Ep 8. Happy Birthday, Cancer

The Big C is a dark comedy-drama television series that premiered on Showtime in 2010. The show follows the life of a high school teacher named Cathy Jamison, who is diagnosed with terminal melanoma. The show explores how Cathy copes with her illness and how it affects her relationships with her family and friends.

In the eighth episode of season one, titled "Happy Birthday, Cancer," Cathy celebrates turning 42 while struggling with the idea of having cancer looming over her life. She decides to throw herself a completely untraditional birthday party with a group of strangers whom she hires to dance around her house, much to her husband Paul's dismay.

Meanwhile, Cathy's brother Sean visits her and helps her tick off items on her bucket list, including breaking into someone's house and going to a strip club. Sean's reckless behavior and attitude make Cathy question their relationship and the values he holds dear.

As the party gets underway, things spiral out of control and Cathy finds herself in the middle of a confrontation with her best friend and neighbor, Marlene. Marlene has been harboring a secret about her own cancer diagnosis and Cathy's lack of support for her, which Cath fully admits to be true.

Throughout the episode, Cathy is forced to confront the realities of her own mortality and what that means for her relationships with the people in her life. She has always been a person who tries to avoid conflict, but this episode sees her standing up for herself and confronting those around her who don't understand what she's going through.

The episode ends with Cathy and Paul enjoying a quiet moment together, reflecting on the day's events and what they mean for Cathy's future. Although the episode is filled with drama and tension, it ultimately leaves the viewer with a sense of hope and appreciation for the small moments in life.

Overall, "Happy Birthday, Cancer" is a poignant and emotional episode that showcases the strength and resilience of a woman facing a life-changing diagnosis. It deals with difficult themes and emotions in a sensitive yet honest way, providing a powerful portrayal of the impact that cancer can have on not just patients, but their loved ones as well.