The Big C

2009 • Showtime

4.6

150 reviews

TV-MA

Rating

Eligible

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Season 1 episodes (13)

1 Pilot

8/16/10

After being diagnosed with melanoma, Cathy (LAURA LINNEY) decides to build a pool in her backyard, much to the chagrin of her older curmudgeonly neighbor, Marlene (PHYLLIS SOMERVILLE). Adam (GABRIEL BASSO), Cathy's son, plays pranks on her while Paul (OLIVER PLATT), her husband, tries to get back in her good graces. After trying to reconnect with her willfully homeless brother, Sean (JOHN BENJAMIN HICKEY), Cathy devises a weight loss plan for one of her summer school students, Andrea (GABOUREY SIDIBE).

2 Summertime

8/23/10

Cathy (LAURA LINNEY) learns from Dr. Todd (REID SCOTT) just how little time she has left and for the first time in her life, starts to appreciate her body. Paul (OLIVER PLATT) tries to make sense of his wife's request to live apart for the summer by signing up for couple's therapy. Adam (GABRIEL BASSO), desperate to get away from his "crazy" mom, attempts to sneak off to soccer camp without her knowing.

3 There's No C in Team

8/30/10

When Cathy's (LAURA LINNEY) attempt to connect to the people closest to her fails, she signs up for a well-meaning but over-bearing cancer support group. Adam (GABRIEL BASSO) rebuffs Cathy's attempts to connect with him, so she decides to put together a dinner party with Andrea (GABOUREY SIDIBE), Sean (JOHN BENJAMIN HICKEY), and Daphne (ANNE MARIE CANCELMI). Meanwhile, Paul (OLIVER PLATT) tries to win back his wife's love with an elaborately romantic gesture. Marlene (PHYLLIS SOMERVILLE) discovers Cathy's cancer secret in a most unusual way.

4 Playing the Cancer Car

9/13/10

Cathy (LAURA LINNEY), eager to try on a carefree, impulsive persona, drains her 401k, buys a convertible and imagines what life might be like if she were Dr. Todd's (REID SCOTT) girlfriend. At his therapist's urging, Paul (OLIVER PLATT) reignites his passion for rugby. Sean (JOHN BENJAMIN HICKEY) goes to great lengths to knock out a tooth without the help of a dentist. Meanwhile, Adam (GABRIEL BASSO) gets caught stealing and is surprised when Marlene (PHYLLIS SOMERVILLE) comes to his rescue, until he finds out there are strings attached.

5 Blue-Eyed Iris

9/20/10

Cathy (LAURA LINNEY) catches Adam (GABRIEL BASSO) watching porn. In pursuit of her sexiness, Cathy invites a new man into her life, Lenny (IDRIS ELBA), the school's muralist. A rugby injury gets Paul (OLIVER PLATT) the attention of a female admirer, Tina (NADIA DAJANI). Sean (JOHN BENJAMIN HICKEY) fights to save his "home" (an abandoned building) from demolition. Marlene (PHYLLIS SOMERVILLE) gives Sean her dead husband's suit.

6 Taking Lumps

9/27/10

Cathy (LAURA LINNEY) needs a lump on her butt removed and someone to pick her up after the surgery. She asks Marlene (PHYLLIS SOMERVILLE), who becomes disoriented so Lenny picks up Cathy instead. Sean (JOHN BENJAMIN HICKEY) moves into Cathy's backyard because he got beat up on the streets. Paul (OLIVER PLATT) and Adam (GABRIEL BASSO) win the local bathtub races. The event brings Cathy and Paul back together, but at the point of reconciliation, Paul confesses to an indiscretion with Tina and Cathy rejects the reunion. Meanwhile, Andrea (GABOUREY SIDIBE) breaks into the school and destroys the mural Lenny painted.

7 Two for the Road

10/4/10

Cathy (LAURA LINNEY) and Sean (JOHN BENJAMIN HICKEY) hit the open road to visit their Dad (BRIAN COX). During the trip, Cathy tells Sean she has cancer. Sean falls apart at the news, so Cathy pretends it was a big joke. Adam (GABRIEL BASSO) gets drunk while under the supervision of Paul (OLIVER PLATT). Marlene (PHYLLIS SOMERVILLE) finds Adam on the front lawn puking. Marlene will keep it their secret, but Adam is in further servitude to her.

8 Happy Birthday, Cancer

10/11/10

Lenny (IDRIS ELBA) invites Cathy (LAURA LINNEY) to the Bahamas for an art opening to celebrate her birthday, but Paul (OLIVER PLATT) throws Cathy a surprise party and invites her flaky college friend, Rebecca (CYNTHIA NIXON). Lenny and Cathy lie about their relationship to Paul. Sean (JOHN BENJAMIN HICKEY) and Rebecca start a fling. Adam (GABRIEL BASSO) finds Marlene (PHYLLIS SOMERVILLE) in the backyard disoriented and wandering around.

9 The Ecstasy And The Agony

10/18/10

Dr. Todd (REID SCOTT) tells Cathy (LAURA LINNEY) that she's been rejected from the clinical trial. Sean (JOHN BENJAMIN HICKEY) sets up Marlene (PHYLLIS SOMERVILLE) on a date. At a party, Adam (GABRIEL BASSO) gets into a fight with Andrea (GABOUREY SIDIBE). Cathy and Lenny (IDRIS ELBA) take ecstasy together. Paul (OLIVER PLATT) catches Cathy and Lenny having sex. Paul gets too drunk at the dinner to celebrate his promotion, forcing Adam to drive home. Paul tells Cathy he wants a divorce.

10 Divine Intervention

10/25/10

Cathy (LAURA LINNEY) visits Andrea's (GABOUREY SIDIBE) family and seeks spiritual advice at church and while helping Marlene (PHYLLIS SOMERVILLE) around the house. Rebecca (CYNTHIA NIXON) calls it quits with Sean (JOHN BENJAMIN HICKEY) in order to reconcile her friendship with Cathy. Adam (GABRIEL BASSO) apologizes to Andrea. Reeling from the reveal of Cathy's affair, Paul (OLIVER PLATT) seeks revenge.

11 New Beginnings

11/1/10

Paul (OLIVER PLATT) seeks support from people at his work place, but gets more than he bargained for. Sean (JOHN BENJAMIN HICKEY) pulls away from Rebecca (CYNTHIA NIXON) when it appears she's getting too serious. Cathy (LAURA LINNEY), Marlene (PHYLLIS SOMERVILLE) and Rebecca, (Cynthia Nixon) have a girl's lunch at a strip joint which unexpectedly influences Cathy's thoughts about her cancer Adam (GABRIEL BASSO) meets a girl at the bus stop, MIA (ALEXANDRA SOCHA).

12 Everything That Rises Must Converge

11/8/10

Dr. Todd (REID SCOTT) and Cathy (LAURA LINNEY) go to see the Bee Man (LIAM NEESON) to seek non-traditional treatment for her cancer. Paul (OLIVER PLATT) is overly supportive of Cathy around the house. Sean (JOHN BENJAMIN HICKEY) gives Adam (GABRIEL BASSO) relationship advice about Mia (ANDREA SOCHA).

13 Taking The Plunge

11/15/10

Rebecca (CYNTHIA NIXON) reveals a secret to Sean (JOHN BENJAMIN HICKEY) that reconnects them. Dr. Todd (REID SCOTT) tells Paul (OLIVER PLATT) and Cathy (LAURA LINNEY) that the bee therapy did not work. Cathy reconsiders her options. Adam (GABRIEL BASSO) finally shows his softer side in an unexpected way.

About this show

THE BIG C stars three-time Emmy® winner Laura Linney as Cathy Jamison, a reserved, suburban wife/mother/teacher whose cancer diagnosis forces her to shake up her life and find hope, humor and light in a dark situation. Oliver Platt co-stars, along with special guest star Gabourey Sidibe, and guest stars Reid Scott and Cynthia Nixon.

Ratings and reviews

4.6

150 reviews

A Google user

June 27, 2012

This show is incredible. When I first picked it up, I thought it was going to be dark and depressing throughout the entire series, but I was pleasantly surprised that it was actually very humorous. The show addresses the main character's affliction in such an elegant way. It is anything but cliche. The main character's people pleasing personality adds such depth to the emotion and story of this show. Because it is airs on Showtime, the story isn't afraid to go there, and I wouldn't recommend watching it with the kids. It is definitely an adult's show. All in all, the story is inspiring and will give viewers a lot to think about.

17 people found this review helpful

A Google user

July 4, 2012

This is one of the best TV shows on the air today. Its also one of my favorites. I have been totally hooked on this series since the very first episode, and will be following it till the very last episode. Cathy is nothing but inspirational and she is a joy to watch. Would give this show a 10 star rating if I could. 5 well deserved stars.

5 people found this review helpful

A Google user

July 23, 2012

I like this show, I started watching it at the same time is started watching breaking bad and realized that both shows take the idea of people going crazy when they get cancer, and then run in the complete opposite direction with it.

4 people found this review helpful

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