Cineastas:
Michelle AshfordMúsica:
Michael PennReparto:
Michael Sheen, Lizzy Caplan, Caitlin Fitzgerald, Teddy Sears, Nicholas D'Agosto, Heléne Yorke, Beau Bridges, Julianne Nicholson, Rose McIver (más)Streaming (1)
Temporada(4) / Episodios(46)
Sinopsis(1)
"Masters of Sex" sheds a light on the professional and personal lives of Dr. William Masters and Virginia Johnson. Together they become pioneers in the science of sex by undertaking a groundbreaking study of the physiological aspect of the human sexual response. As with most visionaries, their personal lives are arguably more fascinating, complex, and revealing than the risqué research that touched off the sexual revolution and took them from a mid-western hospital to the cover of Time magazine. The drama is heightened by the surrounding cast of hospital coworkers, loved ones and neighbors struggling to comprehend and find their place in the brave new world of Masters and Johnson. (Sony Pictures)
(más)Reseñas (5)
Everything you wanted to know about sex (but were afraid to ask). Showtime was probably green with envy at AMC’s “prize and critical awards generator" Mad Men and therefore comes along with an identical concept done in the very same polished style. Just in a different environment, but otherwise it’s exactly the same. But this definitely does no harm, because it is certainly neither bad nor even just average. It’s too well written and too well acted to be able to say that about it. There is just one potential snag; the ins and outs of the career of the Masters/Johnson duo over several decades for sure is a sufficiently strong topic for a miniseries, but for a full-fledged series with a view to several seasons? We’ll see, we’ll see. In any case (so far) it’s been worth watching because you won’t find a cooler series on the screen, apart from maybe the above mentioned AMC or on BBC.
()
“My clitoris beats my vagina? That’s crazy!” Masters of Sex is a more edifying battle of the sexes than those offered by most of the screwball and re-marriage comedies that I can recall, but the men in it are less frustrated and the women are less repressed. The tension between people of different genders (and, in the second season, of different races) is the driving force of this predominantly conversational series, which gets its dynamics primarily from the relationship hierarchy at home and in the workplace (or, as the case may be, between these two sub-worlds), or rather from the characters’ efforts to defy social norms and rules (how a wife, mother, husband and lover should behave). The women have to humiliate themselves in front of men, the men in front of more powerful men, and the doctors are also patients and they treat themselves by treating others. The important thing is that, with respect to the period setting, the rules for men are radically different from those for women. Inequalities of a more general nature are demonstrated in the discordant relationship between Masters and Johnson, who can never really get along, as their heated arguments make the series engaging and keep the narrative moving. If they agreed on their work processes and the sexual technique that they want to use to make the evening more enjoyable, the series would have nothing to hold us in anticipation. It’s thus reminiscent of coitus interruptus – it’s enjoyable, but there’s still something missing. ___ With the exception of a few novel episodes (one takes place almost entirely over the course of a single night in a hotel room), the series adheres to a very standard dramaturgical structure with sexuality as the unifying theme (Freud would have been pleased). Episodes are built from larger plot blocks and there is generally no parallel cutting between the various events, which would liven up the pacing. Only after one situation has played out and been brought at least to a partial conclusion do we move on to the next. With the exception of occasional work with the depth of space and the placement of the characters within it, the basic stylistic device is the shot/counter-shot technique. This structure, which places emphasis on the comprehensibility and clarity of the message, causes Masters of Sex to seem somewhat sedate in comparison with more aggressive and narratively and stylistically more distinct series, but thanks to its excellent actors and dialogue, it can get away with such classicism. 80%
()
Season 1 – 60% – A wonderful concept for an engaging miniseries, which grows increasingly diluted over the generous length of twelve hour-long episodes. It has enough room to explore everything positive and negative related to the effort to be different in medicine, particularly in the 1960s when you are a woman or an innovative pioneer. At the same time, it thoroughly examines not only the great characters and storylines (the central research of Bill and Virginia, the fate of Barton Scully), but also the somewhat tired (Libby) or even uninteresting ones (the overconfident Doctor Langham). There is generally a slight problem with the male characters, although it is influenced by the time period. However, this does not change the fact that it is occasionally difficult to root for conceited Ethan and stubborn creator Bill. Hopefully, the continuation will delve into the characters and their relationships with greater intensity and passion. At the outset, I am entertained by all the motivations and desires, but genuine emotions are awakened in me only rarely. Season 2 – 70% – The more 60s, the better. While the start suffers from the same flaws as the previous season, Libby's storyline is almost annoying and everything is at a standstill, a complete turnaround occurs in my favorite episode, Asterion. The time jump provides an opportunity to develop entirely new storylines, bring back familiar faces, and finally allows both Michael Sheen and Lizzy Caplan to fully showcase their talent. I still can't shake the feeling that Masters and Virginia are mainly interesting through their research and their personal lives must have been wildly twisted by the writers (thus disregarding real events). However, as long as the pace continues to rise steadily and the characters continue to deepen pleasantly, I have no reason to hold onto historical prototypes. Season 3 – 70% – Solid as a rock in terms of dialogue, surprisingly insecure in its mood swings, and actually in the same place as before in terms of the appeal of the characters. The third stage of the narrative about an extensive effort at enlightenment suffers from the same issues as the previous years. Perhaps everyone who is at the center of the story for even a moment, not only my favorites Betty, Lester, and Barton, but also Libby, Tessa, Paul, or Dan, is more likable or admirable than Bill and Ginny. And that is a serious mistake in moments of absolute despair or love tactics of the main protagonist. The creators' balancing act between significant milestones in the lives of the main characters and completely invented (and therefore somewhat cliché) wanderings is quite questionable. Do not get me wrong, the use of historical setting to tell (a)typical human stories still works. But a good series needs just a little bit more. However, there is still plenty of potential, so I still believe there will be at least one truly great season. Season 4 – 90% – For the first time, it feels like a portrayal of the era and a functional and meaningful relationship drama, for the first time I care about everyone finding their happiness, and last but not least, for the first time, it brought tears to my eyes. Masters of Sex has found its ideally balanced mood, it doesn't exaggerate with Bill being in the center of all the relationship issues, and in the storylines of Betty or Libby, it surpasses everything that the series has portrayed about women in an unsympathetic society so far. The episodes in the middle of the season (starting with the coat party) are so perfectly illustrative that I can't believe I have been watching the same series for the past three years. The unexpected cancellation by Showtime feels like a bad joke, but for very few shows, it holds true that they clearly end on a high note.
()
(menos)
(más)
After the liberated decades of free-thinking drawing from the legacy of the sexual revolution of the 60s, in recent years the pendulum has swung to the other side. Under the pretext of fighting against sexism and sexual harassment of women, modern moralists are once again reaping the harvest, giving lessons in behavior and willingly shaming others. They construct new myths, and prejudices, and often display an eruption of incredible hypocrisy. In these times, it is refreshing to watch a series that tells the story of human sexuality with lightness, wit, and elegance, without obscenities and vulgarities, but also without melodrama, sentimentality, and pretense. Masters of Sex is a remarkably comprehensive series that can not only touch upon but also dissect all the functions and forms of human sexuality. It perceives sex as a part of the reproductive process, as a physiological act, but also as an important component of a partnership, as entertainment, and last but not least, as a suitable and worthy subject for scientific research. After the truly sexist and cynical Californication, Masters of Sex is a very refreshing, likable spectacle that is excellently cast and has a point. Overall impression: 90%.
()
After Mad Men, this was another excellent series set in the 1950s to 1970s in the most democratic country ever. The first season absolutely blew me away with its perfect atmosphere of obscurantism and hypocrisy. Unfortunately, later on it started to fade a bit, but the story was enjoyable even without it. I don't think things have changed that much since the fifties. We have the space program, the Internet, and whatnot, but for many men, the word clitoris still seems to be a foreign word. The series could be enlightening for many people, but I’m guessing that in the US it’s R-rated, or else it might cause some irrevocable damage. Given my moral depravity, I greatly enjoyed the whole series. I just found the second season weaker, but the seasons after that were great again.
()