Perhaps the best way to talk about this episode is by focusing on the regrets of the characters, especially in terms of them avoiding the truth. To start off, let's begin with Ethan and Vivian. In this episode, Ethan mentions that he has mostly floated through life based off the influences of others. He did baseball for awhile, but floated away from that. He was good at math and science so with a push from a teacher and his parents, off her floated into med school. Vivian approached him and really wanted him, so he floated into a relationship with her. As he says all this he realizes the only thing he ever fought for was Virginia, and with Vivian having him considering what religion he is, how to raise potential kids and all that, he realizes that she isn't the only he wants to fight for something with. So, seemingly, Vivian has become the rebound she always seemed to be, and now Ethan is hooked back into Virginia.
Which, for Bill's mom, maybe the best thing to happen. You see, Libby has been pushing for Bill and his mom to reconcile, and Estabrooks, Bill's mom, tries to foster this by admitting some guilt in not speaking up throughout Bill's childhood. But, to prevent herself from standing by as something wrong is done, she mentions to Bill his father's adultery and to make him despise himself, she compares Bill to his dad. Naturally, this sickens him to the point he begins to be stoic once more around Virginia. Part of the reason though deals with dear old Jane.
You see, after filming inside the vagina, and having sex sessions, Bill and Virginia decide to shoot almost softcore-esque videos showing involuntary actions that happen during sex or masturbation. Now, as for how Jane is a part of this, Virginia pays her to be in their first video and Jane rejects the video for it makes her feel dirty. So, with Bill feeling guilty about what he has done with Virginia in their studies, and her replacing Jane, he feels the need to pay her and in a way it looks so weird, almost to the point it looks like he is paying a prostitute. Which, naturally, insults Virginia, and mind you, Bill has just gave her a glowing performance review, so seemingly Estabrooks has caused a tilt in their relationship in which Bill is now the dirty old man. But, question is, as Jane told Virginia in the last episode, will the would-be mistress pay for the husband's guilt? Especially since he now has a newly pregnant wife at home.
But, even outside of her issues with Bill, and the possible return of the very passionate, and violent, Ethan, Virginia has other issues. Which, admittedly, I have never really taken notice of. Take note: Does Virginia have any friends? Bill is her boss, colleague, and sometimes sex partner, but when you take away the work aspect, what do they have? Then there is Ethan. He was alright at first, but then hit her and has been trying to repair their relationship ever since. And after that, you have either women who Virginia can't relate to, like Jane and the rest of the secretaries, or women she looks up to like Dr. DePaul, who seem bothered by her seemingly having it all, or having the potential to with some ease. This makes it so, Bill pretty much is the be all to end all, and we've seen what comes from her vesting faith in him. She is slowly falling in love, flirting with comments about how he pleases her, and getting jealous when he leaves her after their late night sessions to be with someone else, even if his wife.
Overall, after the drama which came with focusing on Scully's life and Margaret's affair, I think the show didn't just use them for the dramatics, but to segue us back into the show having characters reflect on their lives, and where they are in them. Virginia is a twice divorcée in the process of making what defines her more than what others have. Taking note of what her classmates said: she is too young to be a mom, too old to just start college, and must have cheated to get such a good grade in class. We won't even go into the various things Dr. DePaul has said, making it sound like she is just some floozy who has Dr. Masters smitten. But, speaking of Dr. Masters, lest speak on his reflection too. He is a man who, like Ethan, floated into a marriage based on what was believed to be the standard for a doctor, and now he realizes that he has to fulfill the role of not just a doctor, but a husband, a son, and a potential father. Then Ethan, he almost followed Dr. Masters' path of just doing what was expected of him, as he has done most of his life, but he seems to be the first one to really try to break the cycle. Yes, Scully wants shock therapy to cure him of his homosexual desires, but Ethan is actually taking control of his own life and pursuing what he wants. Now, will others keep their guilt and make it remain in the shadows? Who knows? But, as of now it seems Ethan is the sole one speaking out about what he wants, and Libby to a point too, but seemingly Ethan is the only one with a silver lining for his current outlook on life.
Which, for Bill's mom, maybe the best thing to happen. You see, Libby has been pushing for Bill and his mom to reconcile, and Estabrooks, Bill's mom, tries to foster this by admitting some guilt in not speaking up throughout Bill's childhood. But, to prevent herself from standing by as something wrong is done, she mentions to Bill his father's adultery and to make him despise himself, she compares Bill to his dad. Naturally, this sickens him to the point he begins to be stoic once more around Virginia. Part of the reason though deals with dear old Jane.
You see, after filming inside the vagina, and having sex sessions, Bill and Virginia decide to shoot almost softcore-esque videos showing involuntary actions that happen during sex or masturbation. Now, as for how Jane is a part of this, Virginia pays her to be in their first video and Jane rejects the video for it makes her feel dirty. So, with Bill feeling guilty about what he has done with Virginia in their studies, and her replacing Jane, he feels the need to pay her and in a way it looks so weird, almost to the point it looks like he is paying a prostitute. Which, naturally, insults Virginia, and mind you, Bill has just gave her a glowing performance review, so seemingly Estabrooks has caused a tilt in their relationship in which Bill is now the dirty old man. But, question is, as Jane told Virginia in the last episode, will the would-be mistress pay for the husband's guilt? Especially since he now has a newly pregnant wife at home.
But, even outside of her issues with Bill, and the possible return of the very passionate, and violent, Ethan, Virginia has other issues. Which, admittedly, I have never really taken notice of. Take note: Does Virginia have any friends? Bill is her boss, colleague, and sometimes sex partner, but when you take away the work aspect, what do they have? Then there is Ethan. He was alright at first, but then hit her and has been trying to repair their relationship ever since. And after that, you have either women who Virginia can't relate to, like Jane and the rest of the secretaries, or women she looks up to like Dr. DePaul, who seem bothered by her seemingly having it all, or having the potential to with some ease. This makes it so, Bill pretty much is the be all to end all, and we've seen what comes from her vesting faith in him. She is slowly falling in love, flirting with comments about how he pleases her, and getting jealous when he leaves her after their late night sessions to be with someone else, even if his wife.
Overall, after the drama which came with focusing on Scully's life and Margaret's affair, I think the show didn't just use them for the dramatics, but to segue us back into the show having characters reflect on their lives, and where they are in them. Virginia is a twice divorcée in the process of making what defines her more than what others have. Taking note of what her classmates said: she is too young to be a mom, too old to just start college, and must have cheated to get such a good grade in class. We won't even go into the various things Dr. DePaul has said, making it sound like she is just some floozy who has Dr. Masters smitten. But, speaking of Dr. Masters, lest speak on his reflection too. He is a man who, like Ethan, floated into a marriage based on what was believed to be the standard for a doctor, and now he realizes that he has to fulfill the role of not just a doctor, but a husband, a son, and a potential father. Then Ethan, he almost followed Dr. Masters' path of just doing what was expected of him, as he has done most of his life, but he seems to be the first one to really try to break the cycle. Yes, Scully wants shock therapy to cure him of his homosexual desires, but Ethan is actually taking control of his own life and pursuing what he wants. Now, will others keep their guilt and make it remain in the shadows? Who knows? But, as of now it seems Ethan is the sole one speaking out about what he wants, and Libby to a point too, but seemingly Ethan is the only one with a silver lining for his current outlook on life.
