The Big C

Plagued with dreams about her late neighbor, Marlene, Cathy is upset to learn that Dr. Todd is discontinuing her chemotherapy because it isn't working. Though Todd wants to wait until she's stronger to try again, Cathy seeks a second opinion from a doctor who's had success with Stage IV cancer patients. As she struggles to get an appointment with Dr. Atticus Sherman, Cathy balks when Adam...

Back at school after chemotherapy, Cathy is uncomfortable with the sympathy she is getting from her students. But Andrea makes it clear that she's glad Cathy is back and, as far as she's concerned, nothing has changed. After venting to Paul about her uncomfortable return, Cathy heads to her much-anticipated appointment with Dr. Atticus Sherman, where she meets Nadine, a patient whose success...

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.

While they're working out together in the high school swimming pool, swim team member Greta Johnson tells Cathy that the two-time state championship team may have to cancel their upcoming season because the coach has taken a new job. An All-American swimmer in college herself, Cathy decides to help out, tells the principal she'll step in, and refuses to take no for an answer. Meanwhile, as...

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...

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).

As Cathy revels in Sean's return following his two-week stint with a traveling carnival, Paul looks to cover up his real reason for leaving his job – the threat of a random drug test that would reveal his cocaine use. With Paul fighting to convince their insurance company to make good on a medical bill they are refusing to pay, Cathy decides to honor her late friend Lee by running in the...