It’s been over a decade since Six Feet Under debuted, but this unconventional dark family dramedy filled with incredibly complex characters still stands up remarkably well. Though it’s hard to narrow it down to ten, here’s what we mourn for most:
10. Richard Jenkins
Even though Nathaniel Samuel Fisher Sr (1943-2000) is killed within the first minute of the series, his ghostly presence is never far from our minds. There are a few moments where we actually see flashbacks to Nathaniel as he was in life, but most of his interactions are when his presence creeps inside the Fishers’ heads, often exposing the fears they’re too restrained to admit out loud. Not knowing much about the Fisher patriarch lets us feel as though we missed out on the chance to really get to know the guy, not unlike when Nate Jr discovers that his father sometimes traded funeral arrangements for oil changes, monthly stashes of pot, or even a small room above an Indian restaurant. Who was this guy?
But Nathaniel Fisher would not be anything without Richard Jenkins, who plays the role so seemingly effortlessly, one may even think he really is some sort of omniscient tell-all of life and death. He can shift between laughing uproariously at the trivial moments of life that he’s escaped, gaze into the darkest secrets of the family he’s left behind, and spout important pieces of wisdom to uphold:
“No, time flies when you’re pretending to have fun. Time flies when you’re pretending to love Brenda and that baby she wants so much. Time flies when you’re pretending to know what people mean when they say ‘love.’ Face it, buddy boy, there’s two kinds of people in the world: there’s you, and there’s everybody else, and never the twain shall meet” (Time Flies, 5.04).
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5 Comments
I personally couldn’t stand Six Feet Under, the characters are the most annoying group of people in a TV series I have ever witnessed. I know they’re meant to be flawed etc. but I found them so damn annoying it was off putting. Great ideas, terrible characters.
I understand some people’s objections to Six Feet Under; that its characters were annoying or the show was too boring — it’s not everyone’s cup of tea. But for those of us that did watch the show, that found the characters just as easy to relate with as you describe, that were fascinated by such a unique and original series which was truly unlike any other, Six Feet Under was a monumental force of art. I was hooked on the show from its pilot when I was hardly 15 years old and it helped open my eyes to so much in life that ended up becoming that which I live for. Its masterful and honest examination of what it means to attempt a meaningful existence amid so much apparent chaos still to this day reminds me that everything will work out when I’m convinced it won’t. And on a less personal note, it’s just such good television! Anyone who knows TV and respects it as an art form recognizes the brilliance Six Feet Under demonstrated, even when it was flawed. Anyway, I could ramble more but let me just say what a pleasure it was to read this article as a die hard fan of the show who regularly rises to defend its honor. Really great list, well done.
I don’t understand how anyone could have seen all of the characters as that annoying.. sure, they weren’t perfect, but they represented the multifaceted personalities we all have, despite what we may like to believe.
Personally, I went through a phase with each of them where I disliked them at first, but eventually grew to love them in spite of their flaws and shortcomings. I think Six Feet Under brilliantly depicted the way life works, and how it can end when you least expect it. I don’t think any show will ever top it.
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts, guys. I agree, it certainly isn’t a show for everyone. Between its subject content and its sometimes irritable characters, it can be a lot most people may not want to digest. What I liked about them being so frustrating was how it really connected with minor idiosyncrasies we all have. I personally often feel as though I can identify with various quirks or specific nuances from every character (some, more than others, of course). I found that I cared for all of them so much, that when they annoyed me, it was because I was frustrated they were making certain decisions, and wanted the best for them. It’s remarkable how much they can both irritate you for falling back into old habits, or surprise you by their own differing forms of maturation.
I think a major factor of what makes these characters so real — and at that, frustrating or lovable — was the sheer notion of how vulnerable they all were. One such case: I was often surprised by the amount of infidelity in every relationship. Though it’s easy to disregard it as subject for juicy drama, these missteps always felt within reason of the characters as people. It certainly opened my eyes when I first watched and made me even wonder if that just happens more often with long-running adult relationships.
It’s amazing how radical the change of feelings I had towards certain people became. My initial irritation towards Rico was later shifted to the burdens put on his wife, and then siphoned from Vanessa to her sister. My reversal of resentment to admiration with Brenda — circa her season two downward spiral to season three redemption — was the strongest change of heart I’ve ever had with a televised character (though Jack from Lost closely follows behind).
And while watching the series now, I was shocked to notice how simply young Claire was and acted, most notably when she was still a high schooler. When I watched the series two years ago, younger Claire felt much more relatable and understandable, when viewed through my then-nineteen year old eyes. I’m not even pretending to have become worldly or some sage wizard in those two years, by simply growing a bit older, those early seasons really reflect the attitude and mentality of a child. And rightfully so! The show starts out when she still is! I can only anticipate watching the series again, with much older eyes down the road.
One of the very few television shows that stick with me like a good book.
I didn’t like every character or characters actions, but that’s why the show was so good. It was done in a way that pulled that reaction out of me. It made it easy to believe you were there and hoped the best for the Fisher family and friends. I miss that show.