Angel of Death? Advance Review: The Big C — Hereafter Season Premiere – “Quality of Life”

Season 4, Ep. 1

Air Date: Monday, April 29, 2013, 10PM E/P on Showtime

Rating: ★★★★★

Prepare yourself for an emotional journey through the final season of The Big C — Hereafter. If “Quality of Life” is any indicator of what this season holds in only 4-one hour episodes, and believe me, it is, then get your tissues ready for an incredible ride.

Last we saw, Cathy (Laura Linney) jumped back into the ocean blue to swim after Angel (Michael Ray Escamilla). We also learned Cathy’s tumors were growing despite being in a clinical trial and taking new medication. As we head into “Quality of Life,” it’s five months after the diving incident, and Cathy’s experience on Angel’s fishing boat might just have been a figment of her imagination.

Cathy gets an unexpected surprise during one of her chemo treatments which leads her to make a drastic change in her life

Cathy gets an unexpected surprise during one of her chemo treatments that leads her to make a drastic change in her life

What is interesting about this final season is how Cathy appears. She looks weary, and her long, flowing blonde hair is now cropped shorter due to brain surgery. Don’t let the gorgeous key art fool you, though. Cathy’s hair looks greasy, her skin is paler, and her beautiful blue eyes have lost some their luster. For anyone who’s seen the effects of what chemotherapy and radiation can do to a patient, this very realistic approach to her appearance holds truth. Linney does an excellent job of embodying the movements of someone who’s quite ill and in pain. While I’ve had my issues with Cathy throughout seasons past, at the end of the day, she is a mother and wife going through something none of us ever want to experience. Sadly, many of you have in one way or another – indirectly as a caregiver or family/friend or directly as a patient. Cancer touches so many lives but it can also unite.

Even as I struggle with some of the things Cathy says and does, it pleased me to see Dr. Sherman (guest star Alan Alda) be a little put off by Cathy’s insistence and repetitive questioning.

Even Dr. Sherman seems perturbed by Cathy’s presence…having a bad day, doc?

Cathy: “Oh, well, excuse me. I’m so sorry to be so annoying but don’t worry, I’ll be out of your life soon enough since I’m dying.”

Dr. Sherman: “And that makes you special, how?”

I think there is a taboo of sorts about speaking a certain way to those who are terminally ill. But, I will say this, after having to personally deal with someone in my life so insensitive to others prior to their illness only for them to continue being stolid after the diagnosis, I can say that sometimes, you just want that person to shut the hell up! Illnesses like cancer can be humbling but some people are just stuck in their old ways, and dying be damned, they’re still going to be ornery till the day they die. Can’t fault them for staying true to themselves but in Cathy’s case, sometimes she says one thing but does another. She doesn’t want anyone to feel sorry for her but when she mentions she has “chemo brain” to a mall information employee, Cathy seems bothered when the woman talks about her own experiences with chemo.

What a great brother Sean is...mind you they have to leave a bit earlier to appointments on time...

What a great brother Sean is…mind you, they have to leave a bit earlier to get to appointments on time…

Cathy’s brother Sean (John Hickey) is now her personal chauffeur, but to stay true to himself, he’s purchased a pedi-cab rather than drive Cathy around in a gas guzzler. To Sean’s mind, it’s great for the environment. And it works wonders on his gluts. (Am I the only one that finds Sean strangely alluring?) I absolutely love Hickey’s portrayal of a sometimes homeless Sean. He’s the comic relief for a very somber topic and in this final season, it’s much needed. Sean really wants to be there for Cathy. They’ve had a few rough years being estranged, among other family issues, so it makes me happy to see Sean be the doting brother, even giving up being a vegetarian to eat iron rich burgers with Cathy. That’s gotta be love, right?

Andrea and Adam watch as Sean and Cathy jump in the bouncy-castle Cathy got for Adam’s 16th b’day

Cathy’s son Adam (Gabriel Basso) will be “sweet 16” but for a guy, that sounds so lame. Cathy is determined to give him a great party despite Paul (Oliver Platt) being somewhat unsupportive. As you watch the episode, you learn Paul asked for a divorce five months ago and is sleeping on the couch. I really appreciate this aspect of the story telling. Not all marriages, even the good ones, are strong enough to tough things out when faced with serious illness/cancer; however, Paul is still there. He’s still the “flip that switch” guy, making ends meet with his sold out seminars. And with Cathy deciding to leave her job, he better keep flipping.

Andrea (Gabourey Sidibe) is a college student now and seemingly has a great roommate in the dorm. It’s obvious, however, to everyone except Cathy, that Andrea is making excuses to get away from her roomie when she constantly drops by to do laundry or pick up something else she’s forgotten. The friendship between Andrea and Cathy is a bright spot throughout The Big C. No matter the age difference, these two women have something the other needs, whether it’s a younger perspective or experienced wisdom. Cathy and Andrea complement each other in the best possible way.

Memorable line:

Cathy to Dr. Sherman: “I think I’m seeing the Angel of Death…Do you have any other patients who talk about seeing him? He’s got black hair, it’s curly, kind of sexy but married.”

Avoidance is a key point throughout “Quality of Life.” Paul and Andrea both try to avoid morbid topics of conversation, and Sean continues to be bright and positive, a strange change, because he’s avoiding the fact that his sister is dying. The most touching moment comes at the end when Cathy takes Adam to the storage unit where she’s keeping all his future birthday gifts. She poses a difficult proposition that no child should have to bear. Adam has really grown up over the last three seasons and continues to surprise me. Basso does a brilliant job of conveying Adam’s disappointment, coupled with a gentle understanding of what his mother is asking.

With only three more episodes until the epic series finale, things get more whacky, more emotional, more sparkly, and yes, a bit awkwardly morbid. The Big C — Hereafter presents a realistic point of view of how a family deals with cancer, told with laughter, tears, and most importantly, love.

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Tune in to The Big C — Hereafter, Mondays at 10PM E/P only on Showtime.

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Judy Manning

Dream chaser extraordinaire! Judy tends to be a tad sarcastic and kind of goofy! She is an avid admirer of all things supernatural, paranormal, celestial and mystical. She loves to read, write, and watches way too much TV. She enjoys many genres of film and music (and let's be honest, most music from the 80s). She also has a wicked sweet tooth. Cupcakes beware.