Ep 5. Blue-Eyed Iris

In The Big C season 1 episode 5, titled "Blue-Eyed Iris," we follow the protagonist, Cathy Jamison, as she continues to grapple with her diagnosis of terminal cancer. The episode begins with Cathy attending a support group meeting, where she meets a new member named Lee who is suffering from pancreatic cancer. Despite Cathy's initial reservation towards Lee, the two quickly bond over their shared experiences of living with cancer.

Meanwhile, Cathy's husband, Paul, is struggling to deal with his wife's diagnosis and is preoccupied with finding a job. He lands an interview at a high-end consulting firm but is disheartened to learn that the company is only interested in his connections with the wealthy clients he previously worked with, rather than his qualifications. This puts a strain on their marriage as Paul feels emasculated by his inability to provide for his family.

At the same time, Cathy's teenage son, Adam, is dealing with his own set of problems. In an effort to appear more mature, he has started smoking and experimenting with alcohol. Cathy is worried about her son's behavior and enlists the help of her brother, Sean, to talk to him. Sean, who has always been the more fun and irresponsible sibling, tries to connect with Adam over a night of partying. However, things quickly spiral out of control, and Sean ends up getting into a fight with a bouncer at a club.

The theme of family ties is also explored in this episode through a subplot involving Cathy's estranged father, who she has not seen in over four years. When he unexpectedly shows up at her doorstep, Cathy must confront her feelings of anger and resentment towards him for abandoning their family when she was a child. With Lee's encouragement, Cathy decides to have a conversation with her father, leading to an emotionally charged reconciliation.

The episode concludes on a hopeful note as Cathy, Paul, and Adam attend a Blue-Eyed Iris flower show, where they are touched by the beauty and fragility of life. It serves as a reminder for Cathy to cherish the moments she has left and to make the most of the time she has with her loved ones.

Overall, "Blue-Eyed Iris" is a poignant episode that delves into the relationships between family members and the struggles of coping with a terminal illness. It balances moments of heartbreak with moments of levity, making for a well-rounded and emotional viewing experience.