'The Big C' Season 1, Episode 4 Recap (VIDEO)

['The Big C' - 'Playing the Cancer Car']

While the previous three episodes of 'The Big C' have been solid, quirky and occasionally brilliant, episode four was truly a delight to watch -- nothing's quite as much fun as seeing a character being positively gleeful on TV these days, and Laura Linney was shining like a beacon as she frolicked joyfully from one unpredictable situation to the next.

For most people, a cherry red convertible is a sure-fire sign of a mid-life crisis -- which is exactly what Cathy's behavior seems like to the untrained eye -- but for a woman who's not sure she'll even live to see the end of mid-life, it seems like a sound investment.

There was an irrepressible lightness to this week's installment (despite the ever-lurking shadow of Cathy's condition on the horizon -- much like the storm at the end of the episode), from Cathy's playful interactions with her scene-stealing brother, to her role-playing as Dr. Todd's cougar girlfriend.

Cathy and her dreamy doctor have certainly crossed the line from doctor/patient to almost-friends, and seeing the pair banter and improvise their way through an unlikely house showing was excellent comedy, since it seemed as though even Cathy had no idea what she might say next.

Yet even in its most hilarious moments, the show seems to be capable of effortlessly dialing back the absurdity for moments of quiet reflection, as Cathy related to the plight of the poor lobster at the seafood restaurant, minding its own business on the sea bed before getting caught in a trap and served for dinner. Watching her free the creature in the salt-water pool was especially poignant, especially when our tragic heroine jumped in fully clothed to float in the water and imagine that time was standing still.

One thing that always strikes me about Linney's performance is how energetic she is -- at times I almost felt exhausted just from watching her ramble and gesticulate; it makes me wonder if it's a conscious effort on her part to brim with life and exuberance in every scene, when the first couple of episodes showed Cathy as very tense and repressed. As she slowly comes to terms with her condition, perhaps this freewheeling euphoria will continue: It's certainly an improvement over Nagging Cathy.

No discernible changes on obnoxious watch: Both Paul and Adam are still being insufferable, but it seems as if the omnipresent Marlene (Phyllis Somerville) has a plan for whipping Adam back into shape with a little healthy blackmail. It was truly lovely to watch Somerville's face transform with a smile as she fed her newly bought tropical fish -- the expression and lighting made her look about twenty years younger.

But really, does anyone want to see the already-irritating Paul get more irritating by dating a slutty neighbor with a rugby fetish? I understand that they're trying to develop Paul's character (or lack thereof) but every time he's on screen, he's so insufferable that I almost prefer watching Adam whine and sulk.

No sign of Andrea and her pithy one-liners this week, but between Dr. Reid, and Sean's increasingly outlandish quest to rid himself of an infected tooth without relying on a medical professional, she wasn't much missed.

Sadly, this will be the last recap of 'The Big C' we feature here at TV Squad, since it's not garnering much traffic, but keep watching and showing your support with Showtime -- this is a quirky, original show that deserves to go the distance. Thanks for reading!

[Follow Laura on Twitter @LauinLA.]