The Big C s2 ep 1
By going along with the idea that Cathy wouldn’t tell anyone about her cancer, The Big C boxed itself into a corner for most of season 1, only really managing to extricate itself in the finale (which, in Unpopcult’s view, was the best episode since the first). Free of that storytelling burden, season 2 started with what looked like a minor reboot: Dr Todd’s on the way out, after essentially steering Cathy towards palliative care, and the as-yet-unseen Dr Atticus Sherman (big name actor to come next week) will be taking over to ensure that Cathy lives long enough for three seasons at least.
Despite that, though, the show continued to fall frustratingly short of what it could be: Laura Linney, Oliver Platt, and John Benjamin Hickey are still terrific actors and engaging screen presences, but the unevenness of the first season was repeated in this episode. And given my long-standing distaste for dream sequences and dogs, having Marlene (dead) and her dog (alive, just about) hanging around contributing major emotional beats really didn’t work for me. So, y’know, OK.
I agree – I hated the (dead) Marlene bits. After the emotional sucker-punch of last season’s finale, which redeemed an uneven first season, was disappointed with this episode. Will hang on to see who plays Dr Sherman (I’m unusually unspoilered) but then I’m probably out.
Hi sunshinetomorrow: this business of dead characters reappearing to offer pithy commentary seems to be more and more common. And, frankly, it’s the writers wanting to have their cake and eat it – you get the emotional impact of killing a character and get to keep them in the show. I’m fed up with it.
I haven’t seen the next episode, but I’m spoilered for the casting of Dr Sherman; I’d say it’s worth hanging around for.
Ah, yes. A piece of casting to warm the heart of any fan of The West Wing.
On the basis that this was a fairly significant reset, I’m willing to allow this episode a free pass. But it was worth it for Cathy’s rant in Sherman’s waiting room and Sean’s rant at Cathy.
Agreed about the Marlene bits. I really hope this was a one-off and won’t become a regular thing.
Incidentally, I only discovered the other day that they shoot the show in Connecticut (why can I never spell that right?), which they pass off as Minneapolis. A bit odd. Something to do with tax breaks, I guess?
This show disgusts me. I’ve seen the next one, but I won’t be touching it again with a barge pole. It’s portrayal of bipolar disorder is ill-informed, completely negative, unsympathetic, sensationalist and hyperbolic. Destroys years of progress. Cathy needs a slap.