Read up on Hubbard before viewing
I knew more about Hubbard on second viewing, and the film made so much more sense
Here is a good write up on The Master/L. Ron Hubbard:
http://www.slate.com/blogs/browbeat/2012/09/19/the_master_and_scientology_just_how_much_of_lancaster_dodd_comes_from_l_ron_hubbard_.html