25 Years Later, This Is Still HBO’s Most Ambitious Show

by

HBO initially made a name for itself by pushing boundaries with bold and provocative shows. Programs like those focusing on prison life, women’s relationships, and a mobster in therapy were groundbreaking for their time. However, perhaps the most innovative series was Six Feet Under, a unique show centered around a family who ran a funeral home.

Unlike shows like Oz, Sex and the City, and The Sopranos that generated a lot of hype, Six Feet Under quietly built its success. It didn’t rely on famous actors – instead, it launched the careers of Peter Krause, Michael C. Hall, and Frances Conroy. The show trusted its unique characters and atmosphere, and that gamble paid off, culminating in a series finale often hailed as the greatest ever.

Six Feet Under Is A Hopeful Show About Death

The TV show Six Feet Under doesn’t shy away from the painful emotions surrounding death, and it’s full of sadness as a result. From the very beginning, with the sudden death of the Fisher family’s father, the show fully explores grief. When the family’s son, Nate, comes home, he allows his mother, Ruth, to openly express her sorrow – even the messy, uncomfortable parts like screaming and falling apart.

There’s a surprising sense of liberation in how the show fully accepts death. In the end, Six Feet Under is a celebration of life. While the Fisher family – including the reserved Ruth, the secretive David, and the conflicted Claire – often feels sad and gloomy, the show consistently encourages them to make the most of their lives and find happiness.

Six Feet Under Is A Procedural… Sort Of

The very first episode of Six Feet Under begins with a death, and this becomes a pattern for the entire series – each episode starts with the Fisher family dealing with a new loss. While this creates a consistent structure, the show is much more complex and surprising than typical crime or medical dramas that focus on a ‘case of the week’.

Although the show follows a fairly standard television format, Six Feet Under is really a deep dive into the lives of its characters. The Fisher family is central to the story, and their experiences change significantly over the course of the series—you definitely need to watch the episodes in order to fully understand what’s happening, unlike with many other crime or medical dramas.

Is Six Feet Under A Ghost Story Or A Display Of Surrealism?

The show presents a fascinating and unusual premise. It’s a crime procedural focused on characters, but with a supernatural twist: as the Fisher brothers prepare bodies for funerals, the deceased often appear and talk to them about their own unfinished business and current problems, adding a deeply personal and unexpected layer to each case.

The Fishers are plagued by visions no one else can see, leaving them to wonder if they’re truly haunted by spirits connected to their past work, or if these appearances are simply a reflection of Nate and David’s own thoughts and feelings. Their father, Nathaniel, who has passed away, continues to appear to them, often in dreams or brief glimpses. These experiences have a lasting impact on the characters, hinting that something outside themselves might be at play.

What truly sets this series apart is its ambiguity, which challenges viewers to draw their own conclusions and be comfortable with unanswered questions. This unique quality solidifies Six Feet Under as a landmark achievement in HBO’s history.

Read More

2026-01-31 21:38