The Big C

In the wake of Marlene's (Phyllis Somerville) death, Cathy (Laura Linney) is plagued by her late neighbor's ghost as she learns that her latest chemotherapy regimen isn't working. And as Cathy looks for a second opinion, the news of his sister's illness launches Sean (John B. Hickey) into a psychotic episode.

As Cathy (Laura Linney) is uncomfortable with the sympathy she receives upon returning to work, she uses her appointment with Dr. Sherman (guest star Alan Alda) to press for a spot in a new clinical trial. Meanwhile, as Sean (John B. Hickey) remains upset over being kept in the dark about his sister's cancer, Rebecca's (Cynthia Nixon) ultrasound prompts her to ask Cathy to throw her a baby shower right away.

Paul (Oliver Platt) finds himself in an awkward situation when Cathy (Laura Linney) loses all interest in sex and then offers Andrea (Gabourey Sidibe) a place to stay until graduation. Meanwhile, as Adam (Gabriel Basso) deals with his own emerging sexuality, Rebecca (Cynthia Nixon) struggles with Sean's (John B. Hickey) suddenly awakened libido.

With her clinical trial about to get underway, Cathy (Laura Linney) is beset by one problem after another. And as he prepares for Halloween, Sean (John B. Hickey) worries that his house is being haunted by its late owner, Marlene.

As she finds herself getting closer to a fellow clinical trial patient (guest star Hugh Dancy), Cathy (Laura Linney) worries about Paul's (Oliver Platt) commitment to finding a new job. Meanwhile, when Adam (Gabriel Basso) gets in over his head in an effort to ease his sexual frustration, he turns to his uncle Sean (John B. Hickey) for help.

As she grows closer to a fellow clinical trial patient, Cathy (Laura Linney) shakes up her life by becoming her high school's swimming coach. And while Paul (Oliver Platt) coaches an immigrant co-worker on how to get a promotion at work, Adam's (Gabriel Basso) encounter with a prostitute causes problems for the whole family.