I was a bit worried about watching this because I thought it was going to be depressing and a constant downer, given it's premise, but it turned out to be a really good show.Not to say it isn't depressing, there are most definitely moments, but overall it's more funny or drama filled.Towards the end of the season, Cathy's (Laura Linney) selfishness starts to get really annoying as it starts to dramatically impact the people around her but then changes a couple of episodes before the finale, which has some amazing scenes!It has a really good cast with heaps of guest stars (including Cynthia Nixon, Idris Elba and Liam Neeson just to name a few), has a good story to it and feels real, like it could be a real life look into a persons life and their struggles with cancer, instead of being some showy TV series.Will definitely be watching the next season. Would most definitely recommend.

The Big C has it's moments when you can just let go and laugh but the majority of the time it revels in its own sadness. It would be difficult for a show that is based on this subject matter to not be somewhat depressing but overall there are moments of light. Although it can be quite dark that does not mean that it's not an entertaining show. It's very insightful and seems quite realistic. I know if I found out I had cancer I might behave this way.I personally think this show only needed 2-3 seasons max as it got a little slow towards the end but it was still pretty good. But honestly give it a chance as it is quite inspiring. Other peoples sadness and misfortune has a way of making you reflect on your own life and realise what you truly have.

This series is not for the weak at heart. Being a loyal Linney or Platt fan is crucial because aside from some outrageous moments here and there this show is only addictive for one reason which is that the two lead actors are consistently unbelievably amazing. "Strong" doesn't do any justice - but it's their strong performances that carry the limping plot, ailing script (too many tongue in cheek can you believe we just said that jokes), and truly cancerous performances of the rest of the cast ( aside from inspired performances by Phyllis Somerville and Cynthia NIxon whose characters get inexplicably written off the show).The uptight sister/free spirited brother storyline feels like a Weeds ripoff. It's less fun to watch in this series because A: We're supposed to be rooting for Cathy and it's hard to enjoy watching someone who's supposedly fighting cancer then go on to put up with such toxic abuse, and then allow herself to indulge in such wanton co-dependence. B: It's just sad seeing this kind of relationship and behavior taking place among older characters. Side note on the brother. The character is that of a straight dude, a womanizer, and an all around guy's guy (albeit one with serious mental issues). However the actor who plays this man-child that's obsessed with having sex with women (only super thin models btw) is a gnomish lispy elf (gays would call him an Otter). The character and the actor never come together as the same person which gives a character already dealing with bi- polar disorder just too much baggage to invest in. Watching a an obviously gay guy pretend to be straight is mostly just embarrassing until season 3 in which he plays a straight guy pretending to be gay on a phone sex line for several episode at which point all creepy hell breaks loose and he becomes completely unwatchable. I commend Linney for her obsessively consistent support of the gay community (and all things minority). I have a theory that unfortunately she may have had a misguided hand in the miscasting of the truly very talented John Benjamin Hickey as the brother. Pretty much the rest of the cast is god awful. The writers while coming up with a few enjoyable "can you believe they just said that", and "Oh yes we DID just go there." moments in their obsessed attempt to show "real life" may accidentally be creating a truer picture of real life than their talents demand. They lack any ability to write believable minors, and are unable to actually give any of the characters any of the flawed backbones that make real people admirable/despicable. However in real life we are constantly bombarded with too much unnecessary dialogue, most of the awesome people die or leave, and we often find ourselves in situations that have nothing to do with getting the plot of our lives moving along whatsoever. All in all Laura Linney is sublime, and I can't get enough of her and Oliver Platt. This show has a lot of flaws, but as long as those two remain the main story I'll keep watching.

We just got Netflex a couple weeks ago & I've discovered a whole new world of TV shows that I've never heard of but love. I'm not sure we get them in Canada.To Kla46, who thought the show was unrealistic & that someone could not pull off keeping such a secret. I have an old friend, who I knew in elementary school, that kept her cancer a secret from everyone til the week she landed in the hospital & died shortly after. She kept it secret for over 2 years!!! She had a son, husband, 2 siblings, father & extended family who never knew til that last week.I love the show because the character is doing things that are so different from how I think I would act. Cathy is so funny, annoying but endearing. Laura Linney is doing an amazing acting job.My favourite character is her grumpy neighbour, Marlene. I love her straight forward talk. When she slapped some sense into Cathy, she became my hero. I have 3 more episodes to watch but I had to come on here to find out more about the actors. Gotta go watch the rest.