Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		2.5
Overall		4.0

Masters of Sex: Season Two Blu-ray Movie Review

Riveting, and not at all what you might expect...

Reviewed by Kenneth Brown May 5, 2015

The second season of showrunner Michelle Ashford's Masters of Sex is an improvement over its predecessor in almost every way. Not that its first critically acclaimed season was lacking. Not even remotely. While the hit Showtime series certainly doesn't shy away from its subject matter, topically or visually, it rarely, if ever, feels gratuitous. This isn't skin for skin's sake. It's a carefully constructed, decidedly thoughtful examination of the cultural perceptions of sexuality; be it in the revolution-fueled 1950s and '60s, which it captures with frank, often fascinating authenticity, or the 21st century, which in some ways bears a striking and unsettling resemblance to the America of sixty years ago. It's this balance of past and present social commentary and Ashford's unflinching focus on the still-progressing evolution of society -- its tolerance, flaws, misconceptions, cultural norms, and milestones in equality -- that elevates Masters of Sex above any potential gimmicks, past its comparatively small-scale first season, and to heights achieved only by the best series on television.

Having been dismissed by Maternity Hospital, Dr. William Masters (Michael Sheen) needs a place where he and Virginia Johnson (Lizzy Caplan) can resume their work. But thanks to their study's controversial topic, they're forced out of two more hospitals before deciding to open their own clinic. With the seeds of the sexual revolution being sown and the simmering Civil Rights movement exploding around them, the intimate relationship they started under the guise of research unravels as the result of Masters' sudden impotence. With the prospect of treating sexual dysfunction becoming increasingly important to their patients and themselves, at home Masters confronts his wife's growing disaffection and the unexpected return of his estranged brother, while Johnson faces a crisis of her own when the publicity surrounding their work places the custody of her two children in doubt.

Rather than narrowing its focus or clinging to the trials and tribulations of Masters and Johnson's professional and personal relationship, the series' second season expands in exciting new directions, not only devoting more time and attention to the private lives of its supporting characters, but by incorporating a broader exploration of the complex, at-times violent societal upheaval of the period. Sex, privacy and prudishness of the era are still at the center of nearly every conflict that erupts, but other factors take a deep hold on the various storylines too. Race, religion, sexual identity and/or preference, scientific innovation, shifting perceptions, generational war, waxing and waning fear, greed and bigotry... all a part of incredibly volatile change, each dangerous but necessary in its own way. Previously, Masters and Johnson were forced to operate strictly out of the shadows. To disclose the nature of their study was to invite shame, discredit and severe consequences. But the times, they are a-changin'. Masters and Johnson's research is still met with fierce opposition, but with each outspoken critic, their work is pushed farther and farther into the light. As it is, Ashford exhumes and dissects the shift from the values of the Greatest Generation to the demands of the Baby Boomers, dealing with one of the most turbulent periods in American history with pointed, profound and, above all, timely precision.

The series' sex isn't shocking. The similarities between persecution of sexuality and the fight for equality in the '50s and in the 21st century is shocking. Listening to hateful, ignorant things spew out of an unlikable, backwards-thinking character's mouth, only to realize congressmen, political commentators and everyday citizens continue to believe and even say these sorts of things today is shocking. The parallels between early Civil Rights struggles (racially charged police brutality comes to mind for obvious reasons) and the eye-opening events that have exploded in major cities around the U.S. over the last few months is shocking. Watching the show tackle debates that continue to rage on 24-hour News Networks, driving larger discussions of equality, sexuality, race and religion, is shocking. Masters of Sex could easily be dismissed as an entertaining period drama; one that depicts a quaint era with prejudices American society identified and eradicated decades ago. But ask a homosexual, transgendered individual, African American or Muslim American if they think the prejudices of old are entirely that. Take a good, hard look at society -- at Ferguson, Baltimore, San Francisco, Washington, the Supreme Court -- and say these still-festering issues are merely the product of sensitivities and imaginings of select minority groups.

Masters of Sex isn't interested in titillating, teasing or arousing. Ashford and her writers are interested in hosting a far more valuable discussion, asking their audience an endless array of tough questions about society, progress and ignorance. And it's in these moments of reflection, some of which present themselves mid-episode, some of which linger on the mind well after the season comes to a dramatic close, that the series gains its power and resonance. The performances are uniformly excellent, the scripts are sharp and judicious, pacing and plotting are outstanding, and each episode leaves you desperate to know what happens next. But the greatest impacts made by Masters of Sex are only strengthened by these elements. They aren't a product of them. The best shows, whether steeped in truest fact or wildest fiction, refuse to allow viewers to detach the reality of the series from the reality of the times in which we live. Ashford has provided the lens. All we're asked to do is look through it.

Masters of Sex: Season Two Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Like the Blu-ray release of its first season, Masters of Sex: Season Two features a first class 1080p/AVC-encoded video presentation. Director of photography Michael Weaver's period palette is a bit darker and more muted this time around, but only by design. Colors and primaries are capably and consistently saturated, fleshtones are lifelike and convincing, black levels are deep and satisfying, and contrast is dialed in nicely. Detail is terrific as well. Edge definition is crisp and clean, free of aliasing and significant ringing. Textures are both revealing and beautifully resolved. Better still, there aren't any instances of macroblocking, banding or errant issues that disrupt the integrity of the image. There are hints of crush, and darker scenes are prone to elevated noise, but it's inherent to Weaver's photography, nothing more. Fans of the series will be most pleased with the results.

Masters of Sex: Season Two Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Like Season One, the Blu-ray release of Masters of Sex: Season Two offers a strong DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track. Dialogue is clear and intelligible at all times, prioritization is impeccable, and able-bodied ambient effects help create a number of enveloping interiors and environments. Directionality is precise, even when there isn't much in the way of an electrifying soundfield, and cross-channel pans are smooth. LFE output and rear speaker activity is restrained, as is befitting a quiet, conversation-driven period drama, but there are moments when the mix stirs and the lossless audio track makes its presence known. All told, it's a well-executed experience.

Masters of Sex: Season Two Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• The History of Sex (HD, 18 minutes): A look at the era, movements, and medical advances depicted in Masters of Sex: Season Two, from Alcoholics Anonymous to diet pills to the beginnings of the Civil Rights movement.
• The Women of Sex (HD, 20 minutes): This Blu-ray exclusive featurette delves into the characters of Lizzy Caplan (Virginia Johnson) and her female co-stars, among them Caitlin Fitzgerald (Libby Masters), Annaleigh Ashford (Betty DiMello), Betsy Brandt (Barbara Sanderson), Ann Dowd (Estabrooks Masters), Allison Janney (Margaret Scully) and several others.
• The Men of Sex (HD, 26 minutes): A second BD exclusive, in this case an insightful and engaging roundtable discussion led by Michael Sheen (William Masters), who does a fine job participating in the conversation while asking questions of fellow actors Beau Bridges (Barton Scully), Teddy Sears (Austin Langham), Jocko Sims (Robert Franklin) and Kevin Christy (Lester Linden).
• Deleted Scenes (HD): A number of Season Two episodes include deleted and extended scenes, which are found in the discs' Episode Selection menus rather than under Special Features.

Masters of Sex: Season Two Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Masters of Sex is currently one of the best shows on television; one that unfortunately continues to be misjudged by those who haven't taken the time to watch. It's not all sex and skin. Not even close. More Madmen than its title suggests, it has bigger societal issues to fry, and does so with increasingly disarming power and relevance. Sony's Blu-ray release of Season Two strives for quality too, thanks to a top notch AV presentation. Additional special features, particularly audio commentaries, would have been appreciated, but the hour of insightful featurettes and roundtables included still go a long way. You know the adage: don't judge a book by its cover. Masters of Sex is riveting stuff.