I have said it many times. HBO’s Six Feet Under is the greatest show ever.

I’m hoping in this series to get into more specifics of why I feel this way. But for now, I will say this. I have rewatched this show many times. I especially enjoy rewatching it with people who have never seen it before and rediscovering through them what makes this show so special.

This particular rewatch is a special one, however, and it’s particularly personal. I watched this show with my brother when he was sick. I have have not watched this show since my brother’s death near the end of 2017. Now, as I’m coming up on the 2 year anniversary of his death, I’ve found myself longing to return to the show that gave me so much clarity and understanding about life and death. It’s just an HBO show. That probably sounds like hyperbole. But it isn’t.

Even more importantly, I am watching this show with my father, who has never seen it before. So as I rewatch this show with the loss of my brother heavy in my heart, I will be discussing the show with my father Charles Martin here in these blogs. We will probably get personal about our feelings about loss because this show feels personal.

For this first blog, we’re looking at the first half of Season 1: episodes 1 through 6. There will be no spoilers for what happens beyond those episodes if you decide to watch with us.

Emily: So I’ve been very loud and proud about how much I love this show. It’s my favorite show of all time. With that being said, I’m still open to look at this show with a critical eye. There is going to be a lot of things I want to say about what’s working in this show. But there’s a lot they’re still figuring out in these first few episodes. What wasn’t working for you yet?

Charlie: I’m pretty forgiving of beginning episodes of a new series. Hey, I stuck with Riverdale for the first season plus one episode of season two before I finally gave up- just kept getting worse. The commercials in the pilot were off putting, just a device that didn’t accomplish much. Claire driving a big hearse is a little too on the nose. But those are just being picky. It’s hard to say there’s anything that’s not working because with each of the five episodes that followed the pilot the show kept getting better. I was glad they got rid of the corporation trying to buy out Fisher & Sons. That could have eaten up a lot of the show and it wasn’t particularly interesting. 

Emily: Yeah, I too am not interested in the big evil corporation angle. It’s too overdone, and there’s really no interesting way to cover that plot. It doesn’t really add much to the family story either, which is what we’re really here to watch. Their business is just a vehicle for them to deal with their own issues (or not deal). Well… I don’t want to say “just” a vehicle. It’s important. But still. I wasn’t a fan of the commercials either. They’re cringey, and even though this show has a sort of comedy undercurrent, the commercials don’t really fit the voice of the show. But you’re right, I think in pilots, shows are still finding their voice. And with good shows, hopefully that voice strengthens with time rather than getting weaker as the show goes on. And since this is a good show… What are you appreciating the most about the show at this point?

Charlie: The way the show treats broken people with kindness. And I think everyone, except maybe Rico, is pretty damaged. So very quickly you’re caring a lot for them. I loved episode 5 (An Open Book)- Ruth trying to get closer to Claire, the failed movie night, escaping from the cousins to avoid mother-daughter spin class, and Claire reaching out to Ruth to maybe go see a movie. I’m also interested in the way the show explores death and our reactions to death, including those of the departed. I don’t think it’s staking out any position other than, “it’s complicated.” I think this was especially true in Episode 4, Familia, my favorite so far. Paco, his family, the gang member, Paco’s advice for David. 

Emily: I really feel for David here in the beginning of the series, probably because he’s not allowing himself to FEEL anything. That to me was one of the strengths of the “Familia” episode. You got into David’s head a little bit more. You and I talked a little bit about our favorite characters, and I think for me, as I watch the show, my favorite character changes depending on what they’re going through. Because all of the characters are interesting, and I enjoy them all. But as for right now, what characters are you enjoying the most, and why?

Charlie: Rico, because he provides some balance to the brokenness that’s the Fishers and is an interesting point of connection for David and Nate. He’s grounded, but not too much. I also like the relationship between Nate and his father and appreciate Nate’s struggle to figure things out. The Room focused on what his father thought about him leaving home, whether that’s what he was most proud of him doing and if so then why did he drag him back into the family business. 

Emily: I love Rico. He gets a little bit more complicated and maybe “broken” as the show goes on, but I do agree that “grounded” is a good word to describe him. I know I told you my favorite character is probably Claire. I just identify with her because we were the same age throughout the series. We can get more into her growth later when the show continues, but for right now, I love her vulnerability. I find the vulnerability of all of the characters really beautiful, and really brave on the part of the actors and writers. All of these characters are flawed, and that’s what makes me adore them so much. But yes, I really like “The Room” because of that exploration of the relationship between Nate Sr. and Nate Jr. for sure. Right now we’re talking about the first six episodes of the first season. What have been the standout storylines to you so far? What episode has been the strongest?

Charlie: When we first talked I thought Familia was my favorite, and on the whole I think it still is. But now I realize there are parts of the others that I really appreciate. Claire and Ruth in Open Book. Nate and his father in The Room. Ruth and what to do with the rest of her life and does she deserve to be happy. Oddly, the storyline I’m least interested in is Nate and Brenda. 

Emily: I can understand that. Nate and Brenda are sort of the “romantic leads” of the show. Of course there are other romances throughout the series, but they’re a central romantic storyline. So there are certain expectations for that that do make their storylines probably a little bit more predictable and a little less interesting. I do really love Brenda, though. I can’t really speak to this, because I have seen the show before, but I wanted to ask you. At this point in the story, what are your expectations for the remainder of the season? What are you hoping will happen for these characters?

Charlie: First, I hope the deaths at the intros don’t turn into a freak show where they try to outdo the one before. I guess I should trust the writers based on how they handled the guy in the dough mixer. Just not sure how they’ll keep it up over five seasons. I expect to find out more about Brenda’s childhood and her tattoo. I hope we can get that mystery out the way soon and can wave bye bye to her parents. Something’s gonna happen with Deacon David and his conservative congregation. I’m hoping Claire will ditch the Harold and Maude mobile and that she and Nate will begin to figure out their relationship. And I hope that none of it happens too quickly cause this is such a good ride… just not in the green hearse. 

Emily: Well, I hate to burst your bubble, but I don’t think that green hearse is going anywhere anytime soon. Hopefully you can hang anyway.

Our next Six Feet Under blog will be the second half of Season 1, and perhaps I’ll come up with a flashier name for it. We shall see. See you then!