Ep 1. Season Premiere

Masters of Sex season 1 episode 1, titled "Season Premiere," introduces us to the characters of the show and sets the tone for the series. The episode takes us back to the 1950s in St. Louis, Missouri where we meet Dr. William Masters, a gynecologist, and Virginia Johnson, his assistant.

Dr. Masters is ambitious and determined to conduct research on human sexuality, a subject that is considered taboo in that era. He believes that by studying the physiology of sexual activity, he can spark a sexual revolution and help people lead happier lives. Virginia Johnson, on the other hand, is a single mother who needs a job to make ends meet.

Dr. Masters hires Virginia as his assistant, but he soon realizes that he needs her for more than just clerical work. They both share the same interest in understanding sexual behavior, and Virginia proves to be a perfect match for Dr. Masters in his research.

Together, they start conducting experiments on couples willing to participate in their study. They observe and record their sexual responses to different types of stimuli and measure their physiological reactions. The initial response from the participants is negative, as they are hesitant and embarrassed to reveal their sexual behavior and habits. However, as they progress with their research, they start to see positive results.

Dr. Masters and Virginia's research also draws the attention of other doctors and scientists, most of whom are skeptical of their work. They face obstacles from their colleagues who do not believe that studying human sexuality is a legitimate field of research. Nonetheless, Dr. Masters and Virginia are determined to prove their critics wrong and continue with their work.

As the episode progresses, we also get to know the personal lives of Dr. Masters and Virginia. Dr. Masters is married to Libby, a woman who is unable to conceive and is going through a difficult time trying to adjust to her husband's demanding job. Virginia, on the other hand, is a single mother who is struggling to raise her two children while holding down a job.

The episode ends on a cliffhanger as we see Dr. Masters and Virginia crossing the boundaries of their professional relationship and engaging in sexual activity. This sets the stage for the rest of the series, as we see their personal lives and professional work collide.

Overall, the first episode of Masters of Sex sets a strong foundation for the series. It introduces us to the characters, their motivations, and the challenges they face. It also explores themes of societal norms, gender roles, and sex education that are still relevant today. The performances by Michael Sheen and Lizzy Caplan as Dr. Masters and Virginia were outstanding, and their chemistry is palpable. The episode kept me engaged and left me wanting to see more.