(Season 5, Episodes 9-11)
One episode left of Six Feet Under. I’m saving a whole post for the finale because you all have hyped it up as the greatest finale in all of television history. My expectations are high, folks.
There is some business to attend to before the finale, however. These episodes leading up to the finale have been really heavy, but I love that the show has come full circle. The series began with the loss and mourning of the Fisher patriarch, and it is finishing with the loss and mourning of the de-facto Fisher patriarch.
“Ecotone”
So much heartbreak in this episode. The obvious case was Ruth, who was out on a very unpleasant camping trip while her oldest son was dying. It’s just tragic to lose someone so suddenly and miss the chance to say goodbye to them.
The other moment of heartbreak for me came when Nate told Brenda it was over. It wasn’t surprising, or even unwarranted, but he was so casual, almost nonchalant about his dismissal of her. He didn’t even leave open the possibility of a reconciliation, and he did it all with Maya sitting at the foot of the bed. Cold.
I loved how it almost mirrored Nate’s relationship with Lisa. The marriages were rocky and both had children together, complicating the situation even further, but they ended in drastically different ways. I don’t know if Nate just decided that he needed to start living for himself, or if it was more a commentary on how Nate and Brenda just didn’t have anything in common. Things were rocky with Lisa, but I always believed that the two of them legitimately cared for each other at some level. With Brenda, I’m not sure I can say the same thing.
“All Alone”
And the mourning begins. It’s always interesting to see how different people react to the death of a loved one, even if that sounds a tad insensitive and overly clinical. Claire runs away, David becomes super funeral planner while succumbing to his PTSD, and Brenda just gets pissed.
I have to say that I was more than a little annoyed with David and his episodes. I understand that the stress of losing his brother, someone that he considered a protector, triggered a whole bunch of his issues with his attack to resurface. You know what though? I don’t care. It was annoying, and I think it detracted from the episode.
It was nice to see Ruth and George reconnect, even if it took tragic circumstances for it to happen. I’m not sure if Ruth just needed someone to connect with for comfort, or if there is actually a future for these two. That should be interesting.
“Static”
A month later and the Fisher clan was still trying to figure out how to move on without Nate, including Brenda. Before the little seduction scene between her and Billy was revealed to be a dream, I was about ready to be done with this show. That was just too over the top. I was happy to see it was just a dream.
Ruth and George seem to be in a really good place, and it should be interesting to see what happens with Maya. I wonder what sort of legal precedent there is for a case like this. I’m hoping that it won’t come to that for Brenda and Ruth, and honestly, I’m not sure what the best situation for Maya is. Poor kid.
It was hard to watch Claire and David still struggling with the loss. Claire self destructed at work and then crashed the hearse after going to see Nate’s resting spot in the middle of the night. With the crashing of the iconic green hearse, it’s not hard to feel the end coming. David continued his annoying freak out, with Keith finally kicking him out of the house. I would have to. Get some help, David.
I really enjoyed seeing Rico and Vanessa connecting over the possibility of opening their own funeral home. It was clear that she was drawn to the idea and enjoyed helping Rico at Fisher & Diaz. I just wonder if this marks the end of the Fisher’s funeral home.
Clacked by Bob Degon
on Aug 04, 2009 @ 11:00 EST5EDT
Not a word about that wrenching burial scene? Wow. I know this show has had lots of gravesite scenes, but this one was utterly heartbreaking. And the way David was helped to overcome his fears at the site to help carry Nate’s body–it was probably the first time I _wasn’t_ annoyed by his PTSD.
Yeah it was a great scene, particularly with everyone taking the shovels and throwing dirt onto the grave. Oversight on my part.
For me, though, I think Nate burying Lisa was even more heartbreaking.
I was waiting for these… took you long enough! :-p
When Nate tells Brenda it’s over and then he dies shortly after was just perfect. It was amazing just how great that scene was.
Also the finale get’s more amazing towards the end, so don’t worry if you go “This is the best finale ever?” during it. I actually have watched the ending of the show at least 50 times, no lie, it’s that moving.
I kinda lost track of the show by the last season but heard about the final episode. So I queued that one up. That last half has me bawling every time I watch it and I do not cry easily (unless its that time of the month haha). It really hit home for me the emotions with change/loss/acceptance/etc all at once.
Alan Ball has showed his talent with this show, he cannot do wrong thanks to Six Feet Under.
I am glad you spoke about the Nate/Lisa relationship like that, lot’s of people didn’t like her character. For me she was just a complex and really interesting woman played by a wonderful actress.
Anyway this show : gold..
The final…