The Big C (2010–2013): Season 2, Episode 2 - Musical Chairs - full transcript
Cathy finds that her experience with the great Dr. Atticus Sherman isn't anything like she thought it would be. In addition to not appreciating his bedside manner, not believing that he pays any attention to her file, or not believing that he sees her anything more than another nameless face in his office, Cathy learns he is conducting a clinical trial, about which she learns from another of his stage 4 patients, an extremely positive woman named Nadine, in which he has no space for her. Meanwhile, Cathy and Sean's relationship is still strained over the fact that she kept her illness a secret from him for so long. As such, he is functioning even less well than normal, which means that Cathy is replacing him in many of Rebecca's "baby partner" functions. Rebecca makes an unusual request of Cathy, and further tells Cathy of a decision that doesn't sit well with her. And Cathy's return to work, where everyone now knows of her illness, places both her and Adam in an uncomfortable position.
Previously on The Big C.
I have cancer, Rebecca!
I will be forever changed.
Promise me
you will not tell Sean.
Clearly, Rebecca told you.
You should have told me.
I think we have to stop here.
We've done two rounds,
and the tumors are unchanged.
I want a second opinion.
Have you heard of
a Dr. Atticus Sherman?
Paul read about
a stage IV woman
who was completely cured
after seeing him.
I got an appointment
with Dr. Sherman!
Great news!
♪ It's so hard ♪
♪ to turn your life over ♪
♪ step out
of your comfort zone ♪
♪ is this some kind of a joke ♪
♪ will someone
wake me up soon ♪
♪ and tell me ♪
♪ this was just a game
we played ♪
♪ called life ♪
Hey! Welcome back!
You look awesome!
Oh, shit.
Hey, Mrs. Jamison.
Welcome back.
- Thank you, Han.
- We're raising money for you.
We heard the treatment
didn't work.
- You don't need to raise m--
- I hope you don't mind.
We used your first name.
We like the alliteration.
Cupcakes...Cathy.
And cancer!
We didn't think about that.
Oops.
On the house.
Seriously, Washington
had wooden false teeth.
He didn't even have to
brush them.
He would just repaint them.
Oh, hi.
Can I help you?
This is my class.
Oh!
Oh...
Oh, my gosh, I'm so sorry.
You must be Cathy.
Well, kids, it looks like
my job here is done.
- Aw!
- That sucks.
She was only here
for three weeks, people.
We'll miss you so much.
You're so sweet!
Facebook me if you want.
She's a sub.
She's just going back
to wherever subs come from.
She's not dying.
Well, uh...
Good luck to you.
And to you.
I hate her too.
So...they take all the mirrors
out of your house or something?
You don't look good.
Thank you!
Finally,
someone telling the truth.
The interleukin
kinda took it out of me.
You could still use
some mascara.
Glad you're back.
Me too.
Want a hug?
Uh...No, thanks.
Hey! How are you?
You okay?
Hey.
You going to lunch?
Why don't you ask me
what you really want
to ask me, okay?
How am I?
You know, am I totally bummed
because my mom has cancer?
Do I want another
fucking cancer cupcake?
Because they're free for me.
I just wanted to know
if you were going to lunch.
Oh, yeah.
Yeah.
Good. I'll save you
a seat, freak.
She had plushy toys
all over my desk.
It's like I never existed!
Come on.
Kids always love the subs.
Oh, God,
all those cancer faces.
It's like I'm starring
in my own Greek tragedy.
Okay. Your last
round of treatment...
Within $100 without going over.
1,252.
So sorry, Cathy Jamison.
Correct answer is...
2,047.33!
That's a lot of cupcakes.
But insurance covers 90%,
so please write a check
for $204.33.
You know, this is why
stage IV people go so fast.
They can't afford
to stick around.
Hey. No more downer talk.
Tomorrow...we are meeting
the renowned
Dr. Atticus Sherman,
and I, for one,
am prepared to be wowed.
You be wowed.
I'll be drunk.
Hey!
Hey!
I'm going to work.
Have a great day.
Sean, honey, are you
just gonna sit in there
all day with no pants on?
Perhaps.
Look...I get that the whole
"my sister has cancer" thing
is a huge bummer--huge.
But you have to start coping
a teeny bit.
- We're gonna have a baby.
- Well, you better hope
that baby
doesn't have a sister...
'Cause sisters lie and die.
They make pills, Sean.
You'll feel better.
I probably even have some
in my bag right now.
No, thank you, nurse Ratched.
How many times
do I have to write stage IV?
It's depressing.
Sorry.
Didn't mean to eavesdrop.
I used to get
so annoyed writing that,
I just started putting
"royally f'ed" each time.
You're in a pretty good mood
for someone who's royally f'ed.
I got some good news for once.
Dr. Sherman
says I'm in great shape.
And I just made it into
this terrific
melanoma clinical trial
he's running.
- Oh, I like the sound of that.
- Yeah, me too.
It's had remarkable results
in Europe.
Ask him about it.
I will.
I hope it's not forward
of me, but...
here's my number.
In case you ever want to chat
or have any questions.
I'm Nadine.
Cathy.
Hi.
This is an angel coin.
It was my good luck charm
but...
I think it's done
its trick for me.
Thank you.
Good luck.
Mrs. Jamison?
How long has it been?
- 27 minutes.
- So rude!
You know,
I like that he's late.
It means that he spends
a lot of time with his patients.
Why do they always
have paintings
of women looking
out of windows?
They waiting for us to jump?
Well, hi, there.
Paul Jamison.
- Husband.
- Atticus Sherman.
Catherine.
Hello.
Cathy.
Patient.
I figured as much.
Although what's going on
there, buddy?
'Cause there's a heart attack
in there with your name on it.
Okay, let's take a look.
Uh-huh.
Okay.
No shortness of breath,
muscle weakness?
- Not yet.
- Okay, that's good.
Take deep breaths.
Glad you came to see me.
I don't have good feelings
about that Doogie Howser
I talked with on the phone.
- Dr. Mauer?
- He sounded like he was 16.
- I know, right?
- Did I make a mistake
doing the interleukin 2
treatment?
No. You went in
for the nuclear blast first.
It's a fine choice.
Just didn't work out for you
so, you know, onward.
I met one of your patients,
Nadine, in the waiting room.
Isn't she a trip?
She's got more energy
than all of us.
She's doing great.
She was telling me about
a clinical trial you're doing?
Yeah. I'm very excited
about the potential with that,
especially with
the late-stage patients.
Fantastic.
So when do we start that?
It's all filled up.
There are no more spots.
Seriously?
Hey, no long faces.
We'll figure something out.
Wait a minute.
So we're...we're done?
Yeah. Let me study your scans,
and I'll be in touch.
- We've been waiting 27 minutes.
- Paul.
Here. Take my card.
Email me with any questions.
Yeah, I do a little
amateur magicianing on the side,
you know, bend the occasional
spoon for the kids.
No chance you can
bend the rules for me
and get me into that trial?
Only spoons.
The Great Shermtini, my ass.
He couldn't put one
extra person into his trial?
- He said I was fat.
- Don't I deserve it
- as much as that other woman?
- You deserve it more
- than that other woman.
- Don't say that.
- It's true!
- Yeah, you're right.
Nadine's what--she's like
20 years older than I am.
She's already had
that extra time.
I want that time!
Plus he said
she was doing great.
- She doesn't need the trial.
- It's not fair.
- It's beyond not fair.
- Oh, I shouldn't say that.
Why not? Why don't you
deserve to be angry about this?
I am!
It is absurdly not fair!
Let's go get a burger!
I want a burger.
- You want a burger?
- I can't.
I've gotta go with Rebecca
to her doctor.
Sean's too depressed to do it.
Aw, honey.
Your life
is so not fair right now.
I know.
You see that?
That's the beginnings
of fingers.
- Wow.
- Look at that.
Please tell me it doesn't
have webbed feet.
- It all looks fine.
- The baby daddy is bipolar,
so this kid could be
a little wacky.
- Rebecca.
- That's hereditary, right?
That's not my specialty.
Oh, wow.
What if the baby has it,
and I catch it through
the umbilical cord?
- That can't happen.
- Can we concentrate
on the positive here?
Be happy.
There's so many other things
not to be happy about.
She has cancer.
- Oh, I'm so sorry.
- Is melanoma hereditary?
- I can't believe I never asked!
- Oh, my God!
All right, enough!
You're having a child.
This is a miracle
on so many levels,
so we...we have to
celebrate this moment!
Let's just enjoy this.
You hear that?
The heartbeat.
Oh, my God!
Is it a girl?
It--it sounds like a girl.
It's a little too early
to be 100% sure,
but based on what I'm seeing
and not seeing,
I would guess it's a girl.
It's a girl.
Ohh!
I'm home!
Hey.
How was school?
This was on my locker.
Oh...
Well...
That's sweet.
No, mom, look at this.
It's not sweet.
It's creepy.
I mean, ever since
school started three weeks ago,
I've been getting more attention
than that albino kid.
Okay. The sparkles
are a little creepy.
But you know...
they care about you
and what you're going through.
You're the one
with the cancer, mom.
Thanks for reminding me.
- Hey, Adam.
- Hey, what's up?
What are you making?
It smells like ass.
Quinoa and cauliflower.
Cruciferous vegetables
are antioxidants.
Ugh! Haven't you been
punished enough?
Apparently not.
So, um...
I was thinking about
what you said earlier
about staying positive.
- Good.
- Uh-huh.
And, um, I want you
to throw me a baby shower.
Oh, of course.
Oh!
It'll be so nice in the spring.
We could do it outside.
I was thinking maybe this week.
Oh, come on!
What, you said so yourself.
We can't wait.
We have to celebrate
every good moment.
Rebecca, you're what?
You're, like, 11 weeks pregnant.
I mean, technically,
that isn't even--
Think about the photos.
We're at our peak.
Neither of us is gonna look
any better than we do right now.
We have to do this
before I get fat
and you get all...cancery.
In case I'm too sick
to say it then, screw you.
Sean is in a tent,
and you're dying.
Having a little fun
wouldn't kill us.
Unfortunate use of words.
But I hear you.
Oh, good! Great!
Um...
So I'll invite a few gals
and their daughters.
It doesn't have to be
anything fancy, no gifts.
Just hand-me-downs.
That's what Sean would want.
Not that he gives a crap
about anything nowadays.
Man, you really did
a number on him.
Rebecca, it's complicated.
I think it would help
if you apologized for lying
and for not telling him
for so long.
How about you apologize
for telling him
what I asked you not to.
- What, I-I--
- You--you have done enough.
You stay out of this one.
We're all family now, Cath.
Seriously.
You are an awesome aunt.
I thought you might like to know
we're having a girl.
What--whoa, whoa, whoa!
What? How do you know that?
I had my first sonogram today.
And you didn't tell me?
Jesus! First Cathy
and now you.
I'm surrounded
by she-liars.
Like if I had told you,
you would have gone?
Well, maybe.
Maybe you should have
given me the option.
You know what, Sean?
This is supposed to be
a fucking happy time.
I'm fucking pregnant,
and I'm not gonna have you
fucking bring this down, okay?
Um...it's my baby too.
How do you expect
to be a decent parent
when you won't even put on
a goddamn pair of pants?
Cathy, what are you doing?
Do you think I can give
this baby a broken lamp?
- Probably not.
- You know,
I've been digging through
this crap for the last hour,
looking for a present
for this baby.
Sorry--fetus.
And God forbid Sean should
come out of his tent depression
and help.
Honey, you're still
recovering from your treatment.
You've got to take it easy.
Oh, my gosh.
- Oh, look at this!
- Oh...
They're my baby clothes
my mom saved.
Do you think Adam would
want them when he has kids?
You think Adam
will even have kids?
- Bet he will.
- Kids should have siblings.
Make sure he has a bunch, okay?
What, so they can
get along like you and Sean?
Rebecca...thinks
this is all my fault.
Well, you know what?
Fuck Rebecca.
And Sean is a grown-up,
okay?
Look, how about this?
Perfect.
Yeah, that could work.
- Hey, Mrs. J.
- What's up, mom?
Oh, I like you two together.
You'd make cute babies.
- Oh...
- Whoa!
Not now.
Someday.
Are you kidding me?
Whoa!
- Is that my old big wheel?
- Yeah.
I'm gonna give it to Rebecca
for the baby shower.
What? You can't
give this away.
- It's mine.
- Ha ha. Come on, buddy,
you're a little big
for that, aren't ya?
- Yeah, just a little.
- Adam--
No. No. No way.
You don't even fit on it
anymore.
- Totally can.
- Fine.
You can ride it,
you can keep it.
Ha ha ha.
Yeah.
That's what I thought.
Wow.
I think this cancer
might be affecting him
more than he thinks.
♪ Girl, are you ready ♪
- Go!
- One...
- Okay...
- Two...Three...
Lift and spread.
Lift and spread.
Rebecca, you're falling behind.
No, I'm not!
Boom.
Done!
Oh, my God!
13 seconds.
Well, at least I have another
six months to work on it.
Thank you
for helping me with all this.
I love a party,
but seriously...
That lady
should not be a mother.
You are really
a diaper prodigy.
I was way into babysitting
as a kid.
Hey, maybe I should hire you
as my nanny.
Why? 'Cause I'm black?
Ruby.
What schools are you looking at?
Ha. Did my mom say we were
here looking at colleges?
She's taking me to Hazelden.
- Rehab?
- Ruby.
You're ruining the party.
Oh, come on, I mean...
Who here hasn't been
to rehab, right?
Pretty much all of us.
Oh, those are adorable.
They have Cs on them.
I-I...I didn't have
a lot of time to deal with food.
It's perfect!
Oh!
O...Okay.
Great.
Because I've decided
that I'm gonna name the baby
Cathy!
Little Cs for Cathy.
But she's Cathy.
Right! Isn't it awesome?
- No.
- W-wait.
So this baby will be named
Cathy Tolke
- like my mom was Cathy Tolke?
- Is Cathy Tolke.
I'm not dead yet.
Cathy has cancer.
I mean, not my Cathy!
That Cathy.
See? It's already confusing.
Okay, look...maybe
someone else healthy
would be excited about this,
but I'm sorry, I'm not.
Out of all of the millions
of names out there,
you go for mine?
I thought you would be touched.
It's an homage.
Excuse me.
You're welcome.
Jesus.
How 'bout, how 'bout,
you know, Monica?
Or Lydia.
Or Hannah.
How 'bout Hannah?
Monica was the name
of my third grade teacher.
- I hate Monica.
- Lavonda, Beatrice, Rose.
Susie.
How about Monique?
Or maybe one of
the flower names.
- Like lilac?
- Okay. Okay.
So this whole Cathy Tolke thing
is gonna be a big problem
when she's growing up
across the street
and we start getting
each other's mail
and phone calls and such,
'cause I might be around
for a while.
It was
Dr. Sherman's office.
He added a spot for me
in the clinical trial.
Oh...
Yes!
That's so great!
Whoo!
Um...I'm just gonna
get some soda.
That's cool.
Use it or lose it.
Sorry about your mom
and the whole cancer shit.
Yeah, well, sorry about rehab.
Guess we're both fucked.
Yeah.
You wanna feel better?
Oh. No, I don't smoke, so...
I'm just gonna go upstairs.
That's not what I meant.
Oh. Ha.
I have a girlfriend.
So do I.
Wait--ha.
Hello.
This is Cathy Jamison calling.
Is Nadine there?
Oh! Hi.
I met your mom last week
at Dr. Sherman's office,
and I was--
Oh. Oh, my God.
I-I'm...
I'm so sorry, I--
Nadine died.
- Who?
- The woman.
Paul, the coin woman.
I called her to tell her
that I got into the trial,
- and--
- Man!
She looked so alive.
Well, now she's not.
He said she was doing so great.
She died?
Just like that?
That is royally fucked.
She gave me her lucky coin,
and then she died.
Cathy, it's not your fault.
Oh, my God!
That's why there was
an extra spot for me.
I climbed over a dead woman's
body to get into that trial!
Whoa! I am not gonna
play that game with you, honey.
You got into the trial
'cause you deserve to
get into the trial.
What, and she didn't?
I'm not saying
she deserved to die, Cathy,
but you deserve
a chance to live
- just like she did.
- Adam.
Adam.
Did something happen
in the basement yesterday?
What?
No.
I mean...No.
Your mom thinks that Ruby
was smoking pot down there.
Oh, yeah?
Yeah. I-I don't know.
Maybe.
She was weird.
She was.
And boom!
There's your goldfish.
Oh! Wait a minute!
What's this?
What are you doing
with that in your head?
Let's put it back in.
Oh, it came out the other side.
How did I do that?
Look at this.
Dr. Sherman.
I'm performing here.
Well, your office
told me you were up here.
I just--
I need a minute.
Uh...This is my assistant.
This is Mrs. Jamison!
Oh ho!
Look at that.
Very good.
She's good, isn't she?
It was Nadine's space,
wasn't it?
I replaced Nadine.
The Great Shermtini is gonna
take a five-minute break.
Aw!
You told me you added a slot.
Now, why wouldn't you
tell me the truth?
Why wouldn't you
tell me she died?
I don't discuss other patients.
We're not patients.
We're people.
But I don't know
how you would know that,
since you only seem to spend
two minutes with each of us.
I know you're
a 43-year-old woman
presenting with advanced
metastatic disease.
I know you have a small tumor
in the soft tissue
behind your kidney which
the last scans didn't show.
I know you're very sick,
and I think this trial
could save your life.
How can I trust you?
You told a dying woman
that she was great.
Why?
To make her feel better?
I don't wanna feel better.
I wanna be better.
What would you like to hear,
Mrs. Jamison?
If you're gonna be
my doctor--if...
You're going to be my doctor,
I need you always, always
have to be honest with me.
You want honesty?
People die.
Before trials, during trials.
Half these kids are not
gonna make it outta here.
And as groundbreaking
as I expect this trial to be,
I'm still gonna lose patients.
We'll learn something
from every death,
so when the next patient
comes through,
maybe they won't
suffer as much.
Maybe they'll live longer.
But make no bones about it.
We all get replaced.
I'm gonna die.
And some other doctor will come
through here and replace me.
Probably not your Doogie Howser
but, you know, still...
Look, I'm not going to beg you
to do this trial.
If you're too shortsighted
to not take the chance
just because you don't like
my bedside manner,
trust me--there are
hundreds of people
who are waiting to replace you.
That's the truth.
Rebecca.
I'm wearing pants.
- Oh, uh--
- Hi.
Hi.
This is for Rebecca
and the baby.
Um...
O-okay.
Thanks.
I'm sorry I lied to you.
And I'm sorry if my being
sick is hard for you.
It's really hard for me too.
It has hands.
She has little hands.
Yeah.
I wanna be better.
Then take the meds, Sean.
Oh...You know what
they do to me, Cath.
They--they dull me out.
They make me all normal.
I-I wear button-down shirts.
- I watch TV.
- Yeah.
Sometimes you do.
I-I don't want numb Sean
to replace fun Sean.
You think you're having fun
right now?
Well...
The tent's pretty cool.
Do you have any idea
how jealous I am of you?
Here.
You can take a pill
and spend all the time
you want with your kid.
I can't.
How the hell can you not
fight to be better when
that's all I'm doing right now?
You could make
a good dad, Sean.
A really good dad.
I'm--I'm sorry you're sick.
Yeah, well,
I'm starting this new
clinical trial,
so God only knows
how sick I'm gonna be.
And hey, no matter what,
you'll always have a little
Cathy Tolke in your life.
Rebecca hasn't told you.
Told me what?
She wants to name
the baby Cathy.
- No.
- Oh, yeah.
Now, that...is insane.
Yeah, right?
I mean, who--
who would name their baby Cathy?
- Oh...
- What kind of parents
would do that to a child?
I have cancer, Rebecca!
I will be forever changed.
Promise me
you will not tell Sean.
Clearly, Rebecca told you.
You should have told me.
I think we have to stop here.
We've done two rounds,
and the tumors are unchanged.
I want a second opinion.
Have you heard of
a Dr. Atticus Sherman?
Paul read about
a stage IV woman
who was completely cured
after seeing him.
I got an appointment
with Dr. Sherman!
Great news!
♪ It's so hard ♪
♪ to turn your life over ♪
♪ step out
of your comfort zone ♪
♪ is this some kind of a joke ♪
♪ will someone
wake me up soon ♪
♪ and tell me ♪
♪ this was just a game
we played ♪
♪ called life ♪
Hey! Welcome back!
You look awesome!
Oh, shit.
Hey, Mrs. Jamison.
Welcome back.
- Thank you, Han.
- We're raising money for you.
We heard the treatment
didn't work.
- You don't need to raise m--
- I hope you don't mind.
We used your first name.
We like the alliteration.
Cupcakes...Cathy.
And cancer!
We didn't think about that.
Oops.
On the house.
Seriously, Washington
had wooden false teeth.
He didn't even have to
brush them.
He would just repaint them.
Oh, hi.
Can I help you?
This is my class.
Oh!
Oh...
Oh, my gosh, I'm so sorry.
You must be Cathy.
Well, kids, it looks like
my job here is done.
- Aw!
- That sucks.
She was only here
for three weeks, people.
We'll miss you so much.
You're so sweet!
Facebook me if you want.
She's a sub.
She's just going back
to wherever subs come from.
She's not dying.
Well, uh...
Good luck to you.
And to you.
I hate her too.
So...they take all the mirrors
out of your house or something?
You don't look good.
Thank you!
Finally,
someone telling the truth.
The interleukin
kinda took it out of me.
You could still use
some mascara.
Glad you're back.
Me too.
Want a hug?
Uh...No, thanks.
Hey! How are you?
You okay?
Hey.
You going to lunch?
Why don't you ask me
what you really want
to ask me, okay?
How am I?
You know, am I totally bummed
because my mom has cancer?
Do I want another
fucking cancer cupcake?
Because they're free for me.
I just wanted to know
if you were going to lunch.
Oh, yeah.
Yeah.
Good. I'll save you
a seat, freak.
She had plushy toys
all over my desk.
It's like I never existed!
Come on.
Kids always love the subs.
Oh, God,
all those cancer faces.
It's like I'm starring
in my own Greek tragedy.
Okay. Your last
round of treatment...
Within $100 without going over.
1,252.
So sorry, Cathy Jamison.
Correct answer is...
2,047.33!
That's a lot of cupcakes.
But insurance covers 90%,
so please write a check
for $204.33.
You know, this is why
stage IV people go so fast.
They can't afford
to stick around.
Hey. No more downer talk.
Tomorrow...we are meeting
the renowned
Dr. Atticus Sherman,
and I, for one,
am prepared to be wowed.
You be wowed.
I'll be drunk.
Hey!
Hey!
I'm going to work.
Have a great day.
Sean, honey, are you
just gonna sit in there
all day with no pants on?
Perhaps.
Look...I get that the whole
"my sister has cancer" thing
is a huge bummer--huge.
But you have to start coping
a teeny bit.
- We're gonna have a baby.
- Well, you better hope
that baby
doesn't have a sister...
'Cause sisters lie and die.
They make pills, Sean.
You'll feel better.
I probably even have some
in my bag right now.
No, thank you, nurse Ratched.
How many times
do I have to write stage IV?
It's depressing.
Sorry.
Didn't mean to eavesdrop.
I used to get
so annoyed writing that,
I just started putting
"royally f'ed" each time.
You're in a pretty good mood
for someone who's royally f'ed.
I got some good news for once.
Dr. Sherman
says I'm in great shape.
And I just made it into
this terrific
melanoma clinical trial
he's running.
- Oh, I like the sound of that.
- Yeah, me too.
It's had remarkable results
in Europe.
Ask him about it.
I will.
I hope it's not forward
of me, but...
here's my number.
In case you ever want to chat
or have any questions.
I'm Nadine.
Cathy.
Hi.
This is an angel coin.
It was my good luck charm
but...
I think it's done
its trick for me.
Thank you.
Good luck.
Mrs. Jamison?
How long has it been?
- 27 minutes.
- So rude!
You know,
I like that he's late.
It means that he spends
a lot of time with his patients.
Why do they always
have paintings
of women looking
out of windows?
They waiting for us to jump?
Well, hi, there.
Paul Jamison.
- Husband.
- Atticus Sherman.
Catherine.
Hello.
Cathy.
Patient.
I figured as much.
Although what's going on
there, buddy?
'Cause there's a heart attack
in there with your name on it.
Okay, let's take a look.
Uh-huh.
Okay.
No shortness of breath,
muscle weakness?
- Not yet.
- Okay, that's good.
Take deep breaths.
Glad you came to see me.
I don't have good feelings
about that Doogie Howser
I talked with on the phone.
- Dr. Mauer?
- He sounded like he was 16.
- I know, right?
- Did I make a mistake
doing the interleukin 2
treatment?
No. You went in
for the nuclear blast first.
It's a fine choice.
Just didn't work out for you
so, you know, onward.
I met one of your patients,
Nadine, in the waiting room.
Isn't she a trip?
She's got more energy
than all of us.
She's doing great.
She was telling me about
a clinical trial you're doing?
Yeah. I'm very excited
about the potential with that,
especially with
the late-stage patients.
Fantastic.
So when do we start that?
It's all filled up.
There are no more spots.
Seriously?
Hey, no long faces.
We'll figure something out.
Wait a minute.
So we're...we're done?
Yeah. Let me study your scans,
and I'll be in touch.
- We've been waiting 27 minutes.
- Paul.
Here. Take my card.
Email me with any questions.
Yeah, I do a little
amateur magicianing on the side,
you know, bend the occasional
spoon for the kids.
No chance you can
bend the rules for me
and get me into that trial?
Only spoons.
The Great Shermtini, my ass.
He couldn't put one
extra person into his trial?
- He said I was fat.
- Don't I deserve it
- as much as that other woman?
- You deserve it more
- than that other woman.
- Don't say that.
- It's true!
- Yeah, you're right.
Nadine's what--she's like
20 years older than I am.
She's already had
that extra time.
I want that time!
Plus he said
she was doing great.
- She doesn't need the trial.
- It's not fair.
- It's beyond not fair.
- Oh, I shouldn't say that.
Why not? Why don't you
deserve to be angry about this?
I am!
It is absurdly not fair!
Let's go get a burger!
I want a burger.
- You want a burger?
- I can't.
I've gotta go with Rebecca
to her doctor.
Sean's too depressed to do it.
Aw, honey.
Your life
is so not fair right now.
I know.
You see that?
That's the beginnings
of fingers.
- Wow.
- Look at that.
Please tell me it doesn't
have webbed feet.
- It all looks fine.
- The baby daddy is bipolar,
so this kid could be
a little wacky.
- Rebecca.
- That's hereditary, right?
That's not my specialty.
Oh, wow.
What if the baby has it,
and I catch it through
the umbilical cord?
- That can't happen.
- Can we concentrate
on the positive here?
Be happy.
There's so many other things
not to be happy about.
She has cancer.
- Oh, I'm so sorry.
- Is melanoma hereditary?
- I can't believe I never asked!
- Oh, my God!
All right, enough!
You're having a child.
This is a miracle
on so many levels,
so we...we have to
celebrate this moment!
Let's just enjoy this.
You hear that?
The heartbeat.
Oh, my God!
Is it a girl?
It--it sounds like a girl.
It's a little too early
to be 100% sure,
but based on what I'm seeing
and not seeing,
I would guess it's a girl.
It's a girl.
Ohh!
I'm home!
Hey.
How was school?
This was on my locker.
Oh...
Well...
That's sweet.
No, mom, look at this.
It's not sweet.
It's creepy.
I mean, ever since
school started three weeks ago,
I've been getting more attention
than that albino kid.
Okay. The sparkles
are a little creepy.
But you know...
they care about you
and what you're going through.
You're the one
with the cancer, mom.
Thanks for reminding me.
- Hey, Adam.
- Hey, what's up?
What are you making?
It smells like ass.
Quinoa and cauliflower.
Cruciferous vegetables
are antioxidants.
Ugh! Haven't you been
punished enough?
Apparently not.
So, um...
I was thinking about
what you said earlier
about staying positive.
- Good.
- Uh-huh.
And, um, I want you
to throw me a baby shower.
Oh, of course.
Oh!
It'll be so nice in the spring.
We could do it outside.
I was thinking maybe this week.
Oh, come on!
What, you said so yourself.
We can't wait.
We have to celebrate
every good moment.
Rebecca, you're what?
You're, like, 11 weeks pregnant.
I mean, technically,
that isn't even--
Think about the photos.
We're at our peak.
Neither of us is gonna look
any better than we do right now.
We have to do this
before I get fat
and you get all...cancery.
In case I'm too sick
to say it then, screw you.
Sean is in a tent,
and you're dying.
Having a little fun
wouldn't kill us.
Unfortunate use of words.
But I hear you.
Oh, good! Great!
Um...
So I'll invite a few gals
and their daughters.
It doesn't have to be
anything fancy, no gifts.
Just hand-me-downs.
That's what Sean would want.
Not that he gives a crap
about anything nowadays.
Man, you really did
a number on him.
Rebecca, it's complicated.
I think it would help
if you apologized for lying
and for not telling him
for so long.
How about you apologize
for telling him
what I asked you not to.
- What, I-I--
- You--you have done enough.
You stay out of this one.
We're all family now, Cath.
Seriously.
You are an awesome aunt.
I thought you might like to know
we're having a girl.
What--whoa, whoa, whoa!
What? How do you know that?
I had my first sonogram today.
And you didn't tell me?
Jesus! First Cathy
and now you.
I'm surrounded
by she-liars.
Like if I had told you,
you would have gone?
Well, maybe.
Maybe you should have
given me the option.
You know what, Sean?
This is supposed to be
a fucking happy time.
I'm fucking pregnant,
and I'm not gonna have you
fucking bring this down, okay?
Um...it's my baby too.
How do you expect
to be a decent parent
when you won't even put on
a goddamn pair of pants?
Cathy, what are you doing?
Do you think I can give
this baby a broken lamp?
- Probably not.
- You know,
I've been digging through
this crap for the last hour,
looking for a present
for this baby.
Sorry--fetus.
And God forbid Sean should
come out of his tent depression
and help.
Honey, you're still
recovering from your treatment.
You've got to take it easy.
Oh, my gosh.
- Oh, look at this!
- Oh...
They're my baby clothes
my mom saved.
Do you think Adam would
want them when he has kids?
You think Adam
will even have kids?
- Bet he will.
- Kids should have siblings.
Make sure he has a bunch, okay?
What, so they can
get along like you and Sean?
Rebecca...thinks
this is all my fault.
Well, you know what?
Fuck Rebecca.
And Sean is a grown-up,
okay?
Look, how about this?
Perfect.
Yeah, that could work.
- Hey, Mrs. J.
- What's up, mom?
Oh, I like you two together.
You'd make cute babies.
- Oh...
- Whoa!
Not now.
Someday.
Are you kidding me?
Whoa!
- Is that my old big wheel?
- Yeah.
I'm gonna give it to Rebecca
for the baby shower.
What? You can't
give this away.
- It's mine.
- Ha ha. Come on, buddy,
you're a little big
for that, aren't ya?
- Yeah, just a little.
- Adam--
No. No. No way.
You don't even fit on it
anymore.
- Totally can.
- Fine.
You can ride it,
you can keep it.
Ha ha ha.
Yeah.
That's what I thought.
Wow.
I think this cancer
might be affecting him
more than he thinks.
♪ Girl, are you ready ♪
- Go!
- One...
- Okay...
- Two...Three...
Lift and spread.
Lift and spread.
Rebecca, you're falling behind.
No, I'm not!
Boom.
Done!
Oh, my God!
13 seconds.
Well, at least I have another
six months to work on it.
Thank you
for helping me with all this.
I love a party,
but seriously...
That lady
should not be a mother.
You are really
a diaper prodigy.
I was way into babysitting
as a kid.
Hey, maybe I should hire you
as my nanny.
Why? 'Cause I'm black?
Ruby.
What schools are you looking at?
Ha. Did my mom say we were
here looking at colleges?
She's taking me to Hazelden.
- Rehab?
- Ruby.
You're ruining the party.
Oh, come on, I mean...
Who here hasn't been
to rehab, right?
Pretty much all of us.
Oh, those are adorable.
They have Cs on them.
I-I...I didn't have
a lot of time to deal with food.
It's perfect!
Oh!
O...Okay.
Great.
Because I've decided
that I'm gonna name the baby
Cathy!
Little Cs for Cathy.
But she's Cathy.
Right! Isn't it awesome?
- No.
- W-wait.
So this baby will be named
Cathy Tolke
- like my mom was Cathy Tolke?
- Is Cathy Tolke.
I'm not dead yet.
Cathy has cancer.
I mean, not my Cathy!
That Cathy.
See? It's already confusing.
Okay, look...maybe
someone else healthy
would be excited about this,
but I'm sorry, I'm not.
Out of all of the millions
of names out there,
you go for mine?
I thought you would be touched.
It's an homage.
Excuse me.
You're welcome.
Jesus.
How 'bout, how 'bout,
you know, Monica?
Or Lydia.
Or Hannah.
How 'bout Hannah?
Monica was the name
of my third grade teacher.
- I hate Monica.
- Lavonda, Beatrice, Rose.
Susie.
How about Monique?
Or maybe one of
the flower names.
- Like lilac?
- Okay. Okay.
So this whole Cathy Tolke thing
is gonna be a big problem
when she's growing up
across the street
and we start getting
each other's mail
and phone calls and such,
'cause I might be around
for a while.
It was
Dr. Sherman's office.
He added a spot for me
in the clinical trial.
Oh...
Yes!
That's so great!
Whoo!
Um...I'm just gonna
get some soda.
That's cool.
Use it or lose it.
Sorry about your mom
and the whole cancer shit.
Yeah, well, sorry about rehab.
Guess we're both fucked.
Yeah.
You wanna feel better?
Oh. No, I don't smoke, so...
I'm just gonna go upstairs.
That's not what I meant.
Oh. Ha.
I have a girlfriend.
So do I.
Wait--ha.
Hello.
This is Cathy Jamison calling.
Is Nadine there?
Oh! Hi.
I met your mom last week
at Dr. Sherman's office,
and I was--
Oh. Oh, my God.
I-I'm...
I'm so sorry, I--
Nadine died.
- Who?
- The woman.
Paul, the coin woman.
I called her to tell her
that I got into the trial,
- and--
- Man!
She looked so alive.
Well, now she's not.
He said she was doing so great.
She died?
Just like that?
That is royally fucked.
She gave me her lucky coin,
and then she died.
Cathy, it's not your fault.
Oh, my God!
That's why there was
an extra spot for me.
I climbed over a dead woman's
body to get into that trial!
Whoa! I am not gonna
play that game with you, honey.
You got into the trial
'cause you deserve to
get into the trial.
What, and she didn't?
I'm not saying
she deserved to die, Cathy,
but you deserve
a chance to live
- just like she did.
- Adam.
Adam.
Did something happen
in the basement yesterday?
What?
No.
I mean...No.
Your mom thinks that Ruby
was smoking pot down there.
Oh, yeah?
Yeah. I-I don't know.
Maybe.
She was weird.
She was.
And boom!
There's your goldfish.
Oh! Wait a minute!
What's this?
What are you doing
with that in your head?
Let's put it back in.
Oh, it came out the other side.
How did I do that?
Look at this.
Dr. Sherman.
I'm performing here.
Well, your office
told me you were up here.
I just--
I need a minute.
Uh...This is my assistant.
This is Mrs. Jamison!
Oh ho!
Look at that.
Very good.
She's good, isn't she?
It was Nadine's space,
wasn't it?
I replaced Nadine.
The Great Shermtini is gonna
take a five-minute break.
Aw!
You told me you added a slot.
Now, why wouldn't you
tell me the truth?
Why wouldn't you
tell me she died?
I don't discuss other patients.
We're not patients.
We're people.
But I don't know
how you would know that,
since you only seem to spend
two minutes with each of us.
I know you're
a 43-year-old woman
presenting with advanced
metastatic disease.
I know you have a small tumor
in the soft tissue
behind your kidney which
the last scans didn't show.
I know you're very sick,
and I think this trial
could save your life.
How can I trust you?
You told a dying woman
that she was great.
Why?
To make her feel better?
I don't wanna feel better.
I wanna be better.
What would you like to hear,
Mrs. Jamison?
If you're gonna be
my doctor--if...
You're going to be my doctor,
I need you always, always
have to be honest with me.
You want honesty?
People die.
Before trials, during trials.
Half these kids are not
gonna make it outta here.
And as groundbreaking
as I expect this trial to be,
I'm still gonna lose patients.
We'll learn something
from every death,
so when the next patient
comes through,
maybe they won't
suffer as much.
Maybe they'll live longer.
But make no bones about it.
We all get replaced.
I'm gonna die.
And some other doctor will come
through here and replace me.
Probably not your Doogie Howser
but, you know, still...
Look, I'm not going to beg you
to do this trial.
If you're too shortsighted
to not take the chance
just because you don't like
my bedside manner,
trust me--there are
hundreds of people
who are waiting to replace you.
That's the truth.
Rebecca.
I'm wearing pants.
- Oh, uh--
- Hi.
Hi.
This is for Rebecca
and the baby.
Um...
O-okay.
Thanks.
I'm sorry I lied to you.
And I'm sorry if my being
sick is hard for you.
It's really hard for me too.
It has hands.
She has little hands.
Yeah.
I wanna be better.
Then take the meds, Sean.
Oh...You know what
they do to me, Cath.
They--they dull me out.
They make me all normal.
I-I wear button-down shirts.
- I watch TV.
- Yeah.
Sometimes you do.
I-I don't want numb Sean
to replace fun Sean.
You think you're having fun
right now?
Well...
The tent's pretty cool.
Do you have any idea
how jealous I am of you?
Here.
You can take a pill
and spend all the time
you want with your kid.
I can't.
How the hell can you not
fight to be better when
that's all I'm doing right now?
You could make
a good dad, Sean.
A really good dad.
I'm--I'm sorry you're sick.
Yeah, well,
I'm starting this new
clinical trial,
so God only knows
how sick I'm gonna be.
And hey, no matter what,
you'll always have a little
Cathy Tolke in your life.
Rebecca hasn't told you.
Told me what?
She wants to name
the baby Cathy.
- No.
- Oh, yeah.
Now, that...is insane.
Yeah, right?
I mean, who--
who would name their baby Cathy?
- Oh...
- What kind of parents
would do that to a child?