Ep 10. Below the Belt

In the season 2 finale of Masters of Sex, titled "Below the Belt," we find William Masters and Virginia Johnson facing several challenges as they continue to conduct their groundbreaking research on human sexuality in the 1950s.

The episode begins with Masters (played by Michael Sheen) having a difficult time in the wake of the death of his mentor, Dr. Langham. He is struggling with feelings of guilt and grief, and is unable to focus on his work. Meanwhile, Johnson (played by Lizzy Caplan) is dealing with troubles of her own, as she receives some disappointing news regarding her personal life.

As the two continue to work on their research, they find themselves facing increasing resistance from the establishment. Masters' former colleague, Austin Langham, is now leading a campaign against their work, arguing that it is immoral and that it will ultimately lead to the downfall of society.

The tension between Masters and Johnson also begins to take its toll on their relationship, as they struggle to balance their professional and personal lives. Johnson finds herself growing increasingly frustrated with Masters, feeling that he is putting their work above all else and not considering her needs and desires.

Despite these challenges, Masters and Johnson are determined to continue their research, and they come up with a bold plan to prove the efficacy of their findings. They decide to conduct a live demonstration of their techniques at a medical conference, hoping to convince their peers of the importance of their work.

As the episode builds to its climactic moments, we see Masters and Johnson facing one final hurdle, as they must confront their own personal demons in order to move forward. Will they be able to overcome these challenges and prove their theories to the world?

"Below the Belt" is an intense and emotional episode, exploring themes of grief, guilt, and the quest for validation. The performances by Sheen and Caplan are outstanding, and the episode offers a fitting end to a complex and nuanced season. Fans of the show will surely be left eager to see where Masters of Sex will go in its next chapter.