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Amazon.co.uk Review
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
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Like HBO's other masterpiece, The Sopranos, 6 Feet Under has been audacious, innovative and quite brilliant from the very beginning. However, whereas The Sopranos has some very unsettling things to say about being a man, 6 Feet Under says some very unsettling things about being a mortal human animal. And in this fifth and final series it is unflinching in its delivery, brooding like a gathering thunderstorm and then delivery a devasting blow that leaves the viewer as bewildered and bereft as the story's protagonists.
This is grown-up entertainment of the highest order. The script and direction is almost faultless but what truly gives this drama its cutting edge is, for me, the quality of the acting. I can't think of adequate superlatives to offer praise to the cast. They are all absolutely stellar and it would be wrong to pick out any individuals as being `the star of the show'.
Mark Kermode maintains that The Exorcist is the greatest film of all time (I very strongly disagree) because of its emotional impact on the audience. Well I have to say that I can't think of another television series, or film, that has had such an emotional impact upon me, in particular during the final three episodes. By Kermode's criteria this series has to be the greatest of all time.
But who cares about hyperbole? Suffice to say that 6 Feet Under's mastermind, Alan Ball, has created an exceptional finale to an exceptional drama. He does us the service of reminding us that life is tragic and for that we should thank him.
This is grown-up entertainment of the highest order. The script and direction is almost faultless but what truly gives this drama its cutting edge is, for me, the quality of the acting. I can't think of adequate superlatives to offer praise to the cast. They are all absolutely stellar and it would be wrong to pick out any individuals as being `the star of the show'.
Mark Kermode maintains that The Exorcist is the greatest film of all time (I very strongly disagree) because of its emotional impact on the audience. Well I have to say that I can't think of another television series, or film, that has had such an emotional impact upon me, in particular during the final three episodes. By Kermode's criteria this series has to be the greatest of all time.
But who cares about hyperbole? Suffice to say that 6 Feet Under's mastermind, Alan Ball, has created an exceptional finale to an exceptional drama. He does us the service of reminding us that life is tragic and for that we should thank him.
16 of 17 people found the following review helpful
I've just finished watching season 5 of Six Feet Under and quite frankly I'm still in shock. This is the best written and acted piece of television I have ever seen.
I'm still haunted by the last two episodes, I never thought I could cry as much as I did watching them. These are characters you just can't say goodbye to.
It really is television at its best and I haven't seen anything as brilliant as this since.
The best advice I will give is watch it !! Six Feet Under is a MUST in any DVD collection.
I'm still haunted by the last two episodes, I never thought I could cry as much as I did watching them. These are characters you just can't say goodbye to.
It really is television at its best and I haven't seen anything as brilliant as this since.
The best advice I will give is watch it !! Six Feet Under is a MUST in any DVD collection.
79 of 88 people found the following review helpful
No matter how many superlatives you heap upon this program, you can seemingly never do justice to the masterful talents of everyone involved in creating it that have combined to create such a work of clear outstanding superiority that should be raised onto a pedestal where it can be seen by all. Strong words, I know, but Six Feet Under is wholly deserving of every bit of praise it gets.
This fifth and final (sob) series continues and ultimately ends what has been an emotional rollercoaster of a journey whose quality has never relented, with each and every single one of its episodes keeping you spellbound (more recent dramas like Lost, while still excellent, could take heed of this). The quality of the show shines through when you consider that throughout the viewer never once feels like they are being pandered to (as is so often the case with American imports - Lost again could take note), with seemingly solid, unbreakable foundations shattered towards the end, and their sense of immersion is never once called into doubt by the outlandish, humourous dream sequences intertwined throughout, but is instead strengthened by them.
The pressure of providing a fitting conlusion for a program with so much emotional energy behind it has seemingly provoked the creators into their best work yet, with the entire series never losing the momentum that drives it towards the utterly uncompromising and numbing finale, which (if you're anything like me) will leave you in floods of tears dissolved into paroxysms of despair at the inescapable knowledge that never again will you see the characters you love so much face new horizons; but this terrible poignancy only deepens the memory of what has been (and will be for many years to come) the best (in every meaning of the word) event you've ever had the priviledge of witnessing.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
MAJOR spoiler on packaging!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
If (like me) you don't want your enjoyment of this final series ruined by the MORON responsible for choosing the image that appears on the back of the dvd case, avoid looking at... Read more
Published 4 months ago by J. M. Thompson
six feet under season 5
5th Season continues to provide the same format with the Fischer family, living their lives, with death weaving it's way through the story line never fails to retain my... Read more
Published 8 months ago by iannw57
Wonderful
I'm recovering from organising the first Six Feet Under convention in Bournemouth, and part of that is rewatching series 5 for the third time. Read more
Published 9 months ago by William Cohen
Most magical enthralling series ever!
This series has engaged me from the start, I fell in love with these characters from the beginning and grew with them. I cannot recommend this series highly enough. Read more
Published on 21 Feb 2010 by Jaizzer T
One of the most addictive TV series ever...
If, like me, you are hooked on satire, dark humour and brilliant acting then this show is for you. Each character is individual, with hang ups and a heap of baggage. Read more
Published on 22 Jun 2009 by shabbychic
What A Way To Go Out!
I watched Six Feet Under right from the very first episode on TV, but it lost its way after a few seasons and I didn't watch season 5 at all. Read more
Published on 7 Feb 2009 by Andyrew
Tears and Death
I have memories of watching the last episode and shrinking into a ball of tears. But aferward everything was ok.
Thats the beauty of nostalgia. Read more
Thats the beauty of nostalgia. Read more
Published on 27 Dec 2008 by V. Ward
Very Disappointing...
I felt relieved when this series ended because the whole thing had sadly descended into some kind of soap opera. Read more
Published on 21 Nov 2008 by N. KELLY
Wonderfully final
If you've addictively followed 6 feet under as I have, but never seen this last series, I can't recommend it enough. Read more
Published on 8 Nov 2008 by TV mad
I feel very sad for anyone who will never see this series!
Quite simply the most amazing season finale to The Best Series in the History of the Universe. Years after having finished it for the first time, I am ironically - for a show about... Read more
Published on 16 Jun 2008 by J. Cullimore
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