Six Feet Under: Season 1

I'm surprised I hadn't thought to write a review for this show yet. It is truly a one of a kind masterpiece that EVERYONE should watch at least once.About 10 years ago, I had a membership to Blockbuster and I had pretty much rented everything there was to see in my local store. I started renting random videos that were not my usual go-to's, and Six Feet Under was one of those shows. I had no idea what it was about, but I remember the ambigious cover art had caught my attention a few times and I decided, hey why the heck not? I'll check it out.And that was the beginning of what felt like a profound journey that opened my eyes to what life is really about. Not that I think I didn't know what life was about already, but most of us are so set in our ways and what we believe is right, that we fail to see the perspective of others. It gave me insight into so many things that we take for granted. All the characters, even the ones you don't like, are extremely relatable. We have all been in one of their situations and can empathize with what the characters are going through or may know someone who is like them. I don't want to babble on and on about how amazing this show is, all I have to say is that you must absolutely give this show an opportunity and keep an open mind and watch it. It is a crazy, spirited,whirlwind of emotions and lessons that anyone can learn a thing or two from. It's like if you died and "life" flashed before your eyes... this show is that.I personally really identified with Claire, as I was about her age when I started watching this the first time. I just rewatched it recently after many years and when I finished watching the ending, I told myself that in another couple of years, I will have to watch this show again. You will just have to see for yourself. There is nothing else out there quite like this show.

I'm constantly in search of brilliant writing, skilled directing, and consummate acting. After I watched "Mad Men" and "Breaking Bad" several times over, after I'd gone through "Firefly" and "Slings and Arrows" (and after I'd tried and rejected "'Supernatural," "The Closer," "Saving Grace," "Orange is the New Black," and some show about birthin' babies), I thought I would never again find a show that would make me look forward to sitting down and watching each and every episode. That would make me feel hooked."Six Feet Under" is that show. It's perfect. The writing is indeed brilliant, and the characters are interesting, well-rounded, and fun to know. Likable or not (and some are decidedly not), each and every character -- from the 60-something Mom to the funeral home's young "restorative artist" -- has a rich inner life and story of his/her own. And there's a delightful twist to SFU: you know how many television shows are designed so that the main characters come in contact with new people/situations each week? The "Star Trek" crew flew to different planets, "The Love Boat" had different ports of call, cop shows have a crime/villain of the week, and so on. Well, every SFU begins with a death, and into each episode is woven the story of the deceased, and we typically get to meet the family members -- whether they're gang-bangers, Japanese monks, or stars in the porn industry.About which: SFU features the "F" word about a jillion times, and also nudity, and sex, sex, sex. (Sometimes I refer to it as "Sex Feet Under.") If you're squeamish about these things, it would be a shame because you'll miss a gem of a show. Quirky, offbeat, funny, heart-wrenching, unflinching, original and, as previously mentioned, brilliant. If you have a deep appreciation for the absurd done to perfection, you'll love this show as much as I do.

Great fast transaction. Sharp sound. Love the series.

This series gets deeper and deeper with each episode. I was not hooked until the 3rd one, and none of the subsequent episodes have disappointed. It is the story of several complicated people who happen to be related to one another (mostly) and who are engaged in a very complex enterprise, the funeral business. Each episode begins with a death, usually something tragic and/or bizarre. And that story is cleverly woven into the lives of the main characters. The inclusion of the ghost of the recently deceased funeral director into the private moments of his family members is one of the best elements of the show. I am nearly through the first season and care so much about them all. I so much want David to get back together with Keith. I love Claire and her adolescent intensities. I agonize along with Brenda and Nate as they love and hate. I want the unlikable Ruth to be happier and am pretty sure she never will be. And, of course, I want Rico to stay with the family. He is the sanest person in the whole crazy place. The opening music with the suggestion of the bell tolling for thee is now burned into my brain. The best series theme I can recall. And the acting. It is extraordinary and I am sure I will watch this again just to get more of it. I hope all the people involved in making this show realize what a great job they did.