Review: The Big C, S3, Ep. 308 – “Killjoy”
Air Date: Sunday, June 3, 2012, 9:30PM E/P on Showtime
Rating:
“How ya feeling? A little exposed? Stupid? Welcome to the club.” ~ Cathy
“Killjoy” refers to a couple of things – one more literally than the other. Cathy’s (Laura Linney) dark edge returns (thanks, writers!) when she gets some much-needed revenge on Dave (Hamish Linklater) and Maxine (Mamie Gummer). I still can’t believe they deceived Cathy so carelessly but there are obviously some deranged and desperate people in the world willing to do whatever they can to make a quick buck.
Cathy: “Why? Why would you do this? Why would you promise a baby to someone that didn’t exist? (silence) That is not a rhetorical question!”
Dave: “Hey look, times are tough, ok? We were desperate.”
Maxine: “We…we were just doing what we had to do to get by.”
Cathy: “Doing what you had to do to get by! How ‘bout a paper route? How ‘bout being a barista at a coffee shop?”
Paul (Oliver Platt, R) gets a little hands-on with Joy (Susan Sarandon)
Paul (Oliver Platt) seems more concerned about the loss of money than the news of Dave and Maxine’s chicanery. I have to agree with Paul on one point – it would be nice if Cathy would be more supportive of his new career. However, citing Cathy’s recent behavior—like getting drunk in the middle of day, and getting tattoos— it seems like these are clear indicators that something is awry. She’s craving attention, which is typical Cathy, but it feels different this time. She’s whispering “wolf” instead of crying out loud. She wants someone to notice her spiraling out of control but doesn’t want to be stopped. It’s weird. And when was the last time anyone mentioned her treatments? It makes Joy’s (Susan Sarandon) biting comment to Cathy seem ominous. But Joy isn’t the innocent party in all this. Her continued advances towards Paul don’t go unnoticed. It’s good to know Andrea (Gabourey Sidibe) is still looking out for Cathy.
Paul discovers more secrets about Cathy when he visits The Naked Turtle and talks with the bartender and a bar patron. I don’t blame Paul for being hurt, but the text he sends Joy about Puerto Rico seems a bit childish. Two wrongs won’t make it right. Instead of talking to Cathy about this, Paul retreats into his ‘I’m gonna get you back’ mentality. My question – how are these two still married? Are they even in love with each other anymore? I honestly can’t tell. And the fact that Adam (Gabriel Basso) has essentially resigned his position as their son and is living with his Uncle Sean (John Hickey) speaks volumes about the family’s current status. It’s beyond dysfunctional – it’s just plain fucked.
Darkly humorous moments:
After Cathy tells Dave and Maxine she knows their secret, she gives Maxine a good swift kick to the gut! I was shocked but also excited that Cathy chooses to unleash her anger rather than hold it back. I must thank the writers, the director, and whoever else had a hand in deciding this was the way to go. Dark humor is supposed to be…dark. Brava!
As Cathy wields a loaded gun, she justifies her actions to Dave and Maxine after they try to turn the tables on her about someone actually giving a baby to a woman with cancer: “You do not make me out to be the bad one in this situation! I wanted to believe it was possible that someone could see the love and the care that I could give a child despite my diagnosis! I am the good one in this situation so I say, ‘YAY FOR FUCKING ME!’”
Cathy confronts Joy about her flirting with Paul
After an accident involving Joy, the ghost of Marlene (guest star Phyllis Somerville) steps off a bus and says to Cathy, “Some people miss the bus, some people not so much.”
***
Funny moment/line:
After Sean gets unceremoniously dumped by Tim (Brian d’Arcy James) and Gizelle (Tammy Blanchard), he gives them some friendly advice: “Is that your advice to me, Gizelle? Well here’s my advice to you: in your next relationship, if you’re going to insist on ass-play, cut your goddamn fingernails (looks over to Tim) and you too, buddy.”
***
I really enjoyed “Killjoy.” It brings back the darker edge to the humor like it once had, as well as some juicy backstabbing drama. Joy will do whatever it takes to get her ‘joy’ even if it ruins someone’s life. Paul is becoming more selfish, something I think he picked up from Cathy. Next week, the family travels to Puerto Rico and if you’ve seen the promos, the landscape is beautiful—the family, not so much. And I’m very anxious to find out about the conversation between Cathy and her doctor!
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Photos © 2012 Showtime Networks, a CBS Broadcasting, Inc. company. All rights reserved.
Judy Manning
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