Moment of Sadness: Libby Loses the Baby, Masters of Sex “Catherine” 

Dr. William Masters is emotionally constipated. For all the sympathy and empathy he can show to couples struggling to conceive (that Christian couple was both hilarious and ridiculous), he is equal measures distant and difficult with his wife. Yes, he was ambivalent – at best – when it came to wanting to be a father, but he genuinely loves and cares for Libby. It’s just a shame he can’t say it or show it when Libby needs it most.

Libby Loses the Baby

Bill’s got slow swimmers, so in some ways it really was a miracle that Ethan was able to help Libby get pregnant at all. Maybe all this heartache could’ve been avoided if Bill had just been honest with his wife up front and told her he didn’t want to be a father. I know there were certain things couples didn’t really talk about, and I guess this is what such topic in their relationship. But Bill’s got a seriously bad relationship with his mom (and we know things were very tough with his father) and although he loves Libby, he doesn’t want to be a parent. Instead he puts Libby through all those procedures to get pregnant and then all those other procedures to monitor and document everything now that she is pregnant. It seems exhausting. And, of course, it’s going to be devastating to lose this one thing you’ve tried for and wanted for so long. I did feel awful for both of them when Bill had to admit to Libby that the baby had died. And it was even tougher to watch Bill perform the procedure to get the baby out of his wife. Right after, he had an intense amount of anxiety over this loss. He thought because he didn’t want this baby that he somehow willed his feelings into existence. I like that Virginia tries to assure Bill that even he isn’t that powerful, because he isn’t. I also like that Virginia is there when he really needs someone. It should’ve been Libby, but at least it was someone. But what does this mean for Bill and Libby? Is this the beginning of the end for them?

Other highlights (and lowlights):

• Dr. Ethan Haas. One minute I’m despising him for being an ass after deflowering Vivian. The next I’m kind of forgiving him for being so horrible to Virginia because he really helps her out with Henry. I know people are complex, contradictory creatures. I’m kind of glad we’re seeing so many sides to him.

• Dr. Austin Langham and his serious case of performance anxiety. At first he couldn’t get his penis to work because he was expecting Jane and didn’t get her. Then he got her, but his penis didn’t seem to realize it was what he wanted. I feel like he’s kind of getting what he deserves.

• Virginia brings up a good point about attraction. Of course their study will be impacted by whether or not their subjects want to have sex with each other. That seems pretty obvious, but sometimes Bill’s thinking is too constricted by science. I like that she’s so different from Bill and that together, they’re making some interesting scientific discoveries. I just wish he’d listen to her suggestions more often. She makes some really good points.

Masters of Sex airs Sundays at 10/9c on Showtime.