In general, time leaps are done so a show can start a fresh slate. It allows for characters to be quickly written off, gives us an air of mystery on what happened over the time leap, and provides new possibilities. But that is what your general, aka average, shows does. For Masters of Sex however, all this time leap does is spare us watching a lot of the hardship of Bill getting his own practice off the ground, us seeing Betty's marriage dissolve, and us having to full on deal with Libby's disappointment in her marriage. Though, with the time jump, we also miss seeing what may have come of Helen, the odd development of Bill's relationship with his mom, as well as Betty's evolution which perhaps is the sole dramatic change over the time leap. More on those various subjects below.
Topic 1: The Evolution of Betty DiMello
When we met Betty is season 1, she was a smart mouthed prostitute who I'm sure no one really expected to stay as long as she did. Yet, she ended up staying, keeping her spunk, and marrying a guy. And with him discovering her bi or lesbian tendencies, it seemed that ended their marriage and Bill decided to return her two favors to him. The first favor being giving him a place to do his study, back in the beginning, and then her helping him get that job at Memorial Hospital. So in return for her kindness he provides her with a legit job. One which starts her off as being a run of the mill assistant, but after two years, and a CPA degree, it seems she has become the office manager, if not floor manager since the diet pill woman seems to own an office on the floor Bill bought and, thanks to outside help and Betty's book skills, he somehow got to keep.
Topic 2: I Deserved Someone to Go Home To – Virginia and Bill
During that two year period, needless to say, we are quickly zipped through a lot of relationship drama between Bill and Virginia. Of which both pick up vices when they couldn't have the other. Bill picks up drinking as Virginia seriously makes the study, and their relationship, strictly professional. Then, somewhere in year 2, after Shelly and another guy gets away, Virginia's loneliness starts to come out.
But, I should mention, her dating Shelly and the other guy, Kevin I think, was because she was getting tired of growing close to Bill, sharing a bed and having sex, and yet he leaves her to be with his wife. Hence why she decided to get herself a boyfriend for, like many times before in their relationship, she wanted, and had to, reassert herself. She had to remind Bill that she willingly gave herself to him, but just as well could give herself to another man if she so desired. And with jealousy, or perhaps better said envy, making her feel like she wasn't getting much out of their personal relationship, no matter how many secrets were shared, she looked for other men to make up for what Bill couldn't offer her.
Topic 3: Three's Company – Bill, Libby, and Virginia
And while Virginia abstained from Bill, he sought out hookers to fulfill his sexual desires. Though, like Ethan, it seemed Virginia ruined the idea of having sex with anyone else. Especially Libby who he stopped having sex with for a year. Though, like Virginia, when their relationship ended, a habit was picked up. Now, for Bill the habit was drinking and while Virginia was certainly part of the reason, the finances of the practice didn't help either. For, as sort of seen, while the study was doing gloriously, the amount of patients being seen were scarce. In fact, things got bad enough, or were starting to, that Bill had to get a bank loan. Something which he didn't discuss with Virginia, nor Libby, which causes major issues between him and Libby. Though it seems Libby is growing accustomed to the idea she may never have the ideal husband, but at least she wants some semblance of the ideal life. Such as having a nice home to live in, happy children, and someone to talk to.
Leading to the topic of Bill's mother, Estabrooks, who returns to the show. As we know, due to Bill not being protected by his mother and her turning a blind eye, there is a rage inside him which grows while in her presence. However, with Coral gone, and Libby having no friends, Estabrooks was the only option for Libby. So, in secret, the two spoke and met for a year. Thus giving Estabrooks access to her grandkids, all behind Bill's back. Something which infuriates him for this all happens during his financial hard times so with the stress of Virginia being with other men, his money issues, and then his mother and Libby talking behind his back, he again bans his mother from his family's life. At least for nearly a year. Then she seems to be allowed to return and while her apologies don't mean much, you can nearly see a tear fall as she mentions how proud she is of him.
Though with those two years of time came old feelings anew. One which lead Virginia back into Bill's bed, and both dropping their vices. No sorry however leaves either's lips for they did what they thought was best at the time. So despite Bill feeling his vulnerability was betrayed when he learned Virginia was seeing other people, or Virginia upset that Bill wanted to be high and mighty despite having Libby, the two somehow end up back to where they were before the time jump. Just a bit more successful now.
Topic 1: The Evolution of Betty DiMello
When we met Betty is season 1, she was a smart mouthed prostitute who I'm sure no one really expected to stay as long as she did. Yet, she ended up staying, keeping her spunk, and marrying a guy. And with him discovering her bi or lesbian tendencies, it seemed that ended their marriage and Bill decided to return her two favors to him. The first favor being giving him a place to do his study, back in the beginning, and then her helping him get that job at Memorial Hospital. So in return for her kindness he provides her with a legit job. One which starts her off as being a run of the mill assistant, but after two years, and a CPA degree, it seems she has become the office manager, if not floor manager since the diet pill woman seems to own an office on the floor Bill bought and, thanks to outside help and Betty's book skills, he somehow got to keep.
Topic 2: I Deserved Someone to Go Home To – Virginia and Bill
During that two year period, needless to say, we are quickly zipped through a lot of relationship drama between Bill and Virginia. Of which both pick up vices when they couldn't have the other. Bill picks up drinking as Virginia seriously makes the study, and their relationship, strictly professional. Then, somewhere in year 2, after Shelly and another guy gets away, Virginia's loneliness starts to come out.
But, I should mention, her dating Shelly and the other guy, Kevin I think, was because she was getting tired of growing close to Bill, sharing a bed and having sex, and yet he leaves her to be with his wife. Hence why she decided to get herself a boyfriend for, like many times before in their relationship, she wanted, and had to, reassert herself. She had to remind Bill that she willingly gave herself to him, but just as well could give herself to another man if she so desired. And with jealousy, or perhaps better said envy, making her feel like she wasn't getting much out of their personal relationship, no matter how many secrets were shared, she looked for other men to make up for what Bill couldn't offer her.
Topic 3: Three's Company – Bill, Libby, and Virginia
And while Virginia abstained from Bill, he sought out hookers to fulfill his sexual desires. Though, like Ethan, it seemed Virginia ruined the idea of having sex with anyone else. Especially Libby who he stopped having sex with for a year. Though, like Virginia, when their relationship ended, a habit was picked up. Now, for Bill the habit was drinking and while Virginia was certainly part of the reason, the finances of the practice didn't help either. For, as sort of seen, while the study was doing gloriously, the amount of patients being seen were scarce. In fact, things got bad enough, or were starting to, that Bill had to get a bank loan. Something which he didn't discuss with Virginia, nor Libby, which causes major issues between him and Libby. Though it seems Libby is growing accustomed to the idea she may never have the ideal husband, but at least she wants some semblance of the ideal life. Such as having a nice home to live in, happy children, and someone to talk to.
Leading to the topic of Bill's mother, Estabrooks, who returns to the show. As we know, due to Bill not being protected by his mother and her turning a blind eye, there is a rage inside him which grows while in her presence. However, with Coral gone, and Libby having no friends, Estabrooks was the only option for Libby. So, in secret, the two spoke and met for a year. Thus giving Estabrooks access to her grandkids, all behind Bill's back. Something which infuriates him for this all happens during his financial hard times so with the stress of Virginia being with other men, his money issues, and then his mother and Libby talking behind his back, he again bans his mother from his family's life. At least for nearly a year. Then she seems to be allowed to return and while her apologies don't mean much, you can nearly see a tear fall as she mentions how proud she is of him.
Though with those two years of time came old feelings anew. One which lead Virginia back into Bill's bed, and both dropping their vices. No sorry however leaves either's lips for they did what they thought was best at the time. So despite Bill feeling his vulnerability was betrayed when he learned Virginia was seeing other people, or Virginia upset that Bill wanted to be high and mighty despite having Libby, the two somehow end up back to where they were before the time jump. Just a bit more successful now.
