Review: The Big C, Season 2, Ep 5 "Cats and Dogs"

Air Date: Monday, July 25, 2011 10:00pm E/P

Rating ★★★★★

And in this corner, weighing in as deadly… Cancer! The opening sequence to “Cats and Dogs” parodies the fight against cancer as a boxing match with Cathy (Laura Linney) in a junior heavyweight class while cancer takes the ultra, mega, super heavyweight goliath class.

Review: The Big C, Season 2, Ep 5 "Cats and Dogs" 1

Cathy (Laura Linney) visits Paul (Oliver Platt) at his new (interim) job at Max Buy

Cathy is stressing about money now that Paul (Oliver Platt) lost his job. While Paul is out schmoozing with a former colleague on a potential job prospect, Cathy rifles through her jewelry to see what she can pawn. It’s funny how Lee (guest star Hugh Dancy) comments on Cathy’s taste in jewelry being similar to an eccentric older lady. I’m glad these two reconciled a bit. I think Lee could be a positive in Cathy’s life – he understands what she’s going through better than anyone. But she keeps herself guarded a bit. Lee says, “You know what’s great about you? You have the face of a cheerleader and the attitude of a bouncer. I like it.”

After a near mugging just moments from exiting the pawn shop, the mugger discovers he’s picked the wrong two people to ask, “You wanna die?” They are both stage four cancer patients, so whether they want to die or not, it’s inevitable isn’t it? I crack up when Cathy begins laughing, then Lee joins in and the mugger abruptly leaves thinking they are both nuts. But once the laughter stops, Cathy realizes the mugger could have had a gun and shot them both, so Lee takes her back to his place for a drink. Of course, being the sex-crazed audience we are, we naturally assume when Lee strokes Cathy’s face as she lies on his bed that he will lean in to kiss her. Well, that’s what we get for assuming Lee is straight. Turns out he’s “a true cocksman.”

Review: The Big C, Season 2, Ep 5 "Cats and Dogs" 2

Lee (Hugh Dancy) and Cathy (Laura Linney) leaving the pawn shop

Cathy seems a bit full of herself thinking every guy she meets wants her sexually. Sure Lenny (Idris Elba, in season one) was totally into her but Cathy has been rubbing me the wrong way lately. She’s coming off as pretentious and snobby. Maybe I’m reading more into it but I wish she would be more compassionate. I think Lee could definitely help her in that area. Otherwise, she may just have a “desolate death.”

Cathy: “When I go, I’m gonna go with a bang! I want…I want a band. I want a brass band or a clown band; it’s probably all we can afford…and fireworks!”

Lee: “Nice! That is keeping it classy, Jamison.”

Cathy: “AND a crowd! I want family, friends, and my former students and my old girl scout troop including the mean deaf girl…and they should all be crying…and…but not enough so that they don’t enjoy the chocolate fountain…and the bacon.”

LOL! Who doesn’t love bacon?

And I don’t know about the newly medicated Sean (John B. Hickey). He’s still environmentally friendly but he’s not as feisty as before. However, he does lash out at some ‘mommies’ in the park who won’t loan him their infant to test his new “Tolkey Tote” for babies. I wouldn’t either. He’s a complete stranger but more importantly his “tote” is made from hand-me down rags and old pot holders. Seriously, it’s one thing to be green but come on, at least get matching clean fabric. But I will say Sean is a great uncle. He comes to Adam’s (Gabriel Basso) aid after Adam unwittingly asks for more than he could pay for with a hooker. Yes, a hooker. I don’t know why Adam can’t wait to get intimate with his girlfriend Mia (Alexandra Socha). I mean, he’s already cheated on her once with the girl at school and now this! I think he’ll regret it soon enough.

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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.