(Season 5, Episodes 4-6)
Man, for two people who “love” each other, Nate and Brenda sure like to hurt each other… a lot. This block of Six Feet Under episodes really saw them return to their season one and two form of emotionally kicking the crap out of each other. I went into their renewed relationship with an open mind, hoping that they had changed enough to make it work. After seeing these episodes, though, I don’t know how this relationship can last. It doesn’t stand a chance.
This block also featured each of the Fisher women dumping their mentally unstable men. It appears that this has started the mending of their own relationship, as well, and will hopefully lead Claire away from douchedom, because her attitude is wearing thin.
“Time Flies”
Was this the beginning of the end for Nate and Brenda? Between Nate not showing enough enthusiasm at Brenda’s pregnancy, and Brenda passive aggressively attacking Nate, this episode was a little hard to watch. Obviously, Nate was having a bit of a mid life crisis on his fortieth birthday. It was… (I hate to say fun, but I will) fun watching him get more and more angry through the run of his surprise party, eventually killing the intruding bird that kept finding it’s way into the house. He totally came unhinged, and it made for a great episode.
I’m really feeling bad for George these days. I understand that Ruth has every right to be pissed with him and the situation, but the poor guy. Credit should go to the writers for creating a complex story. All too often shows have clear cut “good guys” and “bad guys,” even in dramas. It’s refreshing to watch real, well rounded, and flawed characters on the screen.
“Eat a Peach”
This whole Keith and David story line with the adoption/surrogate search for a child isn’t quite as dynamic as their previous plots. Frankly, I’m a little bored with it. I think their relationship has gotten to such a good place, that it’s a little dull to watch. I’m sure adding some kids into the mix will shake things up, but for now, I’m slightly annoyed.
You know who else is annoying me again: Brenda. Her passive aggressive tactics towards Nate are really getting tired. I understand that they are mostly in response to the signals of coldness and detachment that he sends her way, but give it a rest, Brenda.
Of course, she’s being a whole lot less passive aggressive than Ruth, who is actually trying to sneak out of her relationship with George. I don’t think that’s a very kind way to break up with someone, even if it’s coming from a good place. Just confront him, Ruth.
“The Rainbow of Her Reasons”
Why does it seem like poor Rico is always a plot line afterthought? It’s like the writers sit in their office, giving all the good stories to the Fishers and then go: “Oh shoot! We forgot about Rico!” This whole cheating, marriage breakup, and reconciliation has been… boring. In this episode Vanessa finally realized that Rico had his uses and let him back into the house after dealing with a nightmare au pair. Not really a reconciliation, but a step in that direction for sure.
It seems that Claire is really being humbled, having been forced to take a temp position as well as losing out on her grant. I hope that she will see that maybe she’s not as special as she thinks she is and get back to her old self. I loved the moment at the end of this episode when a grief stricken Sarah practically crushed Claire, telling her that maybe she just isn’t an artist. After being the one who pushed Claire toward art school in the first place, the comment obviously carried a lot of weight.
Clacked by Bob Degon
on Jul 21, 2009 @ 17:00 EST5EDT
I wish I could sit with you as you watch the last few episodes just to see the look on your face.
I always thought that Brenda was making a real attempt to get their relationship to be workable and stable by this point in the series, whereas, Nate was always looking for the next-best thing. He was never happy (other than father’s death, necessitating his return to the Fishers in the first place), and sought solace in drugs and sex. It was during this period that Brenda (to my mind) realized that Nate was too broken and too far-gone to be a good partner, a good father, or of any value and she had wasted these years on a fantasy that wasn’t based on any sort of reality.