Wishing on Stars. Retrospective: The Big C – Hereafter – “You Can’t Take It With You”

Season 4, Ep. 2

Air Date: Monday, May 6, 2013, 10PM E/P on Showtime

Rating: ★★★★★

“You’re giving everything away, even me!” – Paul

It’s been two months from where we left off in the premiere episode “Quality of Life,” in which Cathy (Laura Linney) asks her son Adam (Gabriel Basso) if he’s ok with her stopping chemotheraphy.. It’s a tough question to ask anyone let alone your only child. “You Can’t Take It With You” is a bit lighter than “Quality of Life,” the first installment of this limited four-episode final season, but there are still moments that get to you unexpectedly.

Adam may joke about using the scarf to wipe boogers but it means more than that to him…

It’s November and Cathy’s feeling better except for the spring fever she has. Cathy doesn’t want to burden her family with deciding what to do with her clothes when she’s gone so she decides there’s no time like the present to gut her closet. I know what it’s like to have to go through someone’s belongings after they’ve passed away and let me tell you, it’s not easy. I lost my mother to cancer and despite the tumultuous relationship we had, I still loved her. It was difficult for me to put all her things away to donate-which would I keep as mementos and what to give away for donation. There is a moment in this episode when Cathy finds her old Hermès scarf inside Adam’s dresser that truly tugged at my heartstrings.

Throughout the episode, Cathy begins having second thoughts about certain things she’s doing—like donating her wedding dress—so she returns to the consignment shop to retrieve it. It dawns on her as she watches a young woman trying on the gown that she won’t ever wear it again, nor will she be around to watch Adam get married. I think that may be why she wants it back. Plus, she could save the dress for Adam’s future bride. To be a parent and know you won’t be around for your child’s future has to be devastating. I can’t even imagine not being around for my daughter.

Paul is offended that Cathy is trying to set him up on blind dates while she’s still alive.

There is a moment when Cathy, who sets Paul (Oliver Platt) up on a blind date through an online dating site for widows and widowers, sees Paul having a seemingly happy conversation with the woman she set him up with. The look in Cathy’s eyes as she watches her husband speak so jovially with another woman broke my heart a little. If only Cathy could have heard how conflicted Paul is before bringing him his wallet. It really choked me up to hear him discuss his wife, “who’s dying.” Platt comes full circle in this episode. I was upset with him in last week’s “Quality of Life” because he was still going on tour with his “Flip That Switch” campaign. But an obnoxious morning DJ in Detroit opens Paul’s eyes to what is truly important – being with Cathy as she goes through this ordeal. It hits home even more when Paul, who’s been gone for only two days, returns to find Cathy sporting a new limp, courtesy of the tumors that are pressing on the nerves in her brain causing partial paralysis.

Study sessions take on new meaning when Lydia breaks down statistics for increasing optimal orgasms.

Adam continues to struggle with his chemistry class, despite being tutored by the brainy Lydia (Samantha Futerman). She is adorable and studies like a mad woman because she wants to go to Harvard. I was surprised and upset with Adam for asking Lydia to help him cheat. But the real shocker is Lydia agreeing, but with a counteroffer – “Take my virginity.” Whoa! I’m proud of Adam for telling her that her first time should be special and mean something. Of course, that happens after their attempt to pop Lydia’s cherry goes awry. Adam is maturing and puts in the effort to study, which does pay off without cheating. Not wanting to disappoint his ailing mother really motivates Adam this season, in more ways than one. He’s grown so much from the bratty little shit he was in season one. Basso has matured as an actor as well, and does an excellent job of portraying a teenager who suddenly has to grow up in the face of impending tragedy.

Prof. Isaac Mizrahi tells Andrea that she’s lost some of her sparkle from her original portfolio submissions. Ouch.

Andrea (Gabourey Sidibe) is under the tutelage of fashion icon Isaac Mizrahi (himself), a guest professor at her design college; however, he delivers some unfavorable news about her recent submissions, telling her she’s lost her “sparkle.” Andrea is under a lot of stress from worrying about Cathy; so much so, it’s affecting her designs. Isaac suggests she should drop the class. Gasp! But Andrea refuses to give up. I’m proud of her for that. And Isaac decides he’s going to try to help but she doesn’t realize that when he asks to see her after class: “Wow, I haven’t seen someone look so scared since Vera Wang thought she gained two pounds. Relax, ok?”

Sean (John Hickey) surprises me quite a bit during “You Can’t Take It With You.” His suggestion that he and Cathy go watch shooting stars has an ulterior motive. It’s one of the sweetest moments between the two when Sean inadvertently admits he wanted to wish on a shooting star so she wouldn’t be sick anymore. How amazing is that? And that isn’t the only outofcharacter thing Sean does. The biggest surprise is Sean trying to donate his kidney. I know you can give away a ton of things on Craig’s List but a human organ might be pushing it, Sean.

Memorable Lines:

Paul: “You can’t have sex with me and then set me up with another woman; it’s twisted. What kind of wife would do that?”

Cathy: “A very good one.”

***

Cathy’s therapist (guest star Kathy Najimy), after Cathy tells her what she did for Paul: “No, really; I’ve heard it all – you win ‘The Most Generous Fucking Wife of the Year’ award. Congratulations.”

***

Sean gives an emotional speech regarding his mental status and reasons behind wanting to donate his kidney.

Sean to hospital administrator about donating his kidney: “I’m just a guy with a sister, a beautiful, generous, occasionally irritating sister who’s dying, and all I ever wanted to do is save her life but, um, I can’t. That’s not how our story’s gonna end. But I have to believe that there is somebody else out there who I can help, and maybe they have a brother who will get to be with them for a whole, long lifetime because of me.”

***

I love the song, “Among the Leaves” by Sun Kil Moon, at the end of this episode. It becomes more touching and more powerful as it plays with Cathy standing in the kitchen, unable to remember who Paul is. The devastation on his face breaks my heart.

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.