The BEST episodes of The Big C season 1

Every episode of The Big C season 1, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of The Big C season 1!

A suburban mother faces her cancer diagnosis while trying to find humor and happiness as well

Last Updated: 11/6/2024Network: Paramount+ with ShowtimeStatus: Ended
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Taking the Plunge
star
8.01
674 votes

#1 - Taking the Plunge

Season 1 - Episode 13 - Aired 11/15/2010

In the Season 1 finale, Cathy receives the news about her bee treatments.

Directors: Michael Engler
Writer: Darlene Hunt
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Pilot
star
7.71
1215 votes

#2 - Pilot

Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 8/16/2010

After being diagnosed with melanoma, Cathy decides to build a pool in her backyard, much to the chagrin of her older curmudgeonly neighbor, Marlene. Cathy’s son, Adam, plays pranks on her while her husband Paul tries to get back in her good graces. Cathy also tries to reconnect with her willfully homeless brother Sean, and devises a weight-loss plan for Andrea, one of her summer school students.

Directors: Bill Condon
Writer: Darlene Hunt
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Summer Time
star
7.63
1003 votes

#3 - Summer Time

Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 8/23/2010

Cathy learns from Dr. Todd just how little time she has left, and for the first time in her life, starts to appreciate her body. Paul tries to make sense of his wife's request to live apart for the summer by signing up for couples therapy. Adam, desperate to get away from his "crazy" mom, attempts to sneak off to soccer camp without her knowing.

Directors: Michael Engler
Writer: Darlene Hunt
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Everything That Rises Must Converge
star
7.60
757 votes

#4 - Everything That Rises Must Converge

Season 1 - Episode 12 - Aired 11/8/2010

Dr. Todd and Cathy go to see the Bee Man to seek non-traditional treatment for her cancer. Paul is overly supportive of Cathy around the house. Sean gives Adam relationship advice about Mia.

Directors: Michael Engler
Writer: Jenny Bicks
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Playing the Cancer Car
star
7.58
819 votes

#5 - Playing the Cancer Car

Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 9/13/2010

Cathy, eager to try on a carefree, impulsive persona, drains her 401K, buys a convertible and imagines what life would be like if she were Dr. Todd's girlfriend. At his therapist's urging, Paul reignites his passion for rugby. Sean goes to great lengths to knock out a tooth without the help of a dentist. Meanwhile, Adam gets caught stealing and is surprised when Marlene comes to his rescue, until he finds out there are strings attached.

Directors: Craig Zisk
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
New Beginnings
star
7.48
830 votes

#6 - New Beginnings

Season 1 - Episode 11 - Aired 11/1/2010

Paul seeks support from people at his work place, but gets more than he bargained for. Sean pulls away from Rebecca when it appears she’s getting too serious. Cathy, Marlene and Rebecca have a girl’s lunch at a strip joint -- which unexpectedly influences Cathy’s thoughts about her cancer. Adam meets a girl, Mia, at the bus stop.

Directors: Michael Lehmann
Writer: Cara DiPaolo
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Blue-Eyed Iris
star
7.45
955 votes

#7 - Blue-Eyed Iris

Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 9/20/2010

Cathy meets someone new to feel sexy again. Meanwhile, Cathy's eccentric brother Sean tries to keep his building and Adam is caught while watching pornography.

Directors: Craig Zisk
Writer: Cara DiPaolo
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Happy Birthday, Cancer
star
7.36
724 votes

#8 - Happy Birthday, Cancer

Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired 10/11/2010

For her birthday, Paul surprises Cathy with a party just when Lenny has invited her to an art opening on the Bahamas. At the party, Cathy's brother begins a fling with Cathy's eccentric college friend Rebecca. Meanwhile, picks up Marlene who is wandering around in the backyard.

Directors: Tricia Brock
Writer: Darlene Hunt
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Divine Intervention
star
7.36
833 votes

#9 - Divine Intervention

Season 1 - Episode 10 - Aired 10/25/2010

Cathy’s unexpected visit to Andrea’s home yields many surprises. Later, Cathy seeks spiritual advice at church and while helping around the house. Rebecca calls it quits with Sean in order to reconcile her friendship with Cathy. Adam apologizes to Andrea. Paul sleeps with Tina. Cathy reveals to Paul she has cancer.

Directors: Michael Lehmann
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Taking Lumps
star
7.35
832 votes

#10 - Taking Lumps

Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 9/27/2010

Cathy needs a lump on her butt removed and someone to pick her up after surgery. She asks Marlene, who becomes disoriented - so Lenny picks up Cathy instead. Sean moves into Cathy's backyard because he got beat up on the streets. Paul and Adam win the local bathtub races. The event brings Cathy and Paul back together, but at the point of reconciliation, Paul confesses to an indiscretion with Tina and Cathy rejects the reunion. Meanwhile, Andrea breaks into the school and destroys the mural Lenny painted.

Directors: Alan Poul
Writer: Toni Kalem
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
There's No C in Team
star
7.35
786 votes

#11 - There's No C in Team

Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 8/30/2010

When Cathy's attempt to connect to the people closest to her fails, she signs up for a well-meaning but overbearing cancer support group. Adam rebuffs Cathy's attempts to connect with him, so she decides to put together a dinner party with Andrea, Sean and Daphne. Meanwhile, Paul tries to win back his wife's love with an elaborately romantic gesture. Marlene discovers Cathy's cancer secret in a most unusual way.

Directors: Michael Engler
Writer: Jenny Bicks
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
The Ecstasy and the Agony
star
7.33
750 votes

#12 - The Ecstasy and the Agony

Season 1 - Episode 9 - Aired 10/18/2010

Dr. Todd tells Cathy that she’s been rejected from the clinical trial. Sean sets up Marlene on a date. At a party, Adam gets into a fight with Andrea. Cathy and Lenny take ecstasy together. Paul catches Cathy and Lenny having sex. Paul gets too drunk at the dinner to celebrate his promotion, forcing Adam to drive home. Paul tells Cathy he wants a divorce.

Directors: Tricia Brock
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV
Two For The Road
star
7.21
725 votes

#13 - Two For The Road

Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired 10/4/2010

Cathy and Sean hit the open road to visit their dad. During the trip, Cathy tells Sean she has cancer. Sean falls apart at the news, so Cathy pretends it was a big joke. Adam gets drunk while under the supervision of Paul. Marlene finds Adam on the front lawn puking. Marlene will keep it a secret, but Adam is in further servitude to her.

Directors: Alan Poul
Watch Now:AmazonApple TV