Flee to OZARK

Article first published as TV Review: OZARK on Seat42F.

Netflix’s newest series, OZARK, is a prime example of a streaming series that takes more than one episode to make a true pilot. The first hour sets up the lead character, Marty Byrde (Jason Bateman, who is also producing the series and directing four episodes), who the man is and the situation that drives him to desperation. But it won’t be until subsequent installments for viewers to get to know much of the rest of the cast and plot threads.

As OZARK begins, Marty has just found out that his wife, Wendy (Laura Linney, The Big C), is cheating on him. Before he decides what to do about it, his blowhard business partner, Bruce (Josh Randall, Quarry), is caught skimming money by the drug kingpin they launder for, Del (Esai Morales, Caprica). Del wants revenge, but Marty thinks fast, saying Chicago is too hot to keep working in, and proposes a move to the Ozarks instead. Del accepts Marty’s offer, albeit on a sort of probation. So Marty packs up his family and moves, which is when much of the ongoing story will probably begin.

Despite realizing that much of what unfolds over episode one is just set up, I found it a compelling, intense hour of drama. Given that this is a streaming series, and that I did not check cast list nor press release prior to viewing, the installment contained many surprises, and I wasn’t quite sure what would happen. Even a couple of familiar faces don’t survive the initial offering, and so one can’t take for granted who the players of the show are, or how things are going to shake out.

While Netflix made more than one episode available, I wanted to write this review before watching further. Knowledge colors perspective and what would be said, and on a show like OZAK, I feel the fewer spoilers, the better. If the other nine hours can come even close to reaching the stress-inducing pace of the first, this will be a show people will binge and talk about. I’d like to preserve the specialness of that status, as I am hooked by the premiere.

Bateman and Linney are great, of course. Linney is easy to hate right off the bat, and the ‘twists’ she is part of, while predictable, are also necessary to get things rolling. I assume there will be more to her. Bateman, on the other hand, seems like such a good guy, the put-upon hero, that it’s hard to match that up with the illegal activities we find out he’s been engaging in for some time. Unless his quietness is guilt. OZARK doesn’t treat Marty as an antihero or a shady character, not at first anyway, but we know he absolutely is. Which is a testament to what Bateman can do with a role.

OZARK will be the kind of show to make you question not only your own life choices, but wonder about the friends and family you think you know. Who’s really out to make a quick buck, and what moral lines will they cross (or not cross)? Who can you trust, and at the end of the day, is everyone really just selfish? Can love motivate people to set aside their own self-interests? These are just some of the musings I’ve had after watching the first episode.

One of the creators, Bill Dubuque, is the writer behind The Judge, The Accountant, and A Family Man. The other, Mark Williams, produced two of those films. Which should tell you the tone and type of plot to expect from OZARK. I certainly feel it right away, and am excited to see a premise like this played out over seasons, rather than a mere two hours. OZARK is not entirely different than other series running right now, but has a specific take that makes it worthy.

OZARK’s first season releases tomorrow for Netflix subscribers.

THE BIG C "The Finale" Review

Article first published as THE BIG C "The Finale" Review on TheTVKing.

Showtime's The Big C came to an understated end this week in "The Finale." Rather than make a big showy production, the final hour is about Cathy's (Laura Linney) last days, and the way that her loved ones say goodbye to her. Each of the main characters get a touching scene with Cathy, and the hour ends when she passes on.

I do kind of wish we'd gotten to see her funeral. Yes, Cathy's ending, speaking to her therapist (Kathy Najimy) about her story, taking Angel's hand (Michael Ray Escamilla), swimming in the pool with Marlene (Phyllis Somerville) and her dog, is sweet and appropriate, matching tone and closing that The Big C has been building to. It's nice enough that I won't complain about other deceased characters not appearing there, which I had hoped for going in. But I'd like to know what the effect of her actual death had on her loved ones, not just how they prepared themselves for her going.

Andrea (Gabourey Sidibe) can leave town with no regrets. She is willing to give up her fashion design internship to stay and watch Cathy die, but Cathy convinces her not to. By Cathy passing away so soon after that conversation, Andrea will get to attend the funeral and go to New York City, presumably. It's a happy ending for her.

Adam (Gabriel Basso) may be relieved. He works so hard to earn his high school diploma before Cathy's death, and barely succeeds. Now that everything he has devoted himself to these past few months is over, he can finally take a moment to relax. He is a good son who does everything he can to let Cathy die with no regrets, and deserves a reprieve.


Paul (Oliver Platt) also needs a break so he can heal and move on. His marriage to Cathy never does explicitly repair itself, regrettably, but his sticking by her until the end, taking care of her, visiting her, is his way of trying to make up for the mistakes he has made. He does right by her, and can grieve properly, conscience clear.

Sean (John Benjamin Hickey) also has much to be proud of. When his character is introduced on The Big C, he needs help. Taking care of Cathy, instead of she taking care of him, has let Sean grow as a person and become self-sufficient. He will miss his sister, to be sure, but he also has the skills to live in a house now, and be a productive member of society. Giving away his kidney, especially to someone so despicable as the recipient is, is a responsible, adult decision which shows how far he has come.

And Cathy gets closure with her dad (Brian Dennehy). He has not been an important part of The Big C, but in Cathy's final days, she gets to make peace with him, something important to helping her move on. I don't think this comes out of nowhere, having heard Cathy and Sean discuss their upbringing before, and it does feel right, even if he is a new character. It's part of life for parents and children to squabble, but to have that time together, to make amends, is priceless.

Cathy spends much of "The Finale" preparing to die, so that she will go out on a good note. She plans her funeral, talks to religious representatives (one of the best scenes in the episode), considers assisted suicide, and even tries to will herself to go out on her own terms. The fact that she's still alive, four months after she expects to die, and has to be kicked out of hospice, shows just how strong a person Cathy is. Yet, she can't control death, as she is forced to accept.

Cathy's last decision is her final words. She chooses "lucky me" because it is the perfect way to sum up her life. We don't know for sure if those are her last words, though they might be, since we don't see what she says after eating the homemade strawberry pie, and that seems a likely phrase. But those are her final words to each of the people she loves. None of them are there when she passes, which I'm sure she is grateful for. Instead, she gets to send them off right, leaving them with the memory of her she wants them to have, smiling and saying "lucky me."

I think we should all say "lucky me" for getting to watch The Big C. It is an original story, one many can relate to, but also forging its own path, avoiding the stereotypes such a tale usually engages in. It's charming, funny, depressing, and inspiring all at once. "The Finale" might not be what one would expect, but it should leave fans feeling proper closure. So to all involved, I say "lucky me" for getting to watch your fine series. Thank you.

Review / Refresher The Big C Hereafter Premiere

Article first published as Review / Refresher The Big C Hereafter Premiere on TheTVKing.

When last we see Cathy Jamison (Laura Linney), she is sailing away on a boat with a man named Angel (Michael Ray Escamilla), allowing her loved ones to believe she is dead. As THE BIG C’s final season, four hours that are subtitled HEREAFTER, begins tonight with “Quality of Life,” we learn that scenario is a dream had while Cathy is rescued from drowning and hospitalized, and, five months later, Cathy is back at home, slowly dying.

It’s a little disappointing that much of the story seen in the previous season finale didn’t actually happen. And yet, taking the selfish way out, sailing off into the sunset, leaving her friends and family behind, makes Cathy unlikeable. It’s a fantasy, not one to really be explored.

THE BIG C HEREAFTER doesn’t take long to find its footing, getting fans right back into the story. Cathy is going through the depression stage of her grief, and while her family is as supportive as they can be, she tells her therapist (Kathy Najimy, King of the Hill, Sister Act) that she doesn’t have anyone to talk to. This is Cathy pre-emptively cutting herself off, preparing to die.

It’s hard to blame her for her pessimistic attitude. Sean (John Benjamin Hickey) is much more attentive to her needs, but it’s probably because of his guilt at almost letting her drown, and he is vocal about being grossed out by Cathy’s biological issues. Paul (Oliver Platt) isn’t pushing for a divorce anymore, but he’s sleeping on the couch, hanging out with his perky, annoying new assistant, Amber (Liz Holtan, Man on a Ledge), and ignoring offers of sex from Cathy. And she doesn’t want to burden her son, Adam (Gabriel Basso), or new college student, Andrea (Gabourey Sidibe), whom she hopes will live their lives.

However, Cathy’s inability to be open with her loved ones is not helping her or them. How can she draw on them for support if she won’t tell them what’s going on? How can they properly deal with what’s happening if they aren’t kept in the loop?

The pressure finally gets to be too much for Cathy, and, spurred on after a discussion with Dr. Sherman (Alan Alda), who is now also undergoing chemo, she decides to blow off some steam at the most inappropriate of places – school – much to Principal Schuler’s (Connie Ray) dismay.

As cringe-worthy as it is when Cathy pulls off her stunt with the loudspeaker, she delivers a lot of truths. She urges the kids to do something that makes them happy, while admitting that teaching is not her real calling. She also laments about the broken school system, where teaching to the test is not nearly as important as actually learning. These are valid concerns, while not being anything new, and it’s nice that she gets to express them, her final message to her students, whom she does care about, no matter what her opinions are of the educational system.

It’s disappointing that Schuler tries to prevent this, especially after pushing so hard to get Cathy to quit. After all, Cathy is dying, shouldn’t she get her final wish? Yet, seeing it from Schuler’s point of view, Cathy does cause a lot of trouble, and the speech she does make isn’t completely innocent, so I don’t know that I would want her to speak to the students, either.

Thankfully, Cathy doesn’t stay miserable and lonely through the entire hour. She is making her way through the seven stages of grief, being around step four at this time, and she does rebound when her
anti-depressants finally kick in. She is able to enjoy being with Sean, lean on Andrea when they both need each other, and give Adam the best birthday of his life.

The way that Cathy will go out, and I do think that THE BIG C HEREAFTER will end with her death, is going to depend fully on her relationships. She’s had her fun, striking off on her own and doing things separate from her family. Now it’s time to reel herself back in and rebuild those bridges. She does a great job with most of the people in her life in “Quality in Life,” especially Adam, who she shares his best story with her yet, but she still has some work to do before the end.

Will Cathy survive until Adam’s graduation, more than a year and a half away? I don’t know, but it seems like the perfect bookend to the series, even if they do a mock ceremony before his class actually walks across that stage.

Cathy is making her peace, and this is helped by the comforting company awaiting her on the other side. Marlene (Phyllis Somerville) and her dog, Thomas, are part of “Quality of Life.” They are what will make Cathy’s passing hopeful and sweet, rather than just sad. Their presence here points to a happy ending, even if the cancer wins, rather than just a teary demise.

Paul, however, is still the odd man out. Even while everyone else rallies around Cathy, he keeps a bit of distance between himself and his wife. It has to be incredibly hard to deal with a dying spouse, and I don’t pretend to know what he’s going through, but this needs some resolution. Maybe in life there isn’t always closure, but I really want Paul and Cathy to make up before she goes. They still care about one another, and with so little time left, they should reconnect in the ways that brought them together in the first place, even if only at the last minute.

“Quality of Life” is heartwarming, satisfying return for a series that is about to go out, like its main character, on its own terms. THE BIG C HEREAFTER airs Mondays at 10p.m. ET for the next four weeks.

"Fly Away" from The Big C

In this week's season three finale of Showtime's The Big C, the plot is all about getting away from the routine life so that one can finds oneself. Sometimes it takes stepping back to get a clear perspective, and that is the message of "Fly Away." The main cast has literally flown away to Puerto Rico for a much-needed vacation, where they blow the dust off and confront issues that have been brewing, as well as decide what direction to take their lives in next.

Paul (Oliver Platt) is deeply saddened by the death of Joy (Susan Sarandon), and takes comfort in talking to her fans about how he feels. Paul's growth as a public speaker, using his near death experience to inspire others, is a great turn of events for him, giving purpose to a sometimes meandering character. Paul is still struggling to come into his own until Joy passes on. This gives him the extra boost to really make it in the arena, and he is poised to take over her empire.

At the same time that his new career is taking off, though, his personal life is suffering. He has found out about Cathy's (Laura Linney) secret identity, Alexis, where she pretends that her husband died of a heart attack. This shakes him to the core, and seems awfully hypocritical after Cathy blew a movie deal for them because she didn't want to see "herself" die on screen. Maybe the Alexis charade helps Cathy to cope, but it does the opposite for Paul, driving a wedge between them. Which is probably why he goes up a hotel room with another woman, pretending to be "Brian," a man whose wife has died of cancer, both to even the score, and to see what it's like to do what Cathy has been doing.

It's hard to argue that Paul and Cathy have a healthy marriage, with stories like this. They are under a great deal of stress, of course, but is that really an excuse? Instead of leaning on each other for support, they seek it elsewhere. Now, it is reasonable to assume that they are in no position to support each other, given their various tribulations. But still, if they are going to work as a couple past the next year or so, there has to be a huge change in the way they relate to each other. Learn to trust and work together more, rather than continue this unhealthy path.

Adam (Gabriel Basso), while not heavily featured in "Fly Away," is figuring out how to relate to God. It's not surprising that he turns to a higher power. After all, his parents are a bit too preoccupied with their own stuff to really pay as much attention to him as they should. Not only does Adam have to deal with the worries about his parents' health, he also has to handle the stress of a fractured marriage. This is a lot for any kid to take. At least religion is (a little) less self-destructive than some other comforts he might turn to.

Andrea (Gabourey Sidibe) spends this entire season getting in touch with her African roots, wanting to change her name and wardrobe. But it only takes one conversation in a foreign land to help her to realize that it's not necessary to be so forceful in celebrating one's culture. Andrea should embrace all of who she is, and not just focus on one thing. This is a natural part of maturation for any young adult, and it's been nice to watch Andrea go through it, especially because her character is so confident that one often forgets she isn't fully developed yet.

Sean's (John Benjamin Hickey) story this year is all about the sex. He is a gay phone sex worker, then he is part of a doomed thruple. But in "Fly Away," his libido takes him away from his sister during a scuba diving expedition, and Cathy is lost. Sean shows some real anger and guilt in this episode, and that will surely continue into season four, sending him on a path where he shows more concern for his only sister, rather than just chasing tail. This is also a little bit of maturation, proving it's never too late to grow up.

Cathy herself has the most divisive story. Lost while diving, she ends up on a fishing boat with a man named Angel (Michael Ray Escamilla). Finding a strange sort of serenity on Angel's boat that she doesn't get from her tumultuous family, Cathy envisions a life with Angel that is less stressful. Considering that she recently gets news that her tumors are growing again, and she could soon be dead, this lifestyle greatly appeals to her. Why waste what little time you have left in a negative, poisonous situation? And so she rides off into the sunset with Angel (not in a romantic way; he's happily married), not returning to her family, or letting them know she's even alive.

This is a very, very selfish act. Of all the things that Cathy has done, this is the most cruel. The others will hear Sean's story and believe that she drowned in the ocean. What kind of memory does that leave them with? How will they find closure? Not to mention, what will it do to Sean's sometimes fragile mental state? Perhaps it is kinder to take herself out of the equation and let them move on, but the way in which Cathy does so leaves a very bad taste in one's mouth.

And yet, might this be the right path for her? Each of us only get one life, and it's easy to see why she wants an escape from her current reality. It's a vacation, to be sure, and not a permanent change. She will miss her loved ones, and want to return home. Of course, going home after doing this to them will be difficult, and make things even more rocky than they already are. Drama is sure to follow in spades. Which makes for a bad life, but great television.

The Big C has not yet been renewed for a fourth season, but it needs to be. It took a little time to find its stride, but the series really knows what it is now. Each season is also about a different stage of grief, of which there are seven, so the story isn't even quite half over yet. It would be a service to the fans to let the entire thing play out the way it is intended to be. Sure, season four's depression might be dark and hard to get through, but there are better things coming, and that inspiring message of hope should be enough to keep viewers coming back. Please give The Big C the chance to do this.

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'The Big C' not really on 'Thin Ice'

Showtime's The Big C begins its third season with "Thin Ice." Cathy (Laura Linney) gets some great news from Dr. Sherman (Alan Alda), in that her tumors have shrunk considerably. But it's hard to completely give in to her joy when she is worried about Paul's (Oliver Platt) fragile health, so Cathy starts a second, secret life, going by the name Alexis. She also arranges for Sean (John Benjamin Hickey) to serve as guardian to Adam (Gabriel Basso), should something happen to her and Paul.

It's quite a relief that The Big C did not kill off Paul. Yes, he is dead briefly, but his recovery is a welcome one for audiences, who don't want to see Cathy drowning in sorrow. If she loses her positive attitude, she may loose her battle with cancer, too. So Paul is back, as bumbling as ever, and far less concerned with his own mortality than Cathy is.

Which is kind of a bad thing for Cathy. After all, had Paul died, at least she wouldn't have to worry about him anymore. Instead, not only does she have to concern herself with her caner, and who will take care of Adam, and Sean's lack of heat in his house, but also Paul, who is self-destructive. It's a lot for anyone to handle, and so it isn't a big surprise that she needs some outlet away from all of these headaches. In fact, the only surprise is that it's taken her so long to come to that realization.

But Cathy's new persona gets her into trouble. While hanging out at a bar, she signs up for a broom ball team. Practicing at home on her filled-in pool hole, she tumbles through the ice and almost drowns. Is this a sign to Cathy that she needs to back out of her fantasy? Maybe find some healthier, less stealthy way to relax and escape from her responsibilities? One where a family member can watch over her?

Cathy's fall also awakens a new idea about death to her family. Prior to this, they worry about cancer and bad hearts. But Cathy's brush with dying in "Thin Ice" shows that accidents happen, and one's life can end at any time. Hopefully this will sober Paul up a bit, and help him to take his situation more seriously.

Sean has been maturing a lot, and this continues in "Thin Ice." Still upset at losing the baby and Rebecca (Cynthia Nixon) leaving him, he takes his role as guardian to Adam very seriously. Even though Adam is nearly grown, and Cathy and Paul are still kicking, Sean wants to be a caring adult to his nephew. It's gratifying to see this change in him, and a sort of stability suits the formerly homeless man.

Also, Andrea (Gabourey Sidibe) returns home from Africa, clad in ritual garb and wanting to go by a new tribal name. Likely, this is more a way to cope with her betrayal by Myk (Boyd Holbrook) than a true commitment to heritage, and will not last long. But whatever helps Andrea and makes her feel better is certainly worth doing.

Watch The Big C Sundays at 9:30 p.m. ET on Showtime.

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! To catch up on The Big C with DVDs and streaming episodes, please click here. Read every review of The Big C I've ever written. Article first published as TV Review: The Big C - "Thin Ice" on Blogcritics.

'The Big C' second season finale

With the premiere of season three of The Big C only a day away, it seems appropriate to look back at the season two finale. "Crossing the Line" aired in the middle of the fall network TV premiere season, meaning that it may have been overlooked amid the many other offerings, and this particular reviewer sadly did not watch it until this morning. This also means that The Big C has one of the shortest hiatuses between seasons in premium cable history, as usually HBO and Showtime shows air for two or three months, then take the next nine to twelve months off.

In "Crossing the Line," Cathy (Laura Linney) decides she will run a marathon, inspired by Lee (Hugh Dancy), who recently died. Her son, Adam (Gabriel Basso), and brother, Sean (John Benjamin Hickey), are supportive and cheer her on. Even Dr. Todd (Reid Scott) gets on board, though he thinks it's a bad idea, given Cathy's ill health. But Paul (Oliver Platt), struggling with a cocaine addiction and frustration at life in general, is late. And when he appears to her at the finish lane with the ghosts of Lee and Marlene (Phyllis Somerville), Cathy collapses, fearing the worst.

Though The Big C is a dramedy, meaning that humor is a major element, dark themes of death pervade the series. The passing of Marlene in season one and Lee in season two reinforce that everyone dies, and one's time can come at any age. The message is to live on, inspired by the memories of those who have gone, and make the best of the time one has left.

But Paul's croaking in "Crossing the Line" comes as a total shock. He isn't exactly fit, but he's not old or inform, either. The drugs he takes aggravate his heart, and it looks like curtains for him. Coming so close on the heel's of Lee's passing, viewers are not looking for someone else to go. It's also a hell of a depressing way to end a season, where one assumes they will be uplifted by Cathy's triumphant finishing of the race, but finds they are completely wrong.

Will Paul's death stick? His appearance at the finish line implies that he is dead, but the audience is also shown medical professionals working on his body. It is not inconceivable that they will revive him, and that his demise is not permanent. This would not cheapen the moment, by any means, because Paul is integral to the show.

Plus, Cathy has suffered enough, and does not need to loose her husband, too. After everything, that might just take the will to live out of her. It would soon leave Adam an orphan, though, realistically, that probably will not happen until the series finale. His passing would provide a nice counterpoint to dealing with expected death versus the unexpected death. And season three would be about building Cathy's fighting spirit back up. If Paul does dies, which one hopes is not the case.

Because of this inspiring story, there is no point in getting into the question of how Cathy sees ghosts, even the one of someone she isn't aware is dead, yet. Nor should one wonder why it takes Cathy until well after dark to finish her run. Instead, just enjoy the emotional heart of the story.

Anticipation is high for the season three premiere, which airs tomorrow night (Sunday) at 9:30 p.m. ET on Showtime. Or, for those who like to watch TV on their computers, the episode is already streaming live on the series' website.

If you like my reviews, please follow me on Twitter! To catch up on The Big C with DVDs and streaming episodes, please click here. Read every review of The Big C I've ever written.

The Big C celebrates "The Last Thanksgiving"

     This week's episode of Showtime's The Big C is called "The Last Thanksgiving." Who's last Thanksgiving will it be? Cathy's (Laura Linney)? Because her cancer treatment seems to be working. Lee's (Hugh Dancy)? He isn't getting the same results as Cathy. Mykailo's (Boyd Holbrook), at least to spend with Andrea (Gabourey Sidibe)? Nah, they work out their romantic issues before the closing credits.

     Turns out there are not one, but two deaths before the end of the episode. The first is the turkey that Sean (John Benjamin Hickey) brings home, but only Cathy can bring herself to slaughter. The second is newly engaged couple Sean and Rebecca's (Cynthia Nixon) unborn child.

     For a series about death, The Big C tries to avoid getting too gloomy too often. There is a major death at the end of season one, but mostly, the series focuses on survival. Not so in "The Last Thanksgiving." This may be because Cathy and / or Lee might be dead by next year. OK, so only Lee might be dead, as Cathy is the main character. But also because of two departed souls who aren't even part of the cast, but make a real impact. The baby's effects are obvious, of course, and Adam (Gabriel Basso) humanizes the turkey by naming it. Sean claims this is why he won't kill the bird, but does anyone really believe Sean would manage to go through with it?

     "The Last Thanksgiving" is also about love. Cathy and her family are closer than ever. Mykailo and Andrea are only just blossoming romantically, but already show a lot of potential, and are quickly becoming a more important part of the cast. Rebecca and Sean deciding to tie the knot cinches the argument. But all of this love is likely fleeting. Can Rebecca and Sean stay together after losing their child? Will Andrea keep dating Mykailo when it comes out that he is a petty thief? And how happy will everyone be once Cathy passes away, which seems an inevitable move for The Big C, even if it is postponed until the series finale.

     This episode is strong compared to some of the others. Any series with a good enough cast can do a great "box" episode, one in which the major players are confined in a relatively small space, in this case the Jamison house, for almost the entire half hour. It's a popular sitcom trope, and is usually welcome when done well. The Big C proves they can handle it this week. Sure, there are a few scenes outside of the main setting, but not many.

     The only weak point of "The Last Thanksgiving" is Paul's (Oliver Platt) decision to be cut in on Mykailo's illegal scheme. With the success of Weeds and Breaking Bad, perhaps criminals have become glamorized. But The Big C has enough going for it on its own without resorting to such tactics. It's been done. Stick with what works for your show; no need to borrow from others.

     The Big C airs Monday nights at 10:30 p.m. ET on Showtime.

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Article first published as TV Review: The Big C - "The Last Thanksgiving" on Blogcritics.

The Big C is "Losing Patients"

     Showtime's The Big C returns for a second season with "Losing Patients." In the premiere, Cathy (Laura Linney) questions whether staying with Dr. Todd (Reid Scott) is the right choice after he discontinues the treatment she began. Cathy confesses to Paul (Oliver Platt) that Dr. Todd kissed her, and her husband takes the news predictably bad. Adam (Gabriel Basso) deals with his mother's illness by becoming an aggressive farter. Rebecca (Cynthia Nixon) learns of Cathy's disease, and lets it slip to Sean (John Benjamin Hickey), who is furious that his sister didn't tell him herself. And as Cathy deals with all of these emotional eruptions, as well as trying to secure a new doctor, she is visited by visions of dead neighbor Marlene (Phyllis Somerville).

     As a season premiere, this one kind of stinks. There is a lot of wrapping up of loose threads left hanging from last year (Todd's kiss, Sean not knowing), but does little to move things along, other than Cathy seeking to switch health care professionals. But The Big C forgoes big stunts for a longer series of arcs, and as an episode, "Losing Patients" is not bad at all. In fact, it captures the same spirit and tone of the rest of the episodes thus far, and so if you are a The Big C fan, it should fall right into the wheelhouse of what you enjoy.

     It is regrettable that this appears to be Dr. Todd's last episode. Scott is a talented actor, who was enjoyable in My Boys, and it is nice to see him doing something different. Because Cathy's next doctor will be played by the great Alan Alda (M*A*S*H, The West Wing), and there would never be any more romantic development between Cathy and Todd, the character is no longer necessary. But that doesn't mean he won't be missed.

     Choosing to keep Marlene around is both strange and wonderful. Strange, because using ghosts as part of the main story, especially when the conceit doesn't begin until season two, isn't really the vibe that The Big C puts off, so it is a little out of place. Wonderful, because Somerville was one of, if not the, best parts about season one, and so her suicide is a heartbreaker. It does not cheapen Marlene's death at all that she appears again. Somerville has been reduced to special guest star status, so how often and for how long she will be around is unknown at this point. It is unlikely she will stick for the entire series run, unless The Big C only goes for two years.

     Nixon should be upgraded to main character, because she really provides a necessary service to the show. Sean is a strange fellow, and many of his homeless for morality bits have already been covered. Rebecca gives him new elements to play off of, and provides some nice drama when she comes between Sean and Cathy. She's not a very likeable person, but most of the characters are, so she provides a good balance.

     The Big C still suffers from meandering and cheesiness, something the first season struggled with. It's definitely the weak link in the Showtime half hour dramedy line up. However, the actors involved are fantastic, and any weaknesses may potentially be overcome. It's not terrible, just not excellent. For now, it's worth sticking around and waiting to see if that changes.

     The Big C airs Monday nights at 10:30 p.m. ET on Showtime.

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The Big C "Taking the Plunge"

    Showtime's newest half hour dramedy, The Big C, got off to a rocky start this past summer.  However, happily, the series improved as the episodes went by, and the show ended with an exciting finale last night.  In the beginning, it was cliche and one-note characters that harmed The Big C, but as each week unfolded, each figure got more defined, and developed personality.  There were a few bumps along the way, but some surprises twists and touching moments made this show a permanent spot on my TiVo season pass list.

     Cathy (Laura Linney) finally told her family about her cancer, and that's when things really started taking off.  A large chunk of the season was plagued by marital drama between Cathy and her husband, Paul (Oliver Platt), whom she kicked out almost as soon as she was diagnosed.  Perhaps it's a bit convenient that their union was saved so completly by Paul finding out why Cathy had been acting odd, but Paul always loved Cathy, and it's no wonder he wanted to protect her.  The show touched on Cathy having issues handing over control of anything to Paul, and asking for help.  Although they were not in evidence last night, I assume that will be the ongoing disagreement in season two.

     Cathy's son, Adam (Gabriel Basso) was handled more off-screen.  We only really saw his reaction to his mother deciding to undergo a dangerous treatment.  At first, I was sad at the omission.  But in retrospect, there was plenty of screen time given for Adam to seem completly unaffected by what should have been very emotional stuff, and so, the missing moment wasn't necessary.  Instead, Adam had a much more satisfying climax.  He accidentally discovered a key that he shouldn't have to a storage locker he wasn't supposed to go to until his mother passed away.  It was filled with gifts for his future birthdays, Christmases, graduations, etc.  While Adam had not even shown a frown through other issues, this brought him to tears, as I'm sure it did to any member of the audience with a soul.

     Sean (John Benjamin Hickey) also faced some last minute growth when his former lover, Rebecca (Sex and the City's Cynthia Nixon) told him that she was pregnant with his baby.  Homeless by choice, as part of an environmental activist philosophy, Sean had to do some major self reflection, knowing he would soon be responsibile for another human being.  Sure, Rebecca offered to raise the baby herself, but did anyone believe for a minute that Sean would accept that offer?  Cathy's gift of a house to him was the perfect step.  It didn't seem forced at all.  Still, there will be adjustment.  I chuckled when Sean went out and slept on the lawn because he just couldn't feel comfortable on the couch.  I hope this will earn Nixon a full-time promotion come season two.

     One of the biggest twists, though, came at the end of last week's penultimate episode, when Marlene (Phyllis Somerville), battling Alzheimer's, decided to put a bullet in her own face.  Her funeral was almost fun, as she planned it herself, complete with polka band and scratch off lottery tickets.  Marlene was probably my favorite character, and I felt as affected as the other characters by her choice.  At first, Cathy seemed to see Marlene's act as noble by ending things on her own terms.  Thankfully, the writers took the opportunity to show some of the consequences of her passing, and Cathy came to understand that she wanted to live.  I understand why someone facing such a grevious condition might choose to end it, but others are affected by your actions.  And some will be sad to see you again.  She will be missed.

     All in all, the show did not reach the brilliance of other Showtime hits, such as Weeds or Nurse Jackie, but it carved out it's own little niche, which it will hopefully occupy for at least a few years.

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The Big C premiere elicits a yawn

    It's hard to fairly judge a show by it's pilot.  I try not to, although if it has a really terrible pilot that I couldn't even sit through, then I don't expect subsequent episodes to be any better.  Showtime's new half hour offering, The Big C did not have a great pilot.  It was filled with cliches and trite dialogue.  However, I adore the lead, Laura Linney (John Adams), and the cast has plenty of other talent with Oliver Platt (The West Wing), John Benjamin Hickey, Reid Scott (My Boys), Gabriel Basso, Phyllis Somerville, and Gabourey Sidibe (Precious).  Admittedly, many of those people have a limited career history, but each held their own in the first episode.

     The series involves Linney's character, Cathy, dealing with cancer.  It isn't a big reveal held to the end of episode one.  It's the title issue.  Of course, she goes a little bit crazy.  She breaks into a neighbor's house, has a giant pool dug in her tiny back yard, and cusses and bribes a student.  But we can forgive her because she might die, right?  Right?  Sure, some erratic behavior is fine.  But in a society where so many of our population have had this terrible disease, and so many have fought it into remission and lived many, many years after, only a certain amount of bad behavior is tolerable before the character becomes unlikeable.  I'm not saying that's what has happened to Cathy... yet.  I don't wish to sound insensitive, and surely some may think I am being so, but I think she could deal with her emotions without turning into a tool.  Again, has not happened yet.

     The conceit of the series arrives with a number of limitations.  Will Cathy die or force the cancer into remission?  If the show gets any better, and it's high ratings for last week's premiere are a good sign that people will tune in, the writer's will surely go for the latter.  But how long will the story work if the main conceit is taken away?  They can do stories about how someone copes after the immediate death threat has been removed, but again, it won't be too long before that gets stale.  And then will the cancer return?  How many times can that be done before viewers stop caring?  If it does come back more than once, a happy ending to the show would be almost impossible to leave viewers satisfied.

     The Big C has some things to work out.  But then, so does Cathy.  It's good enough to earn some more watch time, including the second episode, which airs tonight.  The Big C airs Mondays nights at 10:30pm on Showtime.