A television show about a family living and working in a funeral home. Each episode begins with a characters passing before making their way into the Fishers Funeral Home. A very unique plot to imagine maintaining one’s own life while being surrounded by such darkness would leave one to believe the show is humorless. The direct opposite happens within Six Feet Under. The show not only leaves you laughing but also thinking about many parts of life.
Nate Fisher
Through the passing of time, we all can see a little of ourselves in the oldest Fisher child. A character who’s sometimes wandering nature and the yearning to be free from stressful situations still plays true today. When you think back to Nate’s honesty or rewatch it in present time, it’s refreshing to see actor Peter Krause be funny when times are dark. So many twists and turns that still leave me thinking from my most recent viewing.
David Fisher
David Fisher is just the character that makes Six Feet Under tick in a direction that would be different, if he wasn’t a part of the show. Michael C. Hall channels David’s Neurotic personality that hasn’t aged in the world of excellent television. Sometimes aloof and sometimes trying to lead, watching the personality boil is key. Throughout the show’s five seasons, the amount of unfortunate situations David finds himself in, seems to keep strengthening David’s arc as time moves on.
Claire Fisher
The youngest Fisher child is artistic and sometime thoughtful in the way the character is portrayed. Claire grows right on the screen from episode one all the way down to the final. A strong young adult lead that needs to be shined on. Revisiting Lauren Ambrose’s magic as she guides her life under the roof of the Fisher Funeral Home. Relationships strengthen Claire which is great to still see twenty four years later.
Ruth Fisher
Ruth Fisher’s run as the mother of the family is one of the great mom’s in television history. She is funny in a way I hadn’t seen before or since. Losing your husband in the first episode is going to make for an emotional roller coaster. Frances Conroy’s Heart and Humor is an anchor in grief an guide throughout all the episodes seasons.
Nathanial Fisher
After passing away, Nathanial spends the show talking with his family after his passing in ghost form. A creative decision that pays off over and over. When a character is going through something, having Richard Jenkins give some helpful advice is what I believe we all need. His performance here made me go back and look for other roles I may have missed. Jenkins hits it out of the park with this role!
Keith Charles
Having to be David’s boyfriend is no easy task. Keith does so with grace and charisma and another funny character. I really wish Matthew St. Patrick would be in more roles because he’s great in this one. After all this time, Keith telling David to “calm down” is still hillarious.
Brenda Chenowith
Brenda Brenda Brenda. Probably the least likable character out of them all. But that’s the purpose which is executed to greatness. Rachel Griffiths was meant to play this excellent role. Being Nate’s girlfriend is an adventure in who know’s what she’s going to do next.
Federico Diaz
Excellent in holding the fort down in the Fisher Funeral Home. Rico does a great job in laying the humor out with lot’s of his interaction while working in the funeral home preparing families for the upcoming day. Freddy Rodriguez is the character I payed the most attention this last watch. Lot’s of great interaction outside of the funeral home makes for another great Six Feet Under character.
Arthur Martin
Rainn Wilson guest starring on Six Feet Under was great. Watching his multiple arc as Arthur Martin, one could see the early seeds of Dwight from The Office. His interaction with the Fisher family is priceless. When a performance like this hides in the mid-seasons, this show has the goods.
Russell Corwin
Being a huge Ben Foster fan, it’s not a stretch to just about enjoy any performance of his. Does a great job like Rain Wilson in bringing a character outside of the Fisher home to bring Claire out of her shell or back running into it. Growth in a side character is hard, Russell Corwin is an exception to the rule.
George Sibley
The character outside of the Fisher family that I enjoy the most is James Cromwell’s George Sibley. Cromwell is a great actor in so many roles. Showing up into Ruth’s life and becoming her husband is a wild turn of events. It’s after this when George get’s really wild. He thinks the end of the world is coming, the Fishers don’t share the same vision. Makes for some interesting laughs.
Other Great Characters
Brenda’s brother Billy Chenowith is a great character. Portrays many different aspects of the emotional spectrum. Justina Machado is great as Vanessa Diaz, Rico’s wife. Watching the interaction of their marriage adds more to the side story of Six Feet Under! Patricia Clarkson as Ruth’s Sister Sarah and Kathy Bates as friend Bettina add great light for Ruth’s tunnel.
That show was incredible and probably has one of the best series finale’s in all of television.