Ep 5. Giants

As much as Masters of Sex is about pioneering research into human sexuality, it's just as much about the various ways that people misunderstand or misuse that information, especially when it comes to gender dynamics. The fifth episode of the second season, "Giants," delves further into that theme as the characters explore their own relationships and desires.

We begin with Masters' meetings with his new boss, the laughably overconfident Dr. Leeds. Despite his seeming lack of ability, he's brought in to streamline things at the clinic, leading to several dismissals and a clash with Barton, who sees his own future at the facility threatened. Meanwhile, Virginia receives a visit from her sister, who is busy planning her own wedding. Virginia recounts her own engagement story to Libby and how it fell apart - of course, due to Masters' involvement.

Both women are struggling with issues of self-worth, with Virginia realising that her charisma in public doesn't translate to her private life. "You're too good looking to have to chase a man," her sister says, without realising the extent of the confusion and guilt Virginia feels about her affair with her former boss. Libby, meanwhile, must endure the condescension of her society ladies, who are always quick to remind her of her lower middle-class origins. Despite her initial hesitation, she finds confidence in a group that she initially found intimidating and exclusionary.

Finally, the episode spends time with Austin Langham, the African-American doctor who is one of the handful of Black physicians working at the time. He faces a dilemma when he becomes enamoured with a wealthy white philanthropist named Coral, whom he feels he cannot pursue due to the social mores of the era. We see Austin struggle with the burden of representation: how can he be an emissary of progress for his race when even his own happiness is determined and restricted by the dominant culture's prejudices? It's a powerful idea, and it leads to a confrontation with Masters, who has his own misconceptions about women and Black people.

The episode is full of conversations that reveal the intricacies and nuances of attraction, gender roles, and race relations. It's a testament to the writers' abilities that they never get too preachy or heavy-handed, instead letting the characters speak for themselves. If anything, the show seems to be arguing for greater empathy and understanding, whether that's between the sexes or between different human groups.

That said, some of the plotlines feel a little underdeveloped. There are hints of possible romance between the two female leads - Virginia and Libby - but so far the show hasn't quite explored that avenue. The scene where they go lingerie shopping doesn't lead to anything substantial, and it feels like a missed opportunity to deepen their connection. Similarly, while the Austin-Coral romance is interesting, the episode doesn't quite know what to do with it: their scenes together contain some of the best dialogue of the episode, but we don't get a sense of whether or not they'll actually be able to make a go of it, given the constraints of their society.

Overall, "Giants" is a solid episode that uses its various storylines to flesh out the larger themes of the series. While it doesn't quite hit the emotional highs of some of the earlier episodes, it's a necessary piece in the puzzle of understanding the ways in which Masters of Sex is reflecting its era and ours. If you're a fan of character studies and nuanced ensemble acting, then "Giants" is well worth a watch.