Six Feet Under (TV Series) Knock, Knock (2001) User Reviews

Six Feet of Settling In

[matthewjmiles · 10/10 · 29 April 2018]

The first season of Six Feet Under concludes in the light of the death of the ever-irritating Tracy's aunt, with each protagonist involved in a subplot that is unquestionably important to them: Nate and Brenda begin to discuss marriage, and their own mortality is threatened, David faces yet another obstacle challenging his sexuality, Claire pulls an typical teenager's move and sneaks away to a party and Ruth takes strides in deciding what she wants and who she wants to be with in her life.

This is my first watch of the series, so I am still discovering the unique qualities that it has to offer, but I feel that it was this episode that solidified an attachment between myself and each of the characters. I could use just one word to define each of them as Ball has created them - 'human'. We have already had the privilege, in these thirteen episodes alone, to experience multiple facets of each of the main and even some of the supporting characters, with some of the facets being particularly unflattering. I think this is where Six Feet Under grabs you, unlike other shows, and forces you to watch, not because it is enjoyable, but because it is part of life. This is Billy's mental illness, every argument between Nate and Brenda, and especially Tracy - until now the 'comedy relief' and essentially a straight woman to fancy David - and her heart-rending breakdown towards the end of this episode. As I sat transfixed, with Nate delivering a poignant message about life, I realised that this episode, this season, and indeed this whole show is something special. Through the good and the bad, both of which abound in this episode, with moments that will make you both grin in pleasure and widen your eyes in despair, you unconsciously have to develop feelings for each of these characters.

'Knock, Knock' feels like the show's undisputed 'settling in' point. As the episode fades out (with a happy ending, don't fear) I feel ready and eager to delve into Season 2, and I can't wait to see what faces the Fishers (and Federico) face next.

Season 1: Has moments of weakness in plotting and platitudes but is heartfelt and engaging

[bob the moo · 29 September 2012]

It has been many years since I last watched Six Feet Under, indeed the last episode I saw was the last episode of the final season. Having wept like a child at that episode and had the show very dear in my memory, there was a certain reluctance to return to a show that I watched as a younger man and also remembered as being perfect. I overcame this and returned to the first season recently and at first there was an odd feeling of it being recognisable but not really the show I remember. The first few episodes took a minute to grow on me as I rediscovered the characters and reorientated myself to the Fisher home, where ghosts mix with real people and the characters develop in ways which include comedic flower arrangers and rough male prostitutes. The pilot didn't really help this process since it was a little different from the rest of the show and did some things that weren't continued.

It didn't take too long though since the characters are engaging and I was moved in the long haul, with the season finale being satisfying poignant and difficult; it is the show I remember. This is not to say that time hasn't forgiven it some things in my memory though, because it has benefited from this. At times here it can be a little cloying, a little obvious in its sentiment and not as dark hearted and smart as I remember – not that often, but just the few times in the season there were scenes or dialogue that disappointed me by how obvious or platitudinal they were. Likewise some of the plotting was a bit weaker than I remember – the ecstasy in the aspirin jar being one such example. Again though, this is the exception but the rule was that all the characters are flawed in many ways but yet still growing in their own ways. In some cases this is not a positive thing for the character but whether it is or isn't it is still engaging and genuine.

The word genuine seems odd to use in regards this season, likewise the word "real" since so much of the show involves the dead and also situations that I can't relate to but that seem hyper-real in the telling, but yet still work. So Claire's growing pains and her attraction to Gabe is an extreme example, but ultimately she is recognisable as someone going through something familiar, even if it is only familiar at the base. This is the same of many of the characters; they feel real within the construct of this show and, since the construct is so engaging, the characters are equally engaging and feel real.

The cast helps although again there was the difficulty for me to be able to see them over a decade down the road. Krause leads the cast and has an otherworldly air to his character that can be a little off but works in the context of the show. Hall is more grounded and has a more engaging battle, making for a strong character with a lot of demons. Conroy is a delight from start to finish; bottled up and nervous about her own feelings – she is convincing and wonderful. Ambrose is more than just a stroppy teen, even though that is essentially her character – she delivers self-importance and pretension while also being likable. Rodriguez is energetic and likable, Griffiths is odd but sells it while Sisto is quite frightening in his delivery.

The first season of Six Feet Under contains weaknesses and moments of platitudes and convenience but they are only moments, rarely more than that. The majority of the season is engaging, moving and convinces within the context of the world it creates. It took me a minute to get back into the rhythm of it, but once there this was as strong as I remember it to have been.