Six Feet Under - The Complete Fifth Season by HBO Home Video

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Six Feet Under - The Complete Fifth Season

by HBO Home Video

$19.30

$59.98

Average Rating:
Sales Rank:	1450 (lower is better)
Price Used:	$17.49
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Availability:
Release Date:	2006-03-28
Label:	HBO Home Video
UPC:	026359314421
Binding:	DVD
Published By:	HBO Home Video
ASIN:	B000E6EK42
Category:	DVD

Actors and Actresses

Editorial Reviews and Product Descriptions

Description

One of TV's most acclaimed drama series, the Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning Six Feet Under, concludes its groundbreaking, five season run. Each of the main characters will come to embrace the cycle of life - birth, death, and re-birth - in ways that are both unique and interconnected. Everything. Everyone. Everywhere. Ends.

DVD Features:
Audio Commentary
Episodic Previews
Episodic Recaps
Featurette
Audio Commentary:Six audio commentaries with the cast, crew, and creator
Featurette:Six Feet Under: 2001-2005, two 30-minute retrospectives Life and Loss: The Impact of Six Feet Under, a featurette

Amazon.com

So much anticipation pools up around the concluding episode of this concluding season that you might be tempted to head straight for said finale, titled "Everyone's Waiting" (and it's so rich you'll find yourself drawn to repeated viewings). But if you can avoid that impulse, it's worth following the full build-up of one crisis after another to get the real payoff. On an episode-by-episode basis, Six Feet Under's fifth season has a decidedly uneven quality, shifting in tone far more drastically, say, than the intensely dark season 4. Character traits that have already been developed at length begin to seem annoyingly repetitious--Nate's (Peter Krause) self-centered frustration and furious lashings out, Billy's (Jeremy Sisto) resurgent psychosis--like leitmotifs run amuck. But this season also benefits from the knowledge we've developed, over the years, of the Fisher family and their loved ones, so that what they end up facing has a real emotional wallop, sometimes jump-starting the drama just where it seems to be in danger of churning itself into circles.

It's hardly a spoiler to mention that 6fu's final season, though bookended by the promise of new beginnings (a wedding in episode 1 to a departure for new prospects in the 12th episode), centers around loss and a pivotal death. The scripts contain more than an occasional sense of inconsequential filler, while some of the recurring thematics seem forced (we see David continue to cope with the scars from his abduction in the previous episode via over-obvious imagery of facing his "inner demons"). Other issues receive especially compelling treatment, above all Brenda's (Rachel Griffiths) desire to have a child and David and Keith's (Mathew St. Patrick) choice to adopt. But the real strength of this season lies in several gripping performances. Ruth (Frances Conroy) touches off a complex series of reactions, simultaneously sympathetic and judgmental, transcending the tendency to appear as a neurotic caricature. The super-talented Lauren Ambrose brings off Claire's emerging self-awareness and maturity with moving touches (she's also got some of the funniest moments as she takes on a stint as a temp in scenes that call to mind the hysterics of The Office). Griffiths' Brenda for her part undergoes a parallel maturing process. And as George's daughter Maggie, Tina Holmes adds a welcome tone of contrast.

6fu, of course, has always been about the paradoxes of finality. But anyone who has developed an attachment to the show's unique tone and creative sensibility will have a tough time saying goodbye. Alan Ball outdoes himself with his script (and direction) for the finale, "Everyone's Waiting," seeding it with echoes from the pilot episode that will enchant aficionados. And the famous fast-forward visions coursing through Claire's imagination as she heads down the highway give the perfect seal to this set of characters. Extras include especially insightful commentaries, including Ball on the finale, retrospectives, and a mini-feature on 6fu's cultural impact. It's safe to say that the show leaves some pretty unforgettable impressions in its wake. --Thomas May

Customer Reviews

Fade to White... - Reviewed on 2008-08-17

It's a struggle for me not to give this season my "10/10 Classic" rating, because the last handful of episodes--the ones I've seen most recently, so which naturally have the biggest impact--were nearly perfect. However, the season as a whole did indeed have some minor blips that keep it from being as great a collection as Season Three or as consistent as thefirst two seasons. However, as I said before, the way this season--and series--ends is quite beautiful, and those episode leading up to the pitch perfect swan song do, indeed, make up for the awkwardness of the way the season started.

After the somewhat weaker fourth season, "Six Feet Under" bounces back with more beautiful and hilarious episodes showing the Fishers and those around them struggling with death in brand new, heart-wrenching ways. As stated before, the first few episodes of this season do indeed have the directionless feeling that the fourth season suffered from. However, even when it's at its weakest, there is such intelligence and heart put into the writing and, at another level, a bubbling tension that makes you know they're building up to something bigger and tragic. And indeed they are.

From the shocking "Ecotone," to "All Alone," a perfect dissection of grief that, quite frankly, is better than any literature, to the series finale "Everyone's Waiting," this show hit its high note in the end, surpassing the brilliance that had been achieved in earlier seasons. By the time you're watching that final goodbye montage, you'll have forgotten all about the weaker moments earlier in the season. I very much recommend this, but only if the show is watched in order, from start to finish.

It's not a perfect season, and it's not a 10/10. But it's damn close. Perhaps it's not consistent, but each episode has something hilarious, something smart, and something beautiful, and even at it's weakest, it's better than most everything else on television. I'll miss this show dearly, because not only are the character's one of a kind, the show itself is one of the top five of all time. Creator Alan Ball has gained a life-time fan.

9/10

Everyone is Waiting! - Reviewed on 2008-08-05

This show will stay with you for a long time. The characters are quirky and likable. "Breathe me" by Sia will become a favorite. And the... slight spoiler here.... end - Nate telling Claire " You can't take a picture" it already happened will definetly find you wiping tears away! And gosh could the guys be any sexier? And good for her for being the one to go.

LIFE CHANGING!!! - Reviewed on 2008-07-25

1 customer found this review helpful.

LET ME JUST SAY THIS: IF YOU DIDN'T LIKE THE FINAL SEASON, YOU'RE AN IDIOT. PLAIN AND SIMPLE. I WILL NEVER FORGET THIS SERIES. IT IS THE BEST SERIES OF ALL TIME. IT IS SUCH A CLASSIC THAT I FEEL I COULD PROBABLY NEVER WATCH IT AGAIN BECAUSE IT WOULDN'T BE DUE JUSTICE. UNBELIEAVEBLE SERIES... GET IT!!!

Beautiful ending to a great show - Reviewed on 2008-07-15

The only reason I didn't give this 5 stars is because I don't think this season was as good as the others. I love this show. I think it is smart and beautiful and just incredible. There has never been another show like it. Overall I give the series as many stars I can! In this season I found that several of the characters got on my nerves. Other than that, I couldn't stop watching. The final episode is amazing and absolutely beautiful. I have never seen an ending as good as this one. I think I could watch it over and over again.

The Best Ending to a Series Ever! - Reviewed on 2008-07-11

1 customer found this review helpful.

I don't think I'll ever forget the ending of Six Feet Under, and what led up to it. While some of the other storylines fade in your head, the ending is just fantastic, incredible. The fates of the Fishers...it's sad to see them go. I think they are the most original family on TV. The most REAL. I think that's what kept everyone watching all these seasons.

Six Feet Under was a terrific show. Maybe my all-time favorite, at least in my top 5. It kept me up at night, just to watch one more episode to see what was going to happen. I was addicted, each episode was fascenating to me. I'm sad to see it go, but glad that I can add my praise to the many, in hopes that maybe a viewer who hasn't seen the show yet will read this measley review and give the show a shot. You won't regret it!

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Book Subjects

Drama
Movie
TV Shows / TV Movie
Television
Television: HBO