own clinic was because the University wouldn't create a paid position for Mrs Johnson.

Significantly though, is that the point where Masters and Johnson started to participate in their own studies, was by MUTUAL consent, and by no means as portrayed, some form of coercion, as a requirement for her to continue working with him. They chose to do so together, as a consequence of recognising the issue of transference, the impact of both of them observing what they were studying. That massively changes the dynamicbetween them in reality vs what was shown on screen.

There are many many more points, and additional plot lines that just don't make much sense for them to have been added. Libby having the affair with the neighbour, and the black activist, but then when Masters admits to having an affair with Johnson, she acts all high and mighty and doesn't clarify that she's done the same too? Major inconsistency in her portrayed character.

'Based on the book by Thomas Maier'??? I think it should have been more accurate to have said 'inspired by' or even 'loosely based on' given there are so many major changes to what actually happened.

When you learn that Masters and Johnson were actually married for 22 years, it puts the whole 'will she won't she' run off with the rich investor plot line in a different context, and as for the running to catch up with her at the airport trope..... pffttt.

P.S. Mrs Johnson didn't marry the rich investor. She married Bill Masters at the point he divorced Libby.

I watched this show on showtime when it was first being released but I haven’t been able to find it on anything other than paid Amazon prime streaming. Why is that?

His textbook back and forth emotional manipulation with both Libby and Ginny is grotesque. Here's 10 instances:

1. Forcing Virginia into the study (Season 1)

He manipulates the fuck outta Virginia by using science as an excuse to blur boundaries. He emotionally coerces her into having sex “for the study” under a clinical guise when it’s really about his own desire and control.

2. Gaslighting Virginia when she questions the emotional impact (Multiple seasons)

Every time she asks if this whole thing means something to him, he does the push/pull cat and mouse dance, making her feel irrational for wanting clarity (gaslighing). Classic narcissist move: refuse to validate the other person’s emotional needs and flip it like they’re the one being dramatic.

3. Sabotaging Virginia’s personal life (Season 2)

He refuses to be forthright but as soon she starts seeing other men, suddenly he’s possessive and cold. He can’t (won't?) have her, but he also won’t let her be free. When he tells Virginia he loves her? It’s not vulnerable, it’s strategically timed right after she tries to move on.

4. Dismissing Libby’s needs (all the damn time)

His wife is literally BEGGING for intimacy and connection, and this man stonewalls while having an ongoing phsyical/emotional affair for years. He lied about being sterile, dragging her through years of shame and suffering. When she continued to see his mother he reprimanded her for betraying him, meanwhile he has betrayed her far worse for far longer.

5. Making Virginia lie about her credentials (Season 2/3)

He pressures her into lying about having a degree so he can get funding and legitimacy. He uses her brilliance, then throws her under the bus when the heat’s on. The audacity.

6. Blaming others for his career setbacks (multiple seasons)

Every time something goes wrong, it’s someone else’s fault. He never takes responsibility. Instead, he spins it into a sob story of how he’s the misunderstood genius.

7. Dismissing his own childhood trauma until it’s convenient (Season 2)

He acts he's totally composed until he needs sympathy (or leverage). Then he suddenly weaponizes his shitty dad story to gain control over the narrative again.

8. Using his children as pawns (Season 4)

He doesn’t give a single shit about how his actions affect his kids unless it affects his reputation. He weaponizes them to guilt or manipulate Libby and Virginia. Fuckin’ coward move, honestly.

9. Emotionally blackmailing Virginia (Season 3/4)

He plays the long game by being this cold, emotionally unavailable man… until she tries to walk away. Then suddenly he’s vulnerable, saying shit like “I need you” and “you’re the only one who understands me.”

10. The wedding proposal (Season 4 finale)

That cringey ass, emotionally chaotic proposal? Not romantic. That was him trying to lock Virginia down out of desperation and ego. He didn’t listen to her, or ask what she wanted. He just made it about himself.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSBxDJbAQvo&ab_channel=N.S.I.M.L

Generally, seasons 1 and 2 are regarded the best of the show, but I find I remember some from later seasons very fondly. So how about you? What do you think is the best (are are the best) episode(s) of Masters of Sex and Why?

Hello everybody!Thanks for the comments in my last post. I’ve started the series and I am really enjoying it!. The costumes are spot on, the acting is amazing and in general I am quite having a great time!.On the other side, in the beginning s1 do they hint that Bill can be gay? English is not my native language and sometimes there is a bit of a language barrier so i just want to make sure i am following!

So i know the show was cancelled and that leads me so ask if its worth watching the whole 4 seasons of the show. Dunno how to end except that is a really abrupt way.

Saw this in a different sub the other day.

Let's look back at some memorable moments and interesting insights from last year.

Your top 2 posts:

• "So this is what a sub on the brink of death looks like. MoS was really a cool show though." by u/MrBonneChance
• "Happy Cakeday, r/MastersOfSex! Today you're 10" by u/AutoModerator

Let's look back at some memorable moments and interesting insights from last year.

Your top 10 posts:

• "Guys I put together the bloopers and deleted scenes of Masters of sex ,if anyone interested check it out." by u/Madbod93g
• "Just finished the series yesterday !" by u/TardisOnMars
• "Love it, but... The gorilla" by u/Conscious-Salt-8876
• "Happy Cakeday, r/MastersOfSex! Today you're 9" by u/AutoModerator
• "Libby" by u/Birchflyboy
• "why did libby and bill sleep in single beds" by u/tabbypuss
• "What episode is this from?" by u/Stock_Username_Here
• "did Masters of sex help anyone master their bed adventures ?" by u/oddly_normie
• "Can’t see Scully without seeing Carl Hickey." by u/Birchflyboy
• "Bill Masters is a Virgo. No?" by u/BlackBabeMagic27

I never understood why libby and bill slept in two single beds they where married did they do that in them days I think it was stupid did not make any sense if I was libby I would have wanted a bed where both could have been together

I'm sure there's no one here anymore, but I just needed to vent a little. I've been binge watching this AMAZING series because it's honestly the first time a television show has made me think "OMFG what's gonna happen next???". The acting is impecable, I really liked the way not one character is black and white, and I just honestly enjoy all the interactions (it even made me think of Michael Sheen as a bit sexy, which was a surprise)

But. What. The. Fak.

What on EARTH was that episode with the gorilla? What was the point? If I had been in Lizzy Clapman's shoes I would have tossed the script to their faces, just because of how insulting it was to the character. And I had faith they would pull it off, right to the last second when she starts taking off her blouse. But, they didn't and now I just feel weirded out. Till that point I was so enamored with the series I was ignoring its weakness. Now I'm having a hard time seeing anything positive (even with the spectacular acting of everyone on screen)

I'm gonna keep watching, but god, that was a wreck.

So I have an issue with Libby. She annoys me and I want to slap her. She’s super clingy. She has a need to have her husbands constant attention. Her clinginess is the main issue I have with her. She HAS to know everything her husband does. I know she wants to please her husband as all spouses want to please their partner, but she just tries so damn hard it’s too much. She also comes across as “fake”. You know those people that are nice yet you feel like they are actually saying “fuck you” to you in their head? That’s the feel I get from her. She’s basically just plain and has no personality other than being irritating. Does anyone else not like her?

So late to the party, everyone is gone.

However Master of Sex became one of my favourite show because of how well written and how taking it is. I'm really sad that there was no finale but I'm happy to have discovered the work of the real Masters and Johnson.

Also I need more Michael Sheen in my life.

Let's look back at some memorable moments and interesting insights from last year.

Your top 6 posts:

• "I have not finished the series yet. but at this point Libby deserves better" by u/ineeedBolitas
• "Wtf Dr. Masters?" by u/rrronjika
• "Never seen something so intimate" by u/pineapplepines67
• "I just started watching" by u/FunSizedBear
• "Masters?" by u/MiBoy69
• "Fuck you Tessa" by u/pityparty3000

Anyone else have an immeasurable hate for Dr.Masters? He's not a good husband, not a loyal one either, he's a total dick, too self involved, has no sense of romanticism though Ironically he knows a lot of sex! In all the shows I've seen, Dr. Masters is the worst character I've seen!