25 Years Later, This Is Still HBO's Most Ambitious Show

In its early days, "ambitious" was HBO's middle name as the cabler broke new ground with explicit, graphic, and gratuitous shows about men's prison, women's sexcapades in prime time, and a suburban mob boss in therapy. Yet perhaps none were quite so daring as Six Feet Under, a quirky little series about a family-run funeral home.

Six Feet Under didn't have any of the buzzy allure of Oz, Sex and the City, or The Sopranos. The show didn't boast any stars — but it made some out of Peter Krause, Michael C. Hall, and Frances Conroy. Instead, Six Feet Under bet on itself, confidently leaning into its offbeat characters and tone. And it paid off in a big way, with a series finale that's widely regarded as the best of all time.

Six Feet Under Is A Hopeful Show About Death

Six Feet Under certainly has its share of sadness as it doesn't turn away from any of the emotions that accompany death. It holds space for grief in its entirety — the shocking opening scene shows the immediate death of Fisher family patriarch Nathaniel. The prodigal son, Nate, returns home and forcibly makes space for his mother, Ruth, to publicly experience the taboo elements of grief, screaming, crying, and breaking down.

And somehow, there's something freeing in the show's holistic embrace of death. Ultimately, Six Feet Under proves to indeed be a celebration of life. From the demure Ruth, to the closeted David to the troubled Claire, the Fisher family is largely melancholic and morose, but the show pushes them every step of the way to seize the day and experience joy with the life they've been given.

Six Feet Under Is A Procedural... Sort Of

Nathaniel's death in the pilot episode kicks off a structure that the series maintains throughout its run: every episode opens with a death that the Fishers will process. In theory, this gives the show a funeral-of-the-week consistency, but Six Feet Under is a far cry from the predictability that procedurals are typically known for.

While this gives the series a somewhat familiar format, Six Feet Under is a serialized character study. The Fishers are the heart of the story that evolves dramatically throughout the show's run — episodes of Six Feet Under most definitely can't be watched at random like other procedurals.

Is Six Feet Under A Ghost Story Or A Display Of Surrealism?

It's an ongoing question. The tone of the character-driven procedural is further twisted beyond any conventional recognition by the Fishers' consistent interactions with the deceased. As Nate or David prepare a body for funeral services, the recently deceased often appears in the room with them, sparking a conversation that touches on their current personal struggle.

No one else ever sees these apparitions, creating uncertainty about whether the Fishers are haunted by the literal ghosts of their work, or if they are merely a visual representation of Nate and David's internal dialogue. The late Nathaniel also continues to appear, often in dreams or quick flashes. The experiences really stick with the characters, suggesting that it really was some sort of external force.

Ultimately, the lack of clarity characterizes the series, encouraging viewers to both think for themselves and accept uncertainty. It's really the cherry on top of this incredibly unique show, making Six Feet Under one of HBO's most historic installments.