Six Feet Under

2001 • HBO
4.7
497 reviews
TV-MA
Rating
Eligible
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Season 1 episodes (13)

1 Pilot
6/3/01
In the series premiere, Nate Fisher returns home for the holidays to the shattering news of his father's death.
2 The Will
6/10/01
After a pyramid scheme owner dies and leaves his wife and baby daughter with a load of debt, Nate (Peter Krause) offers to loan them a casket. Meanwhile, the Fisher family attend the reading of their father's will.
3 The Foot
6/17/01
When a bakery owner is killed, it's up to Federico (Freddy Rodriguez) to put the pieces back together. The family considers selling the funeral business altogether to Kroehner.
4 Familia
6/24/01
After a gang member is killed, the Fishers find that his family's wishes for burial differ from those of his gang leader. Nate's girlfriend Brenda (Rachel Griffiths) makes an unfavorable impression during a family dinner.
5 An Open Book
10/11/13
Ruth is stunned by the visitors at a porn star's wake; Nate has a strange first meeting with Brenda's brother Billy (Jeremy Sisto); and Keith takes issue with David's desire to replace his father as deacon at the family church.
6 The Room
7/8/01
An ornery widower camps out in the Fisher Funeral Home; sparks fly between Claire and Billy; Ruth spurns Hiram and is later wooed by a Russian florist; David is pursued by a pushy parishioner while performing charity work.
7 Brotherhood
7/15/01
When a young Army vet dies of Gulf War Syndrome, his brother opts for a cremation and disposal of the body; Ruth has Hiram over to cook dinner and then takes a job with Nikolai; David's church involvement results in his casting a very important vote.
8 Crossroads
7/22/01
In an effort to raise income, Nate and David rent out a room in the funeral home; Claire struggles to grasp the lessons of her outreach hike; Ruth attempts to reconcile her feelings about Hiram; Brenda's Aussie friend gets under Nate's skin.
9 Life's Too Short
7/29/01
A tragedy reunites Claire with a guy who sullied her reputation at school; David and his new boyfriend run into Keith and his new partner on the disco circuit; and Ruth has an eye-opening camping trip with Hiram.
10 The New Person
8/5/01
Nate (Peter Krause) and David hire an outspoken mortician (Illeana Douglas); Billy's photo gallery exhibit features one particularly surprising shot; and Claire frets over Gabe's inconsistent behavior.
11 The Trip
8/12/01
Nate (Peter Krause), David (Michael C. Hall) and Brenda (Rachel Griffiths) take an interesting trip to Vegas for a funeral directors' conference; a baby's death from SIDS stuns the family; and Ruth (Frances Conroy) takes a floral-arrangement class.
12 A Private Life
8/19/01
A gay man's murder forces David to confont his own fears about his lifestyle; Brenda's parents and Nate consider getting help for the increasingly troubled Billy...but Brenda isn't so sure that's the answer.
13 Knock, Knock
8/19/01
In the first season's final episode, written and directed by series creator Alan Ball, the Fisher family experiences the control-freak side of Tracy Montrose Blaire; Brenda visits a remorseful Billy; David faces problems at his church.

About this show

When death is your business, what is your life? From Oscar(R)-winning screenwriter Alan Ball ('American Beauty') comes this drama series that takes a darkly comic look at a dysfunctional L.A. family that runs a funeral business.

Ratings and reviews

4.7
497 reviews
Christy Abbott
August 1, 2015
This is a show that I am absolutely glad I watched. The first season is a bit slow but only because there are so many characters and each is given time to develop. Once you know the characters, well, you can't wait to see each episode. This family is weird and lovable all at the same time. Some of the best acting, directing, and writing I've experienced and highly recommend it. I would not recommend it for young children due to the language, brief nudity, and yelling/fighting. I don't think I've seen a show wrap up with such depth and beauty. Class A job to all involved!!!
28 people found this review helpful
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A Google user
January 19, 2018
Bloody brilliant contrast and development of characters. I love the frequent situational irony in many of the episodes, and everything about it is just spot on, yet not too predictable. I love it. Six Feet Under has made me cringe, laugh and cry, and feel a wide range of other emotions. Kudos to Alan Ball for being able to put together such a magnificent series.
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Truth B Told
November 24, 2018
Previously I kept it short and sweet and called this show the best series ever, but it is more than that. Its profound, humorous at times, dark, eye opening, tragic, and beautiful. People are all of these things, and everyone should see it.
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