(Season 4, Episodes 4-6)
In the comments of my last diary entry, frequent commenter Ryan told me to brace myself. I wasn’t really sure why I was supposed to be bracing myself, but I really wish I had taken his advice to heart… I did not brace myself adequately.
Six Feet Under has consistently been impressing me, but I was not expecting an episode like “That’s My Dog.” It was so skillfully done, and immensely disturbing. I honestly had to take a little break from the show after the episode to try to get my feet back under me. Wow.
“Can I Come Up Now”
I almost forgot that Jennifer existed, as we haven’t seen David’s ex-fiance since the beginning of season one. Her reappearance was certainly interesting, though. I was a little surprised by her lash out at David, but I imagine it was a part of her grieving, and it seemed like she wanted to be lashing out at her current fiance.
It seems like I, along with Ruth, was too quick to blame Arthur for the mail order poop. It seems like George has more than a few skeletons (and ex-wives) in his closet. It is clearly starting to get to Ruth too.
How did Margaret and Olivier not get their own spin off series? I would totally tune into that show every week. These two are hilarious together.
“That’s My Dog”
Forget about David, I think I was emotionally scarred from this episode. It was definitely a different kind of episode, as most of the action featured on David’s kidnapping. The entire last half of the episode was spent with David and his torturer as they wheeled around LA. I really thought it was masterfully done, and I had a pit in my stomach for hours after the episode ended. I think that is a true testament to the power of the episode.
I’m really interested to see how these events affect David moving forward. I can’t imagine he’s just going to walk away from begin dowsed in gasoline and having a gun shoved in his mouth without any emotional scars. These writers almost seem sadistic at this point, and I’m sad to say that I love it.
There were some other things going on in this episode. It was heartbreaking watching Nate go to the bereavement support group, only to find it full of old people talking about the lifetime of memories they had with their spouses, while Nate had about a year. All together now: Poor Nate.
“Terror Starts at Home”
Completely understandable panic attack aside, it seems like David is recovering remarkably well from his ordeal. I’m wondering if there are going to be greater difficulties for him as the season moves on. It was nice to see Keith so compassionate and comforting with David. Their relationship has really come a long way. I think a lot of it must come from his happiness at work.
David’s birthday dinner was certainly amusing. Why does it seem that whenever there is a large Fisher dinner at least one member of the family is high on something? It always makes for an amusing meal, though. Ironically enough, Claire didn’t even supply the most laughs at dinner despite being high. That honor went to Ruth and George, as Ruth freaked out about George’s “dirty little secret” neti pot.
The big event in this episode, however, came with Nate and Brenda reuniting. It turns out Brenda just couldn’t face having a normal life with Joe, with a house, a baby, and maybe even some happiness. Will she and Nate hook back up and start making each other miserable again? I guess I’ll find out….
Clacked by Bob Degon
on Jun 23, 2009 @ 10:00 EST5EDT
I completely hate the episode “That’s My Dog”, I would just like to forget it was ever made. I think it’s easily the poorest hour of the TV show. David grew so much only to have this storyline come along which he acts like a stupid 10 year old. I couldn’t believe how much that episode dragged on and on and on and David continued to act like a fool.
I’m glad you finally got to it so I can get that off my chest.
*POST AUTHOR*
I didn’t hate the episode as much as you, and I’ve been pleasantly surprised with how they’ve been handling the fallout though. I was afraid that it was just going to be too much, but it hasn’t been so far.
Hehe Bob, the rest of the show is still going to knock your socks off :-)
I wept like a baby during the finale…
Only during the finale? The last few episodes of the show are so incredible there will be a pond on your floor. :-]
I have watched the last 10 minutes of the show no less than 3-4 dozen times now.
The final, the last 10 minutes are magistral.
Alan Ball has shown his talent with this show, even more than with American Beauty (which is awesome).
So True Blood (which is good) can’t compare. Of course it’s my opinion.
Years later I still find it quite disturbing. When the same actor appeared as a P.I. on House MD it freaked me out a little.
It’s a testament to the great writing and acting on this show that it can make such a powerful and lasting impression.