Masters of Sex: Season Two

Showtime's drama about the pioneering work of Dr. William "Bill" Masters (Michael Sheen) and Virginia Johnson (Lizzy Kaplan)—partners in a landmark study of human sexuality—enters its second season by moving into the 1960s, where their research is met with only slightly more reception. Bill struggles to find a new hospital to sponsor his controversial study, while Virginia, a single mother without a degree, tries to support her kids while searching for work that inspires and engages her. Race and bigotry become major themes this season when Bill takes a position at an African-American hospital, and his wife (Caitlin Fitzgerald)—after facing her own prejudices—volunteers at a civil rights organization. Like Mad Men, this series uses its subject and setting to explore both an era and its influence on our own perceptions and preconceptions of sex, race, and gender roles within the complicated relations between men and women. Masters of Sex features plenty of nudity and scenes of sexuality, but it is less explicit than many other pay cable shows, touching on the boundaries of what is considered "normal" and acceptable, feelings of shame and fear, and the emotional complications that sex brings to a relationship. Compiling all 12 episodes from the 2014 second season, extras include a featurette on the “History of Sex” (exclusive to the Blu-ray release are deleted scenes and behind-the-scenes featurettes with cast interviews). One of the most interesting and intelligent adult dramas currently airing, this is highly recommended. (S. Axmaker)