Six Feet Under Season 5 - Page 7

I have question about what happen with Ruth and Hiram(?). In "Singing for Our Lives" I would have thought that they umm... had relationes since she invited them to stay the night and he did cook pancakes the next morning. So why did she start acting funny when they went camping?

BTW I love her quotes "I'm not a receptacle" "Your needs are not my responsiblity."

I bet she'd feel a bit differently if a man told her her needs were not his responsibility. I couldn't imagine saying to someone I care about that their needs are not my responsibility. I do feel a responsibility to the people I care about. Will I let their needs supercede my own? Maybe sometimes, maybe not sometimes.

Anyway, regardless of if Ruth and Hiram were intimate or not, once intimate doesn't mean you assume the position when called on. She started acting funny because Hiram assumed a seriousness and level of commitment on her part that wasn't there.

nah, i think she started acting funny cuz hiram was being a horndog...

Well, I finally got around to watching these last 2 episodes, and was certainly glad to not have them spoiled.

I was a little bored with Claire and the new beau, but their political differences became a sounding board for whether or not there was something deeper in terms of their personal world outlook, and value system. Whether they stay on course for a deeper relationship is up not to their political differences, but whether they truly understand one another, and accept their strengths and differences while also sharing common goals that include room for personal growth as time marches on.

Nate, as a flawed character, endured quite a journey these past 5 years. Coming out of his coma, he seized upon that old adage of "time is short" and dealt with as much of his personal happiness as possible after waking up. I think his talk with Brenda signified his growth to a level where he finally knew it was time to let go, and became open to the possibility of a new life of happiness with Maggie. Of course, this leaves a wake of family issues (Maya and the daughter Brenda is carrying) that Nate will never get a chance to deal with, but saying his peace, his intentions were known and as painful as his declaration was to Brenda, he knew letting go of his marriage was the right thing for both of them in the long run. For Nate, there was little value in staying married for the sake of the children if it meant dying a little more each and every day by staying married to someone who is diametrically opposed to him in spirit and world view.

Another hallmark of 6FU is how it portrays the value of marriage, and the impact it has on marriages that might have gone on too long (Ruth's marriage is the prime example, marrying young, but suffering quite a bit on personal growth for the sake of raising their 3 children with Nathaniel, and after she is widow, she spend a lot of time re-learning sides of herself that she left dormant for over 30 years during her marriage). And having Ruth and George rush into marriage, and showing us how marriage isn't something to be rushed into without truly finding a rock-solid bit of common ground and understanding, life in a marriage where there isn't enough revelation of oneself or the other person is a life that also brings on death a little sooner each and everyday the "relationship" continues to exist.

Rico and Vanessa finally come to terms with the hurt of infidelity, and the love that exists in spite of infidelity, but wanting that love while also wanting to protect oneself is not something that can co-exist in a committed long-term relationship without coming to terms with the feelings of infidelity and issues of emotional abandonment suffered by Vanessa.

3-4 years ago, Nate does the "right" thing in marrying Lisa, but in time the value of doing the "right" thing isn't enough to stoke the fires of a committed relationship, even during a year where Nate had no idea what happened to Lisa, but was able to put all those second-guesses away and move on. Having given up on his previous relationship with Brenda in order to marry Lisa, and then getting a second chance to re-connect with Brenda, even those initial smatterings of pure physical attraction and the yin-yang game of opposites attracting is put to the test, but in the end, that marriage had too many opposing views to endure, in spite of Brenda's pregnancy, and Nate was finally able to separate marriage from fatherhood, and made the best possible decision for his future family situation, even though Brenda's world was rocked, but I think deep down, she knows their marriage would not have endured in the long run given their divergent paths at this point in time, and because of their own personal baggage.

Interestingly enough, I think deep down, David and Keith do know what the other one is all about, and in spite of their differences, their relationship, even with all the bumps in the road, has endured quite a while, and I wouldn't foresee them not being able to overcome future obstacles in their relationship. The stress of being new parents is a good test for them as a couple, and I think they are in good position to resolve tough situations as their arise, even though it will highlight differences in their outlook, they know what is important (even in cases of infidelity, they've found ways to stay together for the right reason, and not split up for the reasons).

What any of these storylines is trying to say about committed relationship is up to the viewer, but as an examination of the cycle of life and death (with the funeral home business as a backdrop) of the relational aspect of each person who moves through life on this earth, this show has poses many situations, and allowing flawed people to make their decisions, impulsive or otherwise, and letting the viewers see the consequences of those decisions, and takes us on a similar journey of discovering yourself in various pieces from the multiple storylines that run through the television tapestry known as "Six Feet Under".

OMG that was so fucking sad.

Concur, I am not embarrassed to say I shed a tear or two, excellent episode. Again I say, I will miss this show!

very sad indeed. seeing brenda lose it at the end was rough.

It really going to be tough to see this show end. For me it will be the first show that I've watch religiously come to an end. I never watched Friends and most of the other sitcoms have ended with the generic main character turning off the light in the now empty house. Or the show ends with a some cliff hanger and got the ax before the next season. Because SFU is such a character driven show I imagine that knowing this show will end forever will be much more sad for me, than The Sopranos or The Shield.

marque d: On that note I too am happy that they decided not to leave Nate's death AND funeral for the last episode, that would have been too easy of an out.

If you really listen to what the characters say in these "encounters" it's clear they are inner conflicts. Lisa's talk with Brenda in the premiere was about Brenda's fear that she wouldn't live up to the housewife happy little family role. David's last night with Nate Sr. was clearly his own feelings. Especially the whole "Claire was always my favorite" or whatever... David's response was perfect "You barely knew Claire..."

I'd say the only one that's up for interpretation is the final scene in season 1 when Nate Sr. wanders up the stairs of Fisher & Sons... if only because nobody is interacting with him directly or seems to notice he's there.

I thought it was perfect for the flow of the series to deal with Nate's death around the time they chose to do it as well.

It's also very fitting, character-wise. So many people's idea to end the series with Ruth's death in the finale made me think about the series and how it isn't really the average drama or sitcom. This show is about the characters. If the final scene was the 3 remaining fishers standing over Ruth's monument next to Nate Sr. I would have been let-down. Nate just faced his greatest fear, and he appeared ready for it. And now Claire, David, Ruth, and everyone else are going to have to have to see how strong they really have become over these last few years in order to get over it.

It's definitely a stark contract to the pilot. Remember how distanced and cold the family was at that time? We really see how much change Nate Sr.'s death brought onto the family.

Not to mention yet another comparison between both Nates. Their deaths might both bring the remaining Fisher's closer.

I thought this episode was fantastic cause it was true, when people die it just sucks and there's no reasonable explanation why they are gone and you have to move on. I loved when the reverend spoke to Ruth. The boys dowloading some smooth jazz for David on their new ipods.

i thought the best scene was when brenda came home to (what she thought) was an empty and dark house. that *really* hit home with me as it was exactly what i went through when my mom passed away. it's a very cold and lonely feeling.

nice to see the the boys behave for once ... and even be caring.

what was up with david seeing that guy who kidnapped him? was that supposed to remind david of his own mortality?

not even surprised that keith's boss videotaped them having sex. and, to hear them arguing in the background at the end ... too funny.

nice to see claire, at the last minute, help lift nate's body into the ground. i think that was, in her own way, closure for her.

didn't we see brenda drive off once before ... in the same red vw?

Didn't Claire say you win, in response to David giving her %#*$ for not dressing up. I think that was the only time I laugh the whole episode.

That WAS one of the only laughs.

What a brutal episode. The scene of Ruth joining David to wash Nate's body...so painful.

I think Brenda nails Nate again when she goes off on Maggie. "It could have been anyone." So true. Unfortunately, she is now going to revert to her selfish ways - dropping Maya off at Grandma's (though, next weeks preview seems she is getting over it quickly).

I think Ruth is finally realizing George was not that bad. We all take the good with the bad, and I predict she will get over her spell of selfishness and get back together with George.

I guess the reason David is regressing to his paranoid fears is because of the insecurity caused by losing his big brother, and another death so close to him.

I guess Ball will be writing/directing the final episode, and the rumors are rampant that:

Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show)

David's speech about Nate protecting him from bully's alluded to that.

It's also fully possible for a recent trauma to bring back memories of traumatic events in the past.

Agreed. The weird thing was her flashback of Nate. First of all, it's the only flashback I recall in the episode (I need to watch again to confirm) - drawing attention to it.

And, as a scene that draws a lot of attention, I was fascinated that it, once again, painted Nate in unflattering light. First of all, he introduced drugs to his little sister. An unfortunate and terribly self-centered action on his part. Secondly, his maudlin theatrics over the death of Cobain (and then, the sappy poem). I had to laugh. I know he was always a 'flower-child' type, but that was so over-the-top hilarious.

Yeah, and in case anyone didn't catch it, Keith quit. I only bring this up because a co-worker of mine said they didn't hear that part.

That was strongly hinted at in the previous episode during Ruth's conversation (through a translator) with the Chinese matriarch in the bus that brought her back from camping with Hiram.

M.

I didn't either! Thanks!!

The Flashback was intended to show you that Claire was able to think of an event when she and Nate bonded over something. She said earlier in the episode she could only think of fights they'd had.

Speaking of, we all got so into Nate's story I'm surprised nobody mentioned the hilarity of Ruth shooting down all her past lovers with the gun. That had me rolling. Part of me also expected her to almost get mauled by the mountain lion from the beginning of the episode.

the part with ruth shooting her lovers didn't really work for me. i found it too corny.

oh ... except for arthur's line. something about "i love you ... let's butt heads!"

Saying Curt was 'too pure for this world' is proof positive that the writers hated Nate as much as the audience. Whatta poosy.

i dunno ... for some reason curt's death was such a big freakin' deal to a lot of people. i didn't see it ... but i sure know a lot of friends who did.

This is Ruth, not Kim.


The people of SFU just aren't simple. Sure one can say, "How selfish of her to just drop the kid off!" And you'd be right from one perspective. But, I could come back with, "How selfless of her to realize her limitations and find a safe environment for the child since she knew she wasn't providing it."


Viewers can have short memories. We've seen George basically normal recently. That does not erase the seriousness of what we saw before, which is a man who wanted to live in a Bomb Shelter in the basement. Good and bad? Sure. Maybe the writers will lead us to say he isn't so bad, but that's a bit of a different direction than what Ruth was presented with previously.

Oh...I agree. I'm just implying that she is running inward. I think the things you point out will come to the fore next week when she comes to get Maya.



I don't have a short memory. But, the guy is recovering and on meds. Will he ever be completely well? No. Will he always need some form of caretaking? Yes. But, Ruth is beginning to realize that giving that kind of care may be an okay way to live. Ruth didn't leave the guy who was living in the bomb shelter. She left the guy who was ok some of the time, not ok some of the time because she didn't want the burden of caring for him.

Kurt.

Absolutely heartbreaking episode.

Definitely, but Nate sure did get her back there at the end of the episode. What Nate said was totally true. This was one of the best scenes so far this season. Rachel Griffith's performance was perfect, and as Patrick said, heartbreaking. Especially her reaction to Nate saying how she yelled at Maya. "I didn't mean to yell..." For all of her faults I still feel so incredibly sorry for he, as it is with a lot of these characters.


As Mikah already said, I don't really see this a selfish act. Plus, I think Maya might be good for Ruth to have around. At least, Warning: Spoiler! (Click to show) George is, apparently, not crazy anymore, as shown by how... insightful he was on this episode, especially at the funeral. If there was one thing that rubbed me the wrong way about the funeral scene it was George making that speech about Nate, acting almost as if he knew Nate his whole life. And also, what he said was just so damn TRUE, such a great observation of Nate's character, and something that the viewer should have understood on their own instead of the writer's TELLING us. George just seemed the wrong character to make that speech, if it even should have been made. I'm surprised Ruth didn't call him out on it at the funeral. Maybe she just didn't to make a big scene at her son's funeral.

Anyway, gadzooks, what a fabulous episode that had me in tears numerous times. I could talk about every scene at length, because every scene wass golden, as has been the trend lately with this show. It will be sad to see it go.

Watching David in this episode brought me to tears. He not only lost a brother, but also a bit of his security blanket, and his world got a little scarier, plus his pain was just heartwrenching and sad. I haven't been moved by a death in the family in this manner in pretty much any other show I've watch for any relevant duration. Michael C. Hall should send this episode in for Emmy consideration.

As should Frances Conroy. Her work this episode was equally impressive.

- Steve