In the wake of Paul’s (Oliver Platt) near-fatal heart attack, Cathy (Laura Linney) prods him to join her at a creative retreat run by cancer survivor and “joyologist” Joy Kleinman (guest star Susan Sarandon). While the initially wary Oliver dives into Joy’s method, Cathy decides to give their lives new purpose by adopting a baby. However, aided by his new assistant Andrea (Gabourey Sidibe), Oliver’s unexpected success as a motivational speaker distracts him from becoming a new parent. As their son Adam (Gabriel Basso) explores religion and sex, Cathy’s brother Sean (John Benjamin Hickey) launches a new career as a phone sex operator. And even as Cathy finds strength in a new alter ego when her adoption effort falls apart, her ongoing struggle with cancer and her deteriorating marriage force her to once again confront her own mortality. Guest stars include Alan Alda, Victor Garber, Mamie Gummer and Allison Janney.