Ep 5. Outliers

Set in the late 1960s, "Masters of Sex" is a show that chronicles the groundbreaking research on human sexuality conducted by Dr. William Masters and Virginia Johnson, two pioneers in the field. Season 4 episode 5, titled "Outliers," centers around the latest phase of their study.

The episode begins with Masters and Johnson conducting a seminar for fellow researchers and graduate students at Washington University. They introduce the topic of their latest experiment: the study of "outliers," individuals whose sexual responses differ significantly from the norm.

The first subject they introduce is a woman named Betty, who experienced vaginal orgasms at a rate far exceeding that of most women. Masters and Johnson explain that they intend to conduct a series of tests on Betty, including physiological measurements and psychological interviews, in order to better understand the underlying mechanisms of her heightened sexual response.

Betty proves to be a challenging subject, however. She is aloof and resistant to questioning, causing Masters and Johnson to question whether they can trust her self-reported sexual experiences. Meanwhile, Masters becomes increasingly preoccupied with his own worries about aging and the possibility of impotence.

As the study progresses, Masters and Johnson encounter other outliers who challenge their preconceptions about human sexuality. They meet a man who suffers from premature ejaculation, and a woman who has never experienced an orgasm. These experiences inspire Masters and Johnson to push the boundaries of their research further, and to question the morality of societal norms surrounding sex and sexual behavior.

Meanwhile, the personal lives of the characters continue to intersect with their work. Libby, Masters' wife, embarks on a new affair with a musician, causing tension in her marriage. Virginia, too, struggles with personal issues as she grapples with her feelings for Masters and her own sexual identity.

As the episode draws to a close, Betty's test results finally come in. They reveal that her heightened sexual response is linked to an unusual formation in her clitoris. The discovery gives Masters and Johnson a new understanding of the complexities of sexual response and opens up new avenues for their research.

Overall, "Outliers" is a compelling and thought-provoking episode that showcases the show's strengths in exploring the nuances of human sexuality and its effects on individuals and society as a whole.