'The Big C' - 'Pilot' Recap

(Season 1, Episode 1) One of the most prominent questions that the producers of Showtime's new comedy, 'The Big C,' had to face during the Television Critics Association press tour was, 'is cancer a laughing matter?' Perhaps tonight's first episode will help to answer that question.

Everyone knows someone who has been affected by cancer in some way -- 'The Big C' may be described as a black comedy, but are we ready to laugh about it? It's certainly hard not to be enamored with the vivacious Laura Linney, an actress who can effortlessly blend poignancy and pathos with moments of laugh-out-loud humor.

Join me after the jump to discuss one of 2010's most controversial, and most addictive, new comedies -- were you laughing?

As TV Squad's Joel Keller pointed out earlier, with a less talented actress, the character of Cathy Jamison could easily come off as unsympathetic as she attempts to hide such a life-altering (and life-ending) diagnosis from her nearest and dearest, but Cathy's struggle, her doubt, her fear, is visible in Linney's eyes throughout every scene. This is a woman in turmoil, and even the laughs can't detract from that.

Some early reviews have criticized the show for Cathy's decision to hide her condition from her family, but -- even (thankfully) having never been forced to deal with such traumatic news -- I firmly believe that everyone deals with disease and trauma in an innately personal way. Who can say whether they would immediately tell their family or choose to hide the news for as long as possible, whether to avoid sympathy or causing their loved ones pain, or simply because they, themselves, are in denial about the diagnosis? Cathy's reaction to her news is no more or less unrealistic than any other reaction to cancer, because it's hers.

And who can blame her for choosing to take the road of least resistance when her husband (Oliver Platt) has the emotional maturity of a teenager, and her teenager (Gabriel Basso) has the emotional maturity of a sociopath? It's a good thing that Cathy's character isn't obnoxious, because Platt's Paul is more than infuriating enough for the two of them. Isn't it every girl's dream to be married to a man who describes onions as "stinky poo poo"?

In fact, Cathy is surrounded by obnoxious people, from her contrary student Andrea (another scene-stealing performance from 'Precious' star Gabourey Sidibe) to her homeless-by-choice brother Sean (John Benjamin Hickey) to her grumpy widowed neighbor Marlene (Phyllis Somerville). Luckily, these characters all seem so quirky and compelling in their own right that I'm eager to watch Cathy deal with them, whether she's being honest or lying.

On a shallow note, I can't be the only one who thinks that all doctors should look like Reid Scott, right?

Hickey's Sean might just be my favorite of all the misfit toys populating Cathy's island; from dramatically staging his own hanging with plastic bags, to causing play fights with his sister in burger joints, the guy is the yin to Cathy's yang, and I feel like his reaction to Cathy's prognosis will be one of the most compelling of the series when the truth comes to light.

Cathy's son Adam is another matter -- it's been a while since I've seen such an irritating on-screen teen; Cathy's payback for his finger-slicing stunt was pretty inspired, but I think he'll be playing the moody adolescent card for a few more episodes yet, and I'm already bored of it. Then again, if Basso is as good at emoting as he is at sulking, seeing how he reacts to Cathy's disease may turn out to be one of the show's defining moments. I'm still scratching my head as to how someone like Paul could end up with someone like Cathy, though -- talk about being out of his league!

Although the first person Cathy confided in was four-legged and not that chatty, it won't be too long before someone else in her life finds out -- who do you think will be the first to know? And more importantly, will you be tuning in for next week's episode?

What do you think of 'The Big C' so far? Is the subject matter too serious, or do you think laughter is the best medicine? Share your thoughts below!

[Follow Laura on Twitter @LauinLA.]