Pilot

This Pilot episode pretty much has it all. It has a clear inciting incident that will serve to be the drive for the series, and that is, the death of the father. This serves to bring up all of these characters in full view and all have their own, distinct characteristics. In particular, Frances Conroy and Michael C Hall stand out as the best in this episode. I've known about this show for quite some time, but I can't believe I took so long to give it a try. I can't wait to see how the series develops from here, and can't wait to see what its described by many as the "greatest series finale ever made". I'm excited, this is definitely recommended.

This is how they used to make TV series. Solid. Well written. Tight. Entertaining and meaningful.

Yes, it took me a while to watch it (20 years?) but what a ride!

The classic "inciting incident" is a precise crash that send the father of 3 to a better life.

Who's gonna take care of the family business? I.e. A funeral home?

How we start to understand the different traits of the family members (wife, old brother, middle brother, younger sister) is so smooth and well put together, that I found myself laughing and crying at the same time.

This is a masterclass in brewing conflicts (hard work vs creativity, humanity vs business, virtues vs vices etc), setting expectations, presenting secondary characters and locations. Love it. There are several people who take the spotlight here and there and the pacing is just right.

The touch with the deceased father appearing here and there to give his family a hard time is gold. The tv commercials about a funeral home products are fairly dated and cheesy, and they dont work that well as transitions between scenes, but anyway.

I haven't really watched many T.V. shows and the ones that I have watched have been anthologies, sketch comedies, sitcoms, or just really short, but after loving both series of "Twin Peaks" and now having nothing left to watch after the season three finale, I decided to finally begin exploring the acclaimed dramedy "Six Feet Under", which has been one my watchlist for quite some time.

The series was created by Alan Ball, who also wrote the screenplay for "American Beauty", which continues to be one of my all time favorite films, no matter how many times I see it. Based on the first episode alone, this series seems to have quite a few similarities with "American Beauty" including a powerful examination of themes of life, love, loneliness, death, secrets, etc., as well as a brilliantly black sense of humor and the occasional satirical wink. Also like "American Beauty", many scenes in this pilot episode are simultaneously sad and funny, which is something I am always impressed heavily by whenever it is done right, and I think that it is pulled off even better and more noticeably here than it is in "Beauty".

It's a very engaging watch for the first time viewer. Right away, we are faced with a hectic situation and are introduced to the cast of complicated and dysfunctional characters in a way that really entertained me while also being genuinely and heavily emotional throughout. I both laughed out loud and cried over the course of this over sixty hour long show's first hour, which is quite impressive and has me hyped for more!

Remnants of the Fischer family try and fail to piece themselves together for the holidays after a death in the family. Via Hyperlink Cinema fashion our characters all collide into each others lives with less than mixed results. Just love seeing well defined characters from word go and there's no hesitancy in its dark comedy/drama lambasting of "inhuman" grieving. Six Feet Under lasts an hour but the brakes never falter as there's a persistent need of movement. Our dysfunctional four (Claire, Nate, Dave, Ruth) are in coping mode and we're privy to see how it progresses. Lows are unwelcome glimpses of 2000's overacting, and the clunky fake ad fillers but otherwise a mighty fine pilot.

Without a doubt one of the best pilots I have ever seen. The hour makes you laugh and also reflect on the dilemmas of each character. I am hooked from the beginning, I really have to commend the writing and acting. In terms of visuals, many of the scenes arise through rich compositions, which I am sure will be improved upon over next episodes. I'm just so surprised that this is a great pilot.