25 Years Later, HBO’s Greatest Opening Scene Is Still Just As Shocking

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HBO is known for producing some of the best TV shows ever made, and many of them immediately grab your attention with incredible opening scenes. However, one truly exceptional show stands out, beginning with a twist so shocking that it remains unmatched, even 25 years later.

Most family TV shows wouldn’t dream of killing off their main father figure so early – especially not in the very first scene! But Six Feet Under wasn’t a typical family show. The beginning of this acclaimed five-season HBO series is considered one of the best opening scenes ever, largely because it’s so surprising and bold.

Six Feet Under is a remarkable comedy-drama that explores life through the unique lens of a family running a funeral home. It’s a deeply human and often darkly funny show that stays with you long after you’ve seen it, starting with a memorable and impactful death in the very first episode, which sets the stage for everything to come.

HBO’s Six Feet Under Is 25 Years Old This Month

Few HBO dramas have held up over time as well as Six Feet Under. It’s remarkable how popular the show remains, considering its difficult topic. Dealing with death on television is always tricky, and many shows have failed when trying to write off important characters.

Despite dealing with heartbreaking family tragedies, Six Feet Under manages to be both deeply sensitive and surprisingly funny. The writing is so skillful that these contrasting tones blend seamlessly, mirroring the complexities of real life.

Throughout its five seasons, Six Feet Under often moved viewers to both laughter and tears within the same scene. The show brilliantly balanced humor and the difficult topic of death, a skill immediately evident in its very first scene, which premiered on HBO on June 3, 2001 – almost 25 years ago.

Six Feet Under Features HBO’s Greatest Opening Scene

Most stories begin after someone dies, but rarely is the deceased a main character. However, Six Feet Under is arguably HBO’s most daring series, and it immediately establishes this with an opening scene that surpasses those of other shows.

The opening of this show is more original and impactful than even acclaimed series like The Sopranos or The Wire. After a funny parody of the advertising world, the pilot episode takes a sharp turn, showing the moment Nathaniel Fisher Sr. dies.

The owner of Fisher & Sons Funeral Home was driving a hearse, having recently ended a phone call with his wife. As he reached for a cigarette, a bus collided with his side of the vehicle at an intersection.

The scene shifts back to the family kitchen, where his wife wonders if he’s having a midlife crisis, and his son complains about crashing their newly bought hearse. The contrast between what they say and what the audience knows highlights just how shocking the recent events truly are.

The very beginning of this show was groundbreaking for television, heavily influencing many successful series that followed, including Lost and The Good Place. HBO hasn’t launched a show with such a strong start since.

Nathaniel Fisher Sr.’s Death Is Still Just As Shocking Today

Many people consider the finale of Six Feet Under to be one of the greatest series endings ever, but the show’s incredible opening scene is often overlooked. Even now, the death of Nathaniel Fisher Sr. remains a shocking moment for first-time viewers, just as it was when the show originally aired in June 2001.

Even people who have seen the episode before are still surprised by the unexpected sight of a bus driving by in the window of Nate Sr.’s hearse. Six Feet Under continues to deeply affect viewers, evoking strong emotions like few other shows on HBO.

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2026-06-01 04:48