Six Feet Under

[DudeMan]

So, the new season started tonight of one of my favorit-est shows.

Any thoughts on this one?

At the time, I thought the opening scenes were confusing and a little too artsy/cutesy. But then I re-considered later in the show when he was with his new wife and baby, and had deja vu. It sort of struck home that all of our lives can take any one of several different paths at any given time, and he had been viewing a sampling.

I haven't yet gotten my head around that Nate married what's-her-name, the mother of his baby. I am also wondering how they're going to bring Brenda back and what that's going to mean.

So, all in all, I would rate tonight's episode as 'okay'. I will try to cut it some slack because they're trying to set up this year's story-arcs.

[postfeminist]

i thought the show was a disappointment; i wasn't entirely convinced that any of it was happening. i agree about Nate and Lisa; that seemed like a far too-convenient and cheap plot device to get a cool actress on the show more regularly. the stuff with keith and david is sad; i don't like to see all that emotional abuse but i hope they can get it together and work it out. i doubt it though.

i'm glad it's back on though...i just hope it doesn't piss me off as much as last season.

[Mark_A]

I was a little disappointed too.

I realize they are setting up all the new stories for the new season and how they have moved onto new things. But it seemed like not a whole lot happened after that.

Nate is gonna snap living this new comfortable life and Catherine O'Hara is gonna be on the end of it. Man, she was annoying.

As for David, I think it is cool to see how they are focusing on their relationship but it is getting a little tiresome at times. There was more spark when the niece was around and they were struggling on how to raise a kid instead of struggling with each other.

As for Brenda, bring her back quickly.

I liked the Clare storyline though. That was a good development.

[berzerker]

Yay, I'm super glad it's back !!! I bought the first season DVD for my wife for Valentine's daay.

I thought it was interesting how from the beginning with al the random scenes, and not being sure what was going on with Nate to the end how he sort of "synched-up" with his life thru the deja-vu. You know what I mean? He's thinking he's dead, there's all these different paths his life could go down, and at the end, all the deja-vu fits together, and he's just there. Like it all fits together.

Seems like Keith and David are understanding eachother better; but I think that Keith is gonna get hella-pissed at his job, and will blow up at some point.

Clare, I don't know. It wasn't really expected, but I wasn't surprised. I guess coming from an art background myself, I want her to forward with it.

Lisa's boss, boy, Nate won't stand for that shit too long.

[postfeminist]

So is Ruth gonna hook up with her sister's caretaker???

This week was good, but damn, i agree- Catherine O'hara is hellannoying and Nate won't stand for it...besides, lisa is passive agressive as all hell.

i am bored by the david/keith and too liked it with the bratty niece hanging around.

claire could be so much cooler; i get sick of her insecure pathetic schtick... c'mon, she's hot, she's talented, she's wicked cool. get over yourself, hook up with a nice guy instead of some crematory sleazebag.

word.

[DudeMan]

I think they're in need of Brenda to come back and stir the pot up. And maybe her brother Billy too, for good measure. The characters the way they're situated now are locked in a boredom-spiral.

[postfeminist]

word! brenda shows back up...what do you think will come of it?

what's gonna happen with claire and her art teacher? and why is dissing that kid that has the hots for her?!? i'm so sick of her character--i love her one minute and then hate her for being an insecure 19 year old the next!

i still think that ruth is gonna hook up with kathy bates...did you see how she was hugging her around the neck while they were spying on the new intern?

[DudeMan]

It's high time Brenda show up. This season hasn't been as eventful as before, and we need someone to stir up the pot. I wouldn't mind Billy showing up either, 'cause he was a fantastic character.

Yeah, moms is gonna be getting some from Kathy Bates.

The new intern is great. He reminds me of Norman Bates, and if you look at him a little askew he kinda looks like Ozzy's son Jack.

I loved the guy who played the art teacher's friend last episode. That guy is a great character actor & has been in tons and tons of shows. There's a weird vibe from the art teach that I can't quite figure out. Don't know if she'll actually hook up w/him, but I wouldn't be surprised.

And the daughter is blowing off the art-weenie because she only likes bad boys. Put a nice guy in front of her and she gets bored to tears.

My favorite character is probably Nate. I like the way he has slowly grown up over the last couple o years, but he is now feeling trapped and worried that he may not escape his father's fate.

[postfeminist]

Whoa...tonight was nutty.

Do you think Ruth has the hots for Arthur, now that Bettina (Kathy Bates) is outta town? whoa, momma.... the sniffing of his hanky freaked me out.

I don't have much to say about the rest of the episode; all i can think is "please don't let ruth have the hots for intern".... i think he looks like a male christina ricci.

word.

[roqzilla]

I hate to say it, but I don't think it's as good this year so far. Any thoughts?

[DudeMan]

I don't think it's as good this year either. But, I still enjoy it. Needs more Brenda.

PF, Yeah, the smellin 'o the hanky was pretty weird. Since hankerchieves are an old fashioned link to the past, I interpreted it that she was caught in a nostalgic reverie for the past, such as when her husband was alive, she wasn't lonely and alone, etc. I was trying to make out what she was saying as she did this, because she was murmuring something. I don't think there's a Harold and Maude thing going on between Ruth and Norman Bates as much as she is doting on him because she's lonely and misses being a (controlling, prying) mother.

The Nate/Lisa marriage is coming to a head, I think. I have always like Lily Taylor as an actress, but her character annoys the hell out of me. I loved it when Nate killed the snake, stood up on the rock and yelled and tried to get people to go hiking with him. Maybe I just relate to the character, but there is nothing worse than being on a camping trip and wanting to fire up a spleef, and no one else wants to...

The scene with the fat dude falling out of the casket cracked me up.

[postfeminist]

that scene with the snake was awesome; it was the first time nate has done something he wanted to do this whole season.

i think that the season is starting out slow, but i think it's gonna intensify in the next two weeks; or at least i hope so.

[Mark_A]

I am a huge fan but have been disappointed so far.

Until this week, that was the best episode so far. The snake, the rock, the fat guy, Clare hooking up, and the Mom and the strange intern.

Lots of stuff happening, moving at a faster pace and very funny for the most part.

Let's hope its turned a corner.

[postfeminist]

WTF???
Why is Ruth stalking Arthur? What shit is that?
Lili Taylor's character is stone crazy; i can't stand it.
And after seeing the scenes for next week, i swear...i don't know if i can keep watching, cos i'm just getting more and more annoyed.

word up.

[DudeMan]

The season started somewhat slowly, but to me it continues to pick up speed. I was quite please about the fact that Billy made an appearance. Although, I liked the crazy Billie much more than the sedate and sane Billy. But still.

The scene with Ruth singing 'These Are a Few of My Favorite Things' to the accompaniment of the Norman Bates intern dude on the organ was fantastic. The icing on the cake for this scene was the 'WTF' look on Nate's face when he walked in on them. Also, the stalking scene was pretty quality. Watching this guy running made me laugh and then watching her watching him really made me scratch my head. She's pretty f'ed up and is in need of Kathy Bates to return and hang with her. And, I loved the fantasy scene where Norman confronts her about the stalking. I usually pick up the fantasy scenes early-on, but they got me on this one. Oh, and finally, the tape-recorded message to his nephews was quality -- especially the part at the end when he tells them that if they would only get email, it would make it much easier. I love this guy.

I don't particularly like the 'wounded bird' act that brenda is playing, but things are much better now that she's back. I almost feel sorry for Lisa that she's about to get dumped, but not really because she is such an annoying character.

[postfeminist]

i'm speechless about this episode. (sun 4/20)

i read some spoilers on the hbo bulletin boards; let's just say i hope they're true. :)

[berzerker]

Well, postfem, if we ever met, at least we'd be able to talk about TV... :)

Loved the paintball action, and the post-action action with Sarge was funny.
Ruth and Arthur - I wasn't surprised.After she got all emotional over his hankie, that clued me in pretty fast. Not sure about how it ends, but I'm guessing either they get caught, or he freaks out and leaves.
Lisa vs. Brenda - Part II - that should be worth watching. Can't wait to see what they have to say to eachother in private...

[postfeminist]

Norman Bates & Ruth totally grossed me out last night. when olivier asked claire if they were fucking at the opening, i think that i actually gagged.

last night's episode was amazing...what's up with the 3 way gay sex? i thought i had to wait until 10 when i watch Queer As Folk to get that!? :) David didn't look all too happy when their guest was leaving...

...i dunno. this show's killing me still. next week looks crazy.

[DudeMan]

Yeah, I gotta say the Norman Bates/Ruth thing is pretty nasty. His character is most excellent, however, so I can't help but love every scene he's in, even if I have to watch their bed-scene with my hands over my eyes.

Yes, olivier and loser-boyfriend are fvcking, I think. The scene in last week's episode where he acted really weird when Claire came back into the studio was pretty telling. I can't stand that dude's constant moping and self-loathing, but the scene from next week where he tears up the studio looks to be pretty good.

I love Brenda's crazy family. They do such a good job at letting her mom utterly humiliate herself, and so gleefully and un-self-consciously at that. But every time Billy is in a show I miss his crazy side. He's a little bit too mellow these days and needs to stir the pot a little more.

I feel sorry for Lisa, even though I hate her character.

It's been interesting the way they've explored Keith's and David's relationship this season... this skyline 3-way thing they're doing doesn't seem to bode well for their future together.

[postfeminist]

Pleasantly surprised that all of my predictions have been pretty true thus far...last night's show was not nearly as bad as i thought it would be...

what does everyone think is gonna happen to Lisa??

[DudeMan]

I thought last night's episode was really good. The theme was pretty evident -- every single storyline other than Frederico & his wife was about relationships falling apart.

I am leaning toward thinking that Lisa offed herself. She seemed really serene, distant and disconnected when she was leaving and then spoke with Nate while staring at the sea from a cliff..

The only thing that surprised me about Billy trying to get a little something something from his sister was that it took him this long. I was at least glad that she got the hell out of there, because I was a little worried she might go along with it and I might have to gouge my eyes out.

Norman Bates is fantastic. I love this guy. His arranging his socks was the best scene of the show, and I loved his answer to whether he'd had sex or not: "Yes, I think I have, in a way."

It looks like they're setting up Claire's loser boyfriend to do something drastic. He might just become un-hinged.

Also, looks like David & Keith are on the outs. Geez, no one on this whole freaking show can catch a break.

[postfeminist]

yeah, with only a few shows left in the season, i think russell is definitely gonna try to off 'imself...if he will succeed, who knows...but i think he'll at least give it the old college try.

norman bates...ew. alan ball has said he won't do shows on necrophelia, so at least we're safe from that with this guy.

i don't think lisa would kill herself...i just think something f&cked up will have happened to her--maybe a road trip to seattle to get her head together, a car wreck, but i don't think she'd off herself...she's too damn wrapped up in the baby to do that. but i could be wrong...

i'm glad that it doesn't look like ruth & norman bates are gonna do the nasty...i'm ready for them to bring bettina back so she & ruth can get it on. i thought that was a promising storyline--if for no other reason than it's fun to watch ruth shoplift.

i'm tired of the david & keith thing. i want them to break up so David can hook up with that little blonde boy from the gay choir.

[DudeMan]

Wow, this one got pretty intense, especially at the end. The guy who plays Nate is a really good actor, and did a great job portraying a despair and anguish that slowly grew through the episode. Will be interesting to see what happens to Lisa. I will stick with my prediction that she offed herself, but with this show you never know.

The other thing I have to say about this episode is how much I hate Brenda's mom. She has amused me in past episodes with her self-indulgent lunacy, but the way she blithely dumped her husband's ashes off of the balcony really pissed me off.

Looks like only two episodes are left...

[postfeminist]

dude, i totally agree...i hate mrs. chenowith. she's f'ing awful! i couldn't believe that she just dumped her husband off the balcony either.

peter krause (nate) is awesome...i used to watch him on Sports Night...good show.

i don't think lisa killed herself; i think she just got reaaaaaaaaaaaally unlucky.

do you think brenda is taking claire to get an abortion?? will russell kill himself? yikes!

[DudeMan]

Oh yeah, I forgot about Claire getting pregnant...

Yes, I foresee either an abortion or a miscarriage for her. I just don't see a story line about her being a single mom. And Brenda taking her makes a lot of sense. I'm sort of hoping Russell kills himself. His stringy, greasy hair alone makes me want him to do something rash. I wonder if Claire will tell him she's pregnant? I would think not, except if she got pissed for some reason, I could see her doing it.

Yeah, I liked Sports Night too. It was a smart, funny show. Which is why it didn't last, like 99.44% of the other smart shows on network tv.

[postfeminist]

All the good shows get cancelled.

maybe russell will kill himself, which will prompt claire to get an abortion. she doesn't seem the type to want to be a mom anyway; she doesn't even hold her niece & stuff...

[postfeminist]

I had lost count and thought that tonight's episode was the season finale; it wasn't until the ad for June 1st episode that i realized that tonight wasn't it...i was about to be really disappointed.

so what's gonna happen June 1st?


what's up with ruth & george? i'm glad James Cromwell is on the show; i love him...but wow, they're moving fast...when's the other shoe going to drop with that guy?
david & keith...it's about time! i have been rooting for david for quite awhile. i think he deserves to be treated better than keith treats him.
lisa: i think she's totally dead, but i just don't know...what else could be the explanation?
nate: whoa, nelly! what was with sleeping with the executioned dude's daughter? and the way he totally freaked on her? yikes. that guy...i understand that he's beside himself with lisa's disappearance, but shit...cheating, kissing brenda? doesn't seem like behavior for a dude that's missing his wife.
brenda: glad she's back in the picture...but why??
claire: shit, they were pretty graphic on the abortion stuff, but i'm glad that brenda was there for her. i thought we'd hear a little more about russell, but i think that'll come next week when we find out that he's dead. at least that won't shock me...


who knows...what did you think?

[DudeMan]

PF, I agree with your bullet-point summary, which is good 'cause I'm too lazy to write much. Great call on Brenda taking Claire in, btw... you got that one.

Biggest WTF scene in quite some time: when the crazy daughter of the murderer shows him her tattoo of the people going into the pipe, being transformed, and then coming out. That had me really weirded out.

I also thought last night's episode was the last one, and it really could have been if you look at where the stories all ended. But, it also didn't 'feel' like a season finale. And, they have to show what happened to Lisa because it's becoming not so much a cliff-hanger as a drag-on'er.

[postfeminist]

i agree...the lisa thing is getting old...

and that tattoo was REALLY bizarre. i have some tattoos but none of mine are that freaky.

i just don't understand why he hooked up w/ her...

[Big Dog Daddy]

PF gets the award for nailing the Claire thing.

Here are my predictions.

I'm with those that Lisa is dead, I think she offed herself though.

I think Russel does the same thing as Lisa and commits the untimate "artistic expression", as he art teacher would say, and kills himself. After Claire drops the bomb that she had an abortion.

Dave grows some really big brass ones and hold his ground with Keith, Keith goes off the deep end and does something drastic.

Ruth and George work out his issues with the long list of wives and get together.

Ricco gets sick of his wifes sister butting in and kicks her a$$ out of the house. For his and his wifes sanity.

Nate gets closure on Lisa's death and moves on once he knows the answer to what happened.

What are yours.
BDD

[DudeMan]

So another season is now over...

We finally get confirmation that Lisa is dead, but we don't know how she dies! Dammit. Slate (http://slate.msn.com/id/2083828/) today had a good article on the evil villain Lisa and how she's sad to see her go. I agree that she was very well portrayed by Lili Taylor, but I fer one am glad she's gone!

Nate tailspins further into the comforting and comfortable self-destructive streak that he had worked for two seasons to get out of. The scene of him getting beaten up in the bar was pretty darned good, as was when he went off on his new father-in-law. That was good stuff. I will have to remember his great pickup line in the first bar scene. She: "What kind of guy are you then?" He: "I'm the kind of guy who wants to fuck you senseless." Why didn't I ever think of using a line like that??

The best part of the show was how the father appeared for each of the main characters and talked to them about their situations. The scene with Claire visiting the graveyard was probably the freakiest -- seeing Lisa, her aborted baby, and her former boyfriend. When she was talking to him I got this sinking feeling that she is going to start contemplating suicide because they made death sound downright attractive compared to life.

David & Keith: geez, who among us hasn't been in a relationship where you can't quite get it right and yet can't quite let it go. You'd think they ran their course, and yet it looks like they may take another stab at it.

I was sort of thinking that Rico was going to have an affair with his sister-in-law. You know, that whole I-hate-you-so-much-I-wanna-fuck-you sort of thing.

So, not quite the cliff-hanger like last year when Nate was going under the knife, but all in all, it was a good season in which we got to see much more deeply into each of the characters.

Guess it's now time to switch to the Wire on Sunday nights since 6 Feet Under is over.

[postfeminist]

dudeman, ya summed it up pretty well.

i cried when claire saw her aborted baby; i've never had an abortion, but that touched me in a way i can't even explain!

i'm really happy that ruth is happy, and i'm glad creepy ol' arthur made a sad freakish appearance, because i was wondering where he was.

the show was amazing...now we only have to wait a year to find out what happens (i read that the next season starts in June '04)!

i will not be tuning into the wire...folks i know don't like it, and i'm addicted to enough tv...i don't need *another* show!

[Big Dog Daddy]

Good season. PF i hope your wrong on the date that they plan on continuing. A whole year is a long time to wait between seasons. If it is that long they may loose some viewers. I hope not but they may loose some.

BDD

[berzerker]

That's the crap they pull with the Sopranos. It's usually at least 15 months between seasons. And that's the END of one season, and the BEGINNING of the next...

[postfeminist]

Yeah, I read that it'll be next June, either in a magazine or on HBO's website...can't recall.

[DudeMan]

I don't like waiting that long either... but, I'd rather wait 15 months and only get 13 episodes a season of kick-ass television, than get 26 episodes of the mediocre crap that most tv shows offer up, on time, each year.

The Shield, the Sopranos, 6 Feet Under, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Sex & the City, and the Wire are all quality, so I can deal.