Okay, I’ll admit- I watch a lot of TV. And while some people think tropes like the dumb best friend, bestie breakups, and enemies-to-lovers are overused and boring, I find the predictability that comes with these common plot lines comforting. Even so, I haven’t been able to stop talking (to literally anyone that will listen) about a show that doesn’t conform to any of these basic tropes. It’s called Six Feet Under.
Before I dive into all the things I love about the show, I think I should give a brief summary:
Made in the early 2000s by the creator of True Blood (Alan Ball), Six Feet Under follows the Fisher family as they navigate death in both their professional and personal lives. When faced with the death of his dad in the opening episode, Nate Fisher decides to help his brother David (played by Michael C. Hall, who plays the title character in Dexter) in running the family business- “Fisher & Sons Funeral Home.” David, who is a closeted gay man, lives inside the funeral home with his 16 year old sister Claire and his mother Ruth. The death of the Fisher patriarch forces the family to evaluate what’s important to them, and in turn sets each character on a quest for happiness that lasts until the series finale.
No summary can do the show justice. Though it only lasted five seasons, the show won over 20 awards. Honestly, I think Six Feet Under is one of the best series I have ever seen.
If the basic plot didn’t persuade you to at least check it out, here are MY favorite things about the show that I think you might like as well:
- The series is extremely ahead of its time.
Created over 20 years ago, you would expect for the show to feel a little dated. It doesn’t. To me, everything about the show feels almost timeless (except for the fashion in early seasons and the lack of cell phones).
In the opening episode, David (my favorite character), is introduced as a closeted gay man. He is in a relationship with Keith, a Black cop. The series explores David’s struggles to accept his sexuality and being comfortable in an interracial relationship.
I love how the show doesn’t portray Keith and David in the gay man stereotype- something even modern media struggles with. They are not feminine. They are not anyone’s “gay best friend.” They are just David and Keith, and their sexuality is only a small component of their complex characters.
Also, the series explores so many tough topics- death, abortion, hard drug use, and mental health issues (to name a few). Compared to other popular series, Six Feet Under doesn’t use these themes for just for dramatic effect. They use these to develop the characters, and evolve them just as real people grow. The characters don’t forget about the tragedies that happen to them, but instead hold the weight of their decisions and difficulties until the very end.
- The characters are AUTHENTIC.
What I love most about the show is how human the characters are. They are all deeply flawed, and at times slightly annoying and hard to root for (but then again, who isn’t). Throughout the series, we see them tackle difficult yet relatable issues like feelings of inadequacy, discontent, (many) identity crises, and even mental health issues like depression and bipolar disorder. I feel like so many characters in popular series never tap into these serious emotions. Though one may argue that TV is supposed to allow one to escape all that crap, I personally thought it was refreshing to see trials and tribulations in these character’s lives that authentically reflected mine (or people I know).
- The show taught me so much about death.
Like the characters, the concepts of grief and death within the show are always evolving. Six Feet Under shows many different kinds of deaths, funerals, and the grief that comes with it. I had never thought about what we leave behind after death until this show.
I took away so many lessons from Six Feet Under…
Grief isn’t universal. We all die at some point, so make the most of your life right now. Never stop chasing happiness, no matter how old you are. I think I could go on for another 500 words.
- The ending was perfection. Absolute perfection.
Without spoiling it, the ending was perfect. In fact, if you google “best tv show endings,” almost every list you come across will include Six Feet Under. I have never seen a show that left me feeling so content. Every character’s story was wrapped up in an amazing, full circle moment (iykyk). I think I rewatched the last seven minutes about 25 times.
Anyways, if you are looking for a new show to binge, go stream it on HBO Max!