What I’m Watching: The Big C (Series Finale)

The Big C: Season 4, Episode 4 “The Finale”

The final episode of this comedy-turned-drama was always going to be extremely emotional, and it didn’t disappoint. Cathy still exhibited some of her more morbid traits, like recommending a caterer for her funeral and discussing her last words, but it was clear that she really was ready, however much nearly been suffocated last episode may have startled her. Getting booted from hospice after her powerful conversations with various clergy members was an unfortunate development that seemed ready to direct Cathy to a physician-assisted suicide, but, despite the pressure of people around her to stay cheery, she actually did alright with the transition to home. Paul getting her dad was sweet, and he managed to be relatively kind considering what we knew about him and his relationship with his children. Giving the $400 check for flowers that he left for her to Ina was touching, and choosing her being ready to split the pie as the last moment to see Cathy alive was very moving. Paul going to get peonies and arriving back too late was heartbreaking, and the closing shot of Cathy lying in the pool with Marlene was a wonderful note on which to end. Giving the supporting characters their own sense of closure was a nice touch. I loved Sean’s last dose of antiestablishment liberalism, desperately trying to soak up as much left-wing knowledge as possible before giving up his kidney to a man who tried to give him a Rolex. Andrea getting offered an internship by Isaac Mizrahi, however unlikely, was great, and it was refreshing to see Adam apply himself for once and surprise Cathy with the best gift of all, getting to see him graduate. Though she didn’t necessarily say them right before she died, “Lucky me” was a fitting choice for her last words, and this was a very strong way to close a truly terrific Showtime series.

Series finale: A-
Season grade: A-
Season MVP: Laura Linney as Cathy
Series grade: A-
Series MVP: John Benjamin Hickey as Sean
Best Season: Season 3
Best Episode: “Crossing the Line”