The Big C

In the wake of Marlene's (Phyllis Somerville) death, Cathy (Laura Linney) is plagued by her late neighbor's ghost as she learns that her latest chemotherapy regimen isn't working. And as Cathy looks for a second opinion, the news of his sister's illness launches Sean (John B. Hickey) into a psychotic episode.

As Cathy (Laura Linney) is uncomfortable with the sympathy she receives upon returning to work, she uses her appointment with Dr. Sherman (guest star Alan Alda) to press for a spot in a new clinical trial. Meanwhile, as Sean (John B. Hickey) remains upset over being kept in the dark about his sister's cancer, Rebecca's (Cynthia Nixon) ultrasound prompts her to ask Cathy to throw her a baby shower right away.

Paul (Oliver Platt) finds himself in an awkward situation when Cathy (Laura Linney) loses all interest in sex and then offers Andrea (Gabourey Sidibe) a place to stay until graduation. Meanwhile, as Adam (Gabriel Basso) deals with his own emerging sexuality, Rebecca (Cynthia Nixon) struggles with Sean's (John B. Hickey) suddenly awakened libido.

With her clinical trial about to get underway, Cathy (Laura Linney) is beset by one problem after another. And as he prepares for Halloween, Sean (John B. Hickey) worries that his house is being haunted by its late owner, Marlene.

As she finds herself getting closer to a fellow clinical trial patient (guest star Hugh Dancy), Cathy (Laura Linney) worries about Paul's (Oliver Platt) commitment to finding a new job. Meanwhile, when Adam (Gabriel Basso) gets in over his head in an effort to ease his sexual frustration, he turns to his uncle Sean (John B. Hickey) for help.

As she grows closer to a fellow clinical trial patient, Cathy (Laura Linney) shakes up her life by becoming her high school's swimming coach. And while Paul (Oliver Platt) coaches an immigrant co-worker on how to get a promotion at work, Adam's (Gabriel Basso) encounter with a prostitute causes problems for the whole family.

After learning that her blood pressure is elevated, Cathy (Laura Linney) turns to her new "cancer friend," Lee (guest star Hugh Dancy), for advice. While Paul (Oliver Platt) feels skeptical about the nature of Lee's relationship with Cathy, Andrea (Gabourey Sidibe) and Myk (guest star Boyd Holbrook) have a very nervous first date.

Seeing signs that her chemotherapy is working, Cathy (Laura Linney) plans an elaborate Thanksgiving dinner to celebrate. But as her good news threatens to expose her friend Lee's (guest star Hugh Dancy) lack of success with his own treatment, the ill-fated holiday dinner party ends in tragedy.

As Rebecca (guest star Cynthia Nixon) mourns her miscarriage, a misleading funeral announcement causes Cathy (Laura Linney) to reflect on her own impending death. As Andrea (Gabourey Sidibe) struggles to find the right time and place for sex with Myk, Adam's (Gabriel Basso) efforts to cope with his mom's cancer sparks an unusual new friendship.

As Cathy (Laura Linney) looks to patch things up with Lee (guest star Hugh Dancy) in the wake of their falling out over Thanksgiving dinner, Sean (John B. Hickey) struggles to cope with the loss of his girlfriend and their unborn child. Meanwhile, Adam (Gabriel Basso) discovers an unsettling truth when he joins Poppy (guest star Parker Posey) at her high school reunion.

As Cathy's (Laura Linney) search for her missing brother sends her and Adam (Gabriel Basso) to the streets, the demands of an all-night inventory at work force Paul (Oliver Platt) to take extreme measures. And as Myk's attempts to advance their relationship nearly drive Andrea (Gabourey Sidibe) away again, Cathy redoubles her efforts to find an alternative treatment for Lee (guest star Hugh Dancy).

On the eve of a family vacation in Italy, Cathy (Laura Linney) rushes to be with her dying friend Lee (guest star Hugh Dancy). And as Cathy is forced to confront some hard choices between her friend and her family, the discovery of Myk's illegal activities exposes the real reason behind his plans to marry Andrea (Gabourey Sidibe).

To honor her late friend Lee, Cathy (Laura Linney) sets out to run in a New Year's Eve marathon. But as she forges ahead against the advice of her doctor (Reid Scott), Paul's (Oliver Platt) mounting drug problem threatens to derail her plans.