Cast
Peter Krause … Nate Fisher
Michael C. Hall …David Fisher
Frances Conroy …Ruth Fisher
Lauren Ambrose …Claire Fisher
Freddy Rodriguez …Frederico Diaz
Mathew St. Patrick …Keith Charles
Jeremy Sisto …Billy Chenowith
Justina Machado …Vanessa Diaz
James Cromwell …George Sibley
Rachael Griffiths …Brenda Chenowith
The Show
The final season of Six Feet Under saw many triumphs and tragedies. It featured characters both growing and regressing. It also proved a poignant ending to a remarkably consistent series. What follows are some of the highlights of the collection.
The season opener, ‘A Coat of White Primer’, features the long awaited union of Brenda and Nate, which is interrupted by Brenda miscarrying their child. It also picks up on the crumbling of the relationship between Ruth and George.
‘Rainbow of Her Reasons’ sees Ruth’s sister Sarah (Patricia Clarkson) show up to bury a friend (who also happens to be the woman Nate lost his virginity to.) The result is an estrogen fest of female bonding that has Ruth at her most relaxed.
Nate’s 40th birthday features prominently in ‘The Silence.’ The party itself is perhaps equal parts the best and the most awkward birthday party ever. It’s a celebration not to be missed and features some stellar writing and acting.
‘Singing for Our Lives’ can be described with one word “Narm!”
‘Everyone’s Waiting’ is the series finale. The final three minute sequence features glimpses into the future to see how all of the series major characters meet their end.
Score
9.5
The DVD
Video
The video is flawless. The widescreen ratio (as it was on HBO) gives the show such a dramatic and epic flair. It really does look great on DVD.
Audio
It’s in Dolby so you know it sounds solid. And that final three minute sequence (which features the song ‘Breathe Me’) is even more moving in Dolby.
Special Features
While it’s not loaded with Special Feature, the features it does offer are certainly insightful. Half of the episodes feature commentary from cast and crew, including series creator Alan Ball on the finale.
I enjoyed the commentaries. They’ve got enough anecdotes for fans of the series to enjoy, but they also have plenty of technical points for those looking to learn about the craft.
The two part retrospective ‘Six Feet Under:2001-2005’ is interesting, but also ran during the final season on HBO. ‘Live and Loss: The Impact of Six Feet Under’ features the impact the show had on mortuary industry. It’s actually much more interesting than it sounds, as it features actual funeral directors critiquing (and praising) the show.
There are also episode recaps and previews.
Score
8.5
