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The Best Episodes of The Big C

Every episode of The Big C ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of The Big C!

Binge this in 20h 11m•Peaking at 9.2/10

A suburban mother faces her cancer diagnosis while trying to find humor and happiness as well.

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    The Big C Season 4 Episode 4 - The Finale
    9.2/10(434 votes)

    #1 - The Finale

    S4:E4

    Adam surprises everyone when he fulfils one of Cathy's wishes. Cathy's estranged Dad visits her. Andrea gets the opportunity of a lifetime. Sean has mixed feelings about his impending kidney surgery.

    Director:Michael Engler
    Writers:Jenny Bicks, Darlene Hunt

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  2. The Big C Season 1 Episode 13 - Taking the Plunge
    9.1/10(488 votes)

    #2 - Taking the Plunge

    S1:E13

    Rebecca reveals a secret to Sean that reconnects them. Dr. Todd tells Paul and Cathy that the bee therapy did not work. Cathy reconsiders her options. Adam finally shows his softer side in an unexpected way.

    Director:Michael Engler
    Writer:Darlene Hunt

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  3. The Big C Season 2 Episode 13 - Crossing the Line
    8.8/10(344 votes)

    #3 - Crossing the Line

    S2:E13

    Cathy is inspired by Lee's passing to ring in the New Year in an unexpected way; burdened by financial issues, Paul tries a new tactic with the insurance agency; Adam makes a surprising connection with Dr. Todd.

    Directors:Craig Zisk, Michael Engler
    Writer:Darlene Hunt

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  4. The Big C Season 4 Episode 3 - Quality of Death
    8.7/10(276 votes)

    #4 - Quality of Death

    S4:E3

    Dr. Sherman pays a visit to Cathy, who has checked herself into a hospice and is experiencing problems with her new roommate. Adam confronts Paul about his lack of parental guidance. Andrea seeks inspiration from Cathy.

    Director:Richard Heus
    Writer:Jenny Bicks

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  5. The Big C Season 2 Episode 12 - The Darkest Day
    8.6/10(289 votes)

    #5 - The Darkest Day

    S2:E12

    As Cathy prepares for her trip to Italy, she receives an amicable call from Lee. Elsewhere, Paul uncovers a secret about Myk while Adam discovers one about Poppy.

    Director:Craig Zisk
    Writer:Jenny Bicks

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  6. The Big C Season 4 Episode 1 - Quality of Life
    8.5/10(310 votes)

    #6 - Quality of Life

    S4:E1

    Cathy plans Adam's sixteenth birthday party. Andrea struggles settling in with her new room-mate at fashion school. Paul brings in a new assistant.

    Director:Michael Engler
    Writer:Darlene Hunt

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of The Big C

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  7. The Big C Season 4 Episode 2 - You Can't Take It with You
    8.4/10(278 votes)

    #7 - You Can't Take It with You

    S4:E2

    Sean feels inspired to donate to charity. Cathy upsets Paul when she signs him up to an online dating service. Andrea struggles to impress her tutor, Isaac Mizrahi.

    Director:Jann Turner
    Writers:Cara DiPaolo, Melanie Marnich

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  8. The Big C Season 1 Episode 12 - Everything That Rises
    8.3/10(338 votes)

    #8 - Everything That Rises

    S1:E12

    Dr. Todd and Cathy go to see the Bee Man to seek non-traditional treatment for her cancer. Paul is overly supportive of Cathy around the house. Sean gives Adam relationship advice about Mia.

    Director:Michael Engler
    Writer:Jenny Bicks

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  9. The Big C Season 2 Episode 6 - The Little c
    8.3/10(268 votes)

    #9 - The Little c

    S2:E6

    Adam's shocking indiscretion threatens Cathy's new job as a swim coach; sparks fly between Andrea and Myk, a Ukrainian coworker that Paul is mentoring; Sean seeks advice on taking the "next step" with Rebecca.

    Director:Jennifer Getzinger
    Writer:Hilly Hicks Jr.

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  10. The Big C Season 2 Episode 8 - The Last Thanksgiving
    8.1/10(264 votes)

    #10 - The Last Thanksgiving

    S2:E8

    Cathy invites friends and family to a Thanksgiving dinner, but a long-hidden secret she brings to light causes trouble.

    Director:Michael Engler
    Writer:Darlene Hunt

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  11. The Big C Season 2 Episode 9 - A Little Death
    8.1/10(262 votes)

    #11 - A Little Death

    S2:E9

    Rebecca deals with the grief over her miscarriage in an unexpected way which leads Cathy to reconnect with old friends; Andrea's relationship with Myk heats up; Adam is taken by surprise when he finally meets the girl he's been chatting with in an online cancer support group.

    Directors:Ryan Fleck, Anna Boden
    Writer:Jenny Bicks

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  12. The Big C Season 1 Episode 7 - Two for the Road
    8.0/10(337 votes)

    #12 - Two for the Road

    S1:E7

    Cathy and Sean hit the open road to visit their dad. During the trip, Cathy tells Sean she has cancer. Sean falls apart at the news, so Cathy pretends it was a big joke. Adam gets drunk while under the supervision of Paul. Marlene finds Adam on the front lawn puking. Marlene will keep it a secret, but Adam is in further servitude to her.

    Director:Alan Poul
    Writer:Hilly Hicks Jr.

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  13. The Big C Season 1 Episode 8 - Happy Birthday, Cancer
    7.9/10(325 votes)

    #13 - Happy Birthday, Cancer

    S1:E8

    For her birthday, Paul surprises Cathy with a party just when Lenny has invited her to an art opening on the Bahamas. At the party, Cathy's brother begins a fling with Cathy's eccentric college friend Rebecca. Meanwhile, picks up Marlene who is wandering around in the backyard.

    Director:Tricia Brock
    Writer:Darlene Hunt

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  14. The Big C Season 1 Episode 11 - New Beginnings
    7.9/10(300 votes)

    #14 - New Beginnings

    S1:E11

    Paul seeks support from people at his work place, but gets more than he bargained for. Sean pulls away from Rebecca when it appears she's getting too serious. Cathy, Marlene and Rebecca have a girl's lunch at a strip joint -- which unexpectedly influences Cathy's thoughts about her cancer. Adam meets a girl, Mia, at the bus stop.

    Director:Michael Lehmann
    Writer:Cara DiPaolo

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  15. The Big C Season 2 Episode 7 - Goldilocks and the Bears
    7.9/10(265 votes)

    #15 - Goldilocks and the Bears

    S2:E7

    Lee takes Cathy to a Tibetan doctor to deal with her high blood pressure. Feeling jealousy of Lee, Paul takes Cathy and Lee out for an evening, while Adam interfere with Andrea's date.

    Director:Michael Engler
    Writer:Cusi Cram

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  16. The Big C Season 2 Episode 10 - How Do You Feel?
    7.9/10(250 votes)

    #16 - How Do You Feel?

    S2:E10

    Cathy helps Lee check a few items off his "bucket list;" Poppy takes Adam to her high school reunion; a distraught Sean takes issue with his new neighbors.

    Directors:Ryan Fleck, Anna Boden
    Writer:Mark Kunerth

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  17. The Big C Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot
    7.8/10(523 votes)

    #17 - Pilot

    S1:E1

    After being diagnosed with melanoma, Cathy decides to build a pool in her backyard, much to the chagrin of her older curmudgeonly neighbor, Marlene. Cathy's son, Adam, plays pranks on her while her husband Paul tries to get back in her good graces. Cathy also tries to reconnect with her willfully homeless brother Sean, and devises a weight-loss plan for Andrea, one of her summer school students.

    Director:Bill Condon
    Writer:Darlene Hunt

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  18. The Big C Season 1 Episode 2 - Summer Time
    7.8/10(390 votes)

    #18 - Summer Time

    S1:E2

    Cathy learns from Dr. Todd just how little time she has left, and for the first time in her life, starts to appreciate her body. Paul tries to make sense of his wife's request to live apart for the summer by signing up for couples therapy. Adam, desperate to get away from his "crazy" mom, attempts to sneak off to soccer camp without her knowing.

    Director:Michael Engler
    Writer:Darlene Hunt

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  19. The Big C Season 1 Episode 10 - Divine Intervention
    7.8/10(299 votes)

    #19 - Divine Intervention

    S1:E10

    Cathy's unexpected visit to Andrea's home yields many surprises. Later, Cathy seeks spiritual advice at church and while helping around the house. Rebecca calls it quits with Sean in order to reconcile her friendship with Cathy. Adam apologizes to Andrea. Paul sleeps with Tina. Cathy reveals to Paul she has cancer.

    Director:Michael Lehmann
    Writer:Mark Kunerth

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  20. The Big C Season 3 Episode 8 - Killjoy
    7.8/10(236 votes)

    #20 - Killjoy

    S3:E8

    Cathy pays back Maxine and Dave, and confronts Joy about Paul; Sean discovers the pros and cons of his relationship with Tim and Giselle; Paul learns something new about Cathy.

    Director:Jann Turner
    Writer:Mark Kunerth

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  21. The Big C Season 1 Episode 3 - There's No C in Team
    7.7/10(380 votes)

    #21 - There's No C in Team

    S1:E3

    When Cathy's attempt to connect to the people closest to her fails, she signs up for a well-meaning but overbearing cancer support group. Adam rebuffs Cathy's attempts to connect with him, so she decides to put together a dinner party with Andrea, Sean and Daphne. Meanwhile, Paul tries to win back his wife's love with an elaborately romantic gesture. Marlene discovers Cathy's cancer secret in a most unusual way.

    Director:Michael Engler
    Writer:Jenny Bicks

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  22. The Big C Season 1 Episode 5 - Blue-Eyed Iris
    7.7/10(350 votes)

    #22 - Blue-Eyed Iris

    S1:E5

    Cathy meets someone new to feel sexy again. Meanwhile, Cathy's eccentric brother Sean tries to keep his building and Adam is caught while watching pornography.

    Director:Craig Zisk
    Writer:Cara DiPaolo

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  23. The Big C Season 1 Episode 9 - The Ecstasy and the Agony
    7.7/10(311 votes)

    #23 - The Ecstasy and the Agony

    S1:E9

    Dr. Todd tells Cathy that she's been rejected from the clinical trial. Sean sets up Marlene on a date. At a party, Adam gets into a fight with Andrea. Cathy and Lenny take ecstasy together. Paul catches Cathy and Lenny having sex. Paul gets too drunk at the dinner to celebrate his promotion, forcing Adam to drive home. Paul tells Cathy he wants a divorce.

    Director:Tricia Brock
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. The Big C Season 2 Episode 4 - Boo!
    7.7/10(266 votes)

    #24 - Boo!

    S2:E4

    Cathy is intrigued by Lee, a fellow cancer patient she meets on the first day of her clinical trial; Adam's downward spiral continues with a fight at school and refusal to take responsibility for his actions with Emily; Sean is worried that his new house is haunted.

    Director:Miguel Arteta
    Writer:Cara DiPaolo

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  25. The Big C Season 2 Episode 5 - Cats and Dogs
    7.7/10(252 votes)

    #25 - Cats and Dogs

    S2:E5

    Due to Paul's layoff, Cathy starts to pawn her jewelry and meets Lee there as well. Adam gets into a situation that he may need help with to get out of. Sean is kicked out of a mother's group when he tests out his homemade sling at the park

    Director:Jennifer Getzinger
    Writer:Melanie Marnich

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Best Episodes Summary

"The Finale" is the best rated episode of "The Big C". It scored 9.2/10 based on 434 votes. Directed by Michael Engler and written by Jenny Bicks, Darlene Hunt, it aired on 5/20/2013. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "Taking the Plunge".