'The Big C' - 'Summertime' Recap

(Season 1, Episode 2) Showtime is no stranger to T&A -- this is cable, after all -- but has nudity ever been so tasteful on a subscription channel? This week's 'The Big C' focused primarily on body image (as well as obnoxious teenagers), and how great was it to see Laura Linney so comfortable in her own skin?

Let's face it, at one time or another, we've probably all felt like practice dummies (or worse, cadavers) under a doctor's hands, and a disease like cancer, that ravages a body from the inside out, is sure to cause no end of self-loathing. Who doesn't wish that they could be as bold as Cathy in whipping out the goodies for hunky Dr. Todd? Let alone wishing for such an appreciative response ...

Despite her "awesome rack" and the boyish admiration of a licensed medical professional, it's obvious that Cathy is feeling self-conscious about her appearance and the effect her disease will have on it -- from the scar on her back to the wrinkles she'll never be old enough to have. As much as she obviously fears the loss of her vitality and youth, it seems that Cathy's equally conscious of the time she'll miss, no longer able to foresee a future where she can grow old and spend limitless time with her son.

Not that I'd be too eager to spend time with a kid as obnoxious as Adam; he squeals far more than should be acceptable for a lad of his age. I did love Cathy picking up his clothes from the bedroom floor and proceeding to burn them with the couch -- I have a sneaking suspicion that a similar urge may have struck many mothers before, my own included.

As an only child and unapologetic momma's girl, I can't say I identified much with Adam's staunch determination to get as far away from Cathy as possible, but given her erratic behavior and the cringeworthy suggestion of a mother-son paintball game (not to mention the mortal sin of clothes burning!), I almost can't blame him for trying to escape to soccer camp. We all know Cathy's secret, but to everyone around her, she really does just look like she's having a mental breakdown.


I hope that the push and pull of their relationship starts to morph into more grudging fondness on Adam's side before Cathy reveals her condition to him, otherwise I'm going to find his temper tantrums way too tedious. (Kudos to Andrea for shooting him with the paintball gun -- that was a fabulous moment.)

Likewise, husband Paul is still an obnoxious ass, though at least he admits that he's equally as baffled as we are that Cathy married him when she's a 10 and he's a 4. Unfortunately, his idea of couples therapy is someone who will sit and listen to him whine as Cathy is disinclined to do, so I'm guessing it's not going to be the marriage fixer-upper that he suspects it will be. He could definitely use that gym membership, though.

Cathy's brother Sean continues to live at the other end of the spectrum from his sister, completely unselfconscious about his body to the point where he's stripping in parking lots and admitting to strangers that he eats garbage. His playful relationship with Cathy is both hilarious and a little terrifying, but he's still my favorite, despite the incest fake-out.

Next week, someone might just find out about Cathy's condition -- any guesses?

What did you think of this week's episode; are you still hooked? Share your thoughts and predictions below!

[Follow Laura on Twitter @LauinLA.]