Pilot (Masters of Sex)
| "Pilot" | |
|---|---|
| Masters of Sex episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 1 Episode 1 |
| Directed by | John Madden |
| Written by | Michelle Ashford |
| Original air date | September 29, 2013 |
| Running time | 61 minutes |
| Guest appearance(s) | |
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"Pilot" is the first episode of the first season of the American period drama television series Masters of Sex. It originally aired on September 29, 2013 in the United States on Showtime. The episode was written by series creator Michelle Ashford and directed by John Madden. The series is based on Thomas Maier's biography Masters of Sex: The Life and Times of William Masters and Virginia Johnson, the Couple Who Taught America How to Love.
The series opens in October 1956 at Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri where Bill Masters (Michael Sheen) is honored for his work in obstetric surgery. While making a speech, Bill states that he has to go. Later, he watches through a peephole as Betty DiMello, (Annaleigh Ashford) a prostitute who he hired, has sex with Ernie (Steve Rosen). Afterwards, Bill talks with Betty at a bar where they discuss her sexual response. She tells him she faked her orgasm, a practice which Bill is unfamiliar with.
A young doctor, Ethan Haas (Nicholas D'Agosto) speaks to Bill about a new female employee in their department who is going through a divorce. Bill tells him that he is getting support from Scully (Beau Bridges) about presenting his research to the board. Ethan is skeptical and Bill states that the project will be conducted in secrecy. Later that night, Bill comes home to his wife Libby (Caitlin Fitzgerald). They are having trouble conceiving. Ethan drives Virginia E. Johnson (Lizzy Caplan) home where he makes a pass at her. She performs oral sex on him off-screen.
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