‘Masters of Sex’ recap: Bill’s demons arise during TV shoot

Making his television debut forces Dr. William Masters (Michael Sheen) to confront deep-seated insecurities on “One for the Money, Two for the Show,” Episode 211 of Showtime’s “Masters of Sex.”

When a CBS News crew arrives to interview Bill and colleague Virginia Johnson (Lizzy Caplan) about their human sexuality study, public relations expert Shep Tally (Adam Arkin) offers advice.

“You have to be personable enough to make the audience want to invite you into their home,” Shep explains. “A smile and some direct eye contact make all the difference.”

Vibrant and photogenic Virginia is a natural. Bill, on the other hand, is perspiring and aloof -- somewhat like Richard Nixon during his famous debate with John F. Kennedy.

Among Bill’s concerns is the insistence of CBS that two actors, Kyle (Johnathan Brugal) and Bernadette (Katie Parker), pretend to suffer from sexual dysfunction. But Bill and Virginia have barely begun treating such disorders.

“It’s fake,” Bill exclaims. “All of it!”

Shep points out that a reenactment makes the show more appealing, and that it will help Masters and Johnson secure their place in history.

“You gotta be first,” Shep emphasizes.

Adding to Bill’s stress is a warning by director Roger Corwin (Scott Michael Campbell) that network censors won’t allow words such as “orgasm.”

“If I can’t use the correct scientific terminology,” Bill protests, “I’m just going to come off like a sweaty degenerate groping for sexual euphemisms.”

When the interview begins, however, Bill partially regains his poise.

“I’d like to make clear that the prurient angle of the work holds no interest to us,” Bill states. “The goal is to provoke conversations about human sexuality that are not conducted in hushed whispers.

“Censorship perpetuates shame, which in turn fosters ignorance,” Bill continues. “And ignorance prevents change. So you see, it’s a dangerous trajectory to shy away from the language of the body.”

After the TV crew packs up, Bill fears he did a terrible job presenting his life’s work. Audiences will certainly embrace Virginia, he knows, but what will they think of her sullen partner?

“I’m not personable. I don’t smile,” Bill says dejectedly. “Why would people want to watch me?”

“Because you have something important to say,” Virginia assures her anxious lover.

Bill’s wife, Libby (Caitlin Fitzgerald), was supposed to be part of the TV show, but she grows uncomfortable watching her husband and Virginia interact like a married couple. That means Libby is merely “the woman behind the woman behind the man,” she laments.

Rather than take a cab home, Libby accepts a ride from Robert Franklin (Jocko Sims) with the Congress of Racial Equality. An argument ensues when Libby accuses Robert of dismissing her as a “silly, fly-by-night do-gooder.”

Interrupting their spat is a police officer (Derk Cheetwood) who’s suspicious of a white woman sitting in a car with a black man. The cop rips Robert’s shirt before letting him accompany Libby into her house.

Once inside, Libby reveals her frustration at being regarded as nothing more than a pretty housewife who raises well-mannered children.

“Don’t make waves, don’t make trouble and keep your voice down,” Libby says of her role. “People forget that you’re there. Your husband forgets that you’re there.”

So when she meets someone like Robert who thinks ill of her, it’s “almost a relief,” Libby says, because at least she isn’t invisible to him.

Moved by their candid talk, Libby kisses Robert and they indulge in a steamy romp.

Now that Bill and Libby are cheating on each other, will their affairs be exposed in the season finale? As TV announcers once implored: “Don’t touch that dial!”