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The Worst Episodes of The Big C

Every episode of The Big C ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of The Big C!

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

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Worst Episode
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    The Big C Season 3 Episode 4 - Family Matters
    7.2/10(235 votes)

    #1 - Family Matters

    S3:E4

    Cathy focuses on her new personal pursuit while Adam and Andrea each cope with her new direction in their own ways; Sean meets Willy (guest star Victor Garber), the former owner of his sex line business.

    Director:Adam Bernstein
    Writer:Cara DiPaolo

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  2. The Big C Season 3 Episode 6 - Life Rights
    7.2/10(223 votes)

    #2 - Life Rights

    S3:E6

    Cathy and Paul receive an extraordinary offer from Joy's friend.

    Director:Jennifer Getzinger
    Writer:Hilly Hicks Jr.

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  3. The Big C Season 3 Episode 5 - Face Off
    7.3/10(242 votes)

    #3 - Face Off

    S3:E5

    Cathy goes to great lengths to impress the parents of the baby she hopes to adopt; Joy encourages Paul to share his near-death experience with a live audience, while Jessie encourages Adam to deepen his relationship with God.

    Director:Jennifer Getzinger
    Writer:Melanie Marnich

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  4. The Big C Season 3 Episode 9 - Vaya Con Dios
    7.3/10(226 votes)

    #4 - Vaya Con Dios

    S3:E9

    Cathy tries scuba diving in an effort to maximize the fun on her Puerto Rico vacation; Paul, reeling from the news about Joy, tries to keep it together during a speaking engagement. Later, Sean decides to take a respite from dating after undergoing yet another breakup.

    Director:Michael Engler
    Writer:Jenny Bicks

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  5. The Big C Season 1 Episode 6 - Taking Lumps
    7.4/10(325 votes)

    #5 - Taking Lumps

    S1:E6

    Cathy needs a lump on her butt removed and someone to pick her up after surgery. She asks Marlene, who becomes disoriented - so Lenny picks up Cathy instead. Sean moves into Cathy's backyard because he got beat up on the streets. Paul and Adam win the local bathtub races. The event brings Cathy and Paul back together, but at the point of reconciliation, Paul confesses to an indiscretion with Tina and Cathy rejects the reunion. Meanwhile, Andrea breaks into the school and destroys the mural Lenny painted.

    Director:Alan Poul
    Writer:Toni Kalem

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  6. The Big C Season 3 Episode 2 - What's Your Story?
    7.4/10(244 votes)

    #6 - What's Your Story?

    S3:E2

    Sean discovers a new and unusual way to generate income; Andrea tries to start an African-American interest club; Adam becomes increasingly devoted to his faith and joins a Bible study group at school.

    Director:Michael Engler
    Writer:Mark Kunerth

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  7. The Big C Season 3 Episode 7 - How Bazaar
    7.4/10(224 votes)

    #7 - How Bazaar

    S3:E7

    Cathy and Adam go a little too far with their generosity; Joy encourages Paul to pursue an endorsement deal; Sean brings his new friends Tim and Giselle to a charity auction.

    Director:Jann Turner
    Writer:Cusi Cram

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  8. The Big C Season 2 Episode 3 - Sexual Healing
    7.5/10(262 votes)

    #8 - Sexual Healing

    S2:E3

    Cathy and Paul experience frustrations in bed and with the help of their new house mate Andrea, realize they need to set some patient-caregiver limits; Rebecca is put off by the newly medicated Sean; unsatisfied by his physical relationship with Mia, Adam turns to another girl, Emily.

    Director:Miguel Arteta
    Writer:Mark Kunerth

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  9. The Big C Season 3 Episode 1 - Thin Ice
    7.5/10(292 votes)

    #9 - Thin Ice

    S3:E1

    Cathy receives medical news that gives her reason to hope for recovery; Sean supports Andrea's newfound appreciation for her African heritage; Adam turns to prayer to help his ailing mother.

    Director:Michael Engler
    Writer:Darlene Hunt

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  10. The Big C Season 3 Episode 10 - Fly Away
    7.5/10(265 votes)

    #10 - Fly Away

    S3:E10

    Cathy finds herself spending time with a stranger; Paul is flattered by the attentions of an American tourist; Sean is guilt-ridden when his sister doesn't return to the dive boat.

    Director:Michael Engler
    Writer:Darlene Hunt

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  11. The Big C Season 1 Episode 4 - Playing the Cancer Car
    7.6/10(356 votes)

    #11 - Playing the Cancer Car

    S1:E4

    Cathy, eager to try on a carefree, impulsive persona, drains her 401K, buys a convertible and imagines what life would be like if she were Dr. Todd's girlfriend. At his therapist's urging, Paul reignites his passion for rugby. Sean goes to great lengths to knock out a tooth without the help of a dentist. Meanwhile, Adam gets caught stealing and is surprised when Marlene comes to his rescue, until he finds out there are strings attached.

    Director:Craig Zisk
    Writer:Mark Kunerth

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  12. The Big C Season 2 Episode 1 - Losing Patients
    7.6/10(277 votes)

    #12 - Losing Patients

    S2:E1

    Cathy seeks a second opinion, causing a strain on her relationship with Dr. Todd; Sean learns about his sister's cancer while adjusting to life with a pregnant Rebecca; Adam sees a therapist against his will.

    Director:Michael Engler
    Writer:Darlene Hunt

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  13. The Big C Season 2 Episode 2 - Musical Chairs
    7.6/10(269 votes)

    #13 - Musical Chairs

    S2:E2

    Frustrated at not being able to land a spot in the clinical trial of a new treatment by a respected oncologist, Cathy resorts to supernatural aid; Sean becomes assertive around the house; Adam capitalizes on his classmates' sympathy about his mother's illness.

    Director:Michael Engler
    Writer:Jenny Bicks

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  14. The Big C Season 3 Episode 3 - Bundle of Joy
    7.6/10(245 votes)

    #14 - Bundle of Joy

    S3:E3

    Cathy visits a joyologist while Sean and Andrea go out for Valentine's Day.

    Director:Adam Bernstein
    Writer:Jenny Bicks

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

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

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

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

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

    #19 - 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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  20. The Big C Season 2 Episode 11 - Fight or Flight
    7.7/10(244 votes)

    #20 - Fight or Flight

    S2:E11

    After an argument with Lee and a revealing dinner with Dr. Sherman, Cathy (Laura Linney) comes to a major crossroads. Elsewhere, Adam searches for his AWOL uncle and an impulsive Andrea makes a decision about Myk.

    Director:Craig Zisk
    Writers:Cara DiPaolo, Melanie Marnich

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

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

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

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

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

    #25 - 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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Worst Episodes Summary

"Family Matters" is the worst rated episode of "The Big C". It scored 7.2/10 based on 235 votes. Directed by Adam Bernstein and written by Cara DiPaolo, it aired on 4/29/2012. This episode scored 0.0 points lower than the second lowest rated, "Life Rights".