In "Thank You For Coming" we get our usual showings of men showing how they lack understanding of the place they themselves put women in, leading often to the men of the show seeming like borderline villains as the women come off as strong, survivors or those just getting by. We can see that in how Virginia handles her ex-husband George. She is a single mother with no means of support besides whatever her mind and body can handle. Yes, she may have leisurely chats with Libby, Betty and even Dr. Masters' mom Estabrooks, but at the end of the day it is her making sure her kids are well and making sure house and home is safe for them and a place where she can rest for the following day.
For a long time the show has given us powerful woman, like a woman in this episode with an accent making you think she is from Eastern Europe. A woman who says she can't afford more than the child she has and the one on its way, making you think at first money is the issue, when really it is her social standing in her relationship. Naturally, at first, Dr. Masters isn't necessarily kind to the woman as she asks to have a procedure to not be able to have more kids, due to her husband needing to sign off, but then in a moment of reflection he grants her wish.
And as seen in the last 2-3 episodes, Dr. Masters is slowly softening up. Yes, the man still is so stern he can be a bore, but as he has a child on the way and his empathy rises, as well as his past revealed, we see his heart begin to beat and send warmth through his veins. For instance, part of what triggered Dr. Masters change of heart for the aforementioned woman was his own childhood. His father was an abusive man and all his mother could do was drown out his cries for help with their radio, something Dr. Masters has yet to forgive his mother for. With this, Michael Sheen becomes slightly more lively, despite hardly changing the mannerisms of his character. It makes us see what made this man so weird toward children, or the topic of having them. For, his childhood doesn't seem like the type which creates joy and laughter, but brings tears, which it did for me.
Alongside him though is Dr. Haas. Since the incident in which he slapped Virginia I saw no point of return for him. Like Charlie Sheen and many other acts, he had the label of woman beater and I didn't think anyone could create any type of silver lining amongst his dark cloud. But, then a young volunteer, only 19 years of age, walks in. The girl is named Vivian and though she doesn't blow the clouds away, she does remind us that Dr. Haas perhaps was a nice man before infatuation drove him crazy. You see, this young lady at the age of 16 had Dr. Haas at her Sweet Sixteen party. Her self-esteem was low due to what puberty was doing to her and she asked Dr. Haas, then just Ethan, to dance. He said yes and as Vivian tells this story, if for a moment, you are reminded that he was once a nice fellow. It doesn't erase recent events, but redemption is never a smooth road in the minds of the witnesses.
Overall, there are times on this show I think the men are there to be stepping stones for the women to shine, but this time around the men earn their keep. Though I do fear Dr. Masters future with Libby maybe in jeopardy as he seems further keen on Virginia, but those who know their history know what is to happen. It is just a matter of when and how.
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