Last Night's Six Feet Under Episode: "Perfect Circles". DISCUSS!!!

[callmetootie]

What did you all think of Six Feet Under last night? Let me examine everything about last night's episode, including writing and performances, with a grade for each, and a final grade for the entire episode on the bottom:


The Writing: The writing of last night's episode was confusing. The entire first 20 minutes with Nate dying was shocking, but predictable at the same time. The writers don't seem to be treating David or Claire with any respect either, and Keith is turning into a flaming bi&ch. However, they did a good job with Ruth's little subplot. Grade: C.

The Direction: The usual eerie direction, lead by the great Alan Ball. No problems seen here. Grade: A+.

The Regular Cast-

Michael C. Hall - Michael was given a nice subplot in the episode, but the character of David is far beyond the boarderline. They have taken it a bit too far. Michael still, however gave a great performance. Grade: A-

Peter Krause - Being the center of the entire episode gave Peter a chance to shine. And he did. The beginning was heartbreaking, and you had sympathy for him. Grade: A+.

Francis Conroy - I've seen better from Francis, but she did give a good performance, in particular while on the phone wanting to babysit. Grade: B+.

Lauren Ambrose - It's so sad what the writers have done with Claire. They turned her from a disturbed young person, to being an out-of-control monster. Good performance, but it's the writer's fault here. Grade: B-

Rachael Griffiths - Where are you my dear??? Not in episode, which makes me sad. Grade: F! :)

Freddie Rodriguz - Fun performances by Freddie here, and gives him a chance to shine a bit more. Grade: A-


The Guest Stars-

Lili Taylor - Excellent performance, but the character is begining to show signs of flaw. Grade: A.

Catherine O'Hara - Un-needed performance by a wonderful actress who is given nothing to work with. Mediocre. Grade: C.


Overall Grade: B/B-

[Pitooey]

I was unhappy. Especially in the beginning they streched the Peter storyline too long and I knew he didn't die.

I always enjoy Michall Hall's performance. Believe it or not I enjoy seeing him and Keith argue like woman.

Lauren - I enjoy her character I just hope they do more with her.

All in All I gave yesterday's episode a C.............

[TJL]

I thought seeing Nate's name popup as the weekly corpse was a great way to kick things off.
Moving the action several months from last season was a good idea. It will be interesting to see how Nate handles the return of his former fiancee.
I really love Francis Conroy. She is without a doubt one of the most fascinating actresses to watch on the tube today.

[IheartMoonlighting]

I think this episode will make more sense after we get into the season. I really do believe this is an alternate universe.

[TJL]

Originally posted by IheartMoonlighting
I think this episode will make more sense after we get into the season. I really do believe this is an alternate universe.

I thought about that too. It certainly is an interesting idea.

[Kitt]

The show was loaded with humor. I like that. It means that the writers and the cast are keeping things lose and fun.

Nate walked around seeing himself come to different ends. An overweight couch potato, a man married to a nut, a happily married man…

David and Keith are funny if you don’t take the potential for violence too seriously. They said that their sex life is just fine, even though everything else isn’t, lol. David prepared for bed, all the way up to and including nose and ear hair trimming, only to find Keith asleep. That was funny. And David saying to Nate, “Keith has his violence issues. I have my doormat issues.” LOL.

Ruth on the phone to Nate’s frantic wife: “Oh, I’m sorry. Peanut butter wasn’t a problem when my kids were growing up. Is the baby all right?” That was a hilarious conversation. And we can expect a lot more like it.

Freddie ( I forget the character name) getting PO’d at David and Nate for neglecting their parlor duties: That was also funny. He is not only feeling his oats and claiming his new found rank in the business, but he seems disgusted that those guys are neglecting the business due to what he probably considers to be their ‘petty’ problems.

All and all I think the show is off to a rousing start. I had trouble with it last season because it was just too serious. Rachael and her sex addiction thing really got on my nerves. If she comes back I’ll bet that will be swept under the rug in some way.

[IheartMoonlighting]

Originally posted by TJL


I thought about that too. It certainly is an interesting idea. I read a quote on the HBO page, it says, Nate's "new life". That's a pretty big hint, also, go read the Alan Ball's interview at the website.

I wonder how long we have to watch this "new life".

[TJL]

Originally posted by IheartMoonlighting
I wonder how long we have to watch this "new life".

Remember how people went nuts when Bobby Ewing emerged from the shower, and the previous season on "Dallas" was revealed as "a dream?"

Let's hope it doesn't come to that.

puke:

[Janice]

I enjoyed the season 3 kickoff. Like Kitt wrote, a lot of humor was injected in this episode.
I'm wondering also is this could be a dream deal. The message boards at hbo.com are full of that theory. The show did have an odd feel to it....odder than it's usual odd.
It strikes me as strange that Nate got married and is living with her insane boss. What's the deal with that? And is her boss the one who played Frasier's barracuda agent, Bebe?
Ruth wasn't acting right either. It's one thing to be crazy over your grandchild, but she was acting like a Stepford wife.
It's interesting to note that Frances Conroy is 49 while Peter Krause is 37.
I miss Keith being a cop. It added to his character. It was dead funny when David took his sweet old time in the bathroom. The nosehair bit was hilarious. I could hear Keith snoring in my mind.
I read that Brenda and her family, the Chenowiths, will return in episode 5. I don't know, but I'm assuming that means wild and wacky Billy (gotta love him), and her swinging parents.
I knew Brenda would be back. She won the Emmy and adds a lot of excitement to the show. I couldn't take Nate if he stays all happily married to the tree hugger. He's starting to lose his edge already.
I also hope they start hiding the baby a little. Nothing against kids, but I don't tune into adult shows to watch them coo over a baby. I hope they wise up and we start hearing, "The baby's napping." Maya had too much airtime for my tastes. It could be just to establish the father and child bond or to lay the groundwork for the Ruth and Lisa fireworks.
Then again, this could be one of Nate's visions. There was the other vision with Brenda and a child.
I'm looking forward to the next episode.

[Janice]

double post.

[callmetootie]

It was Catherine O'Hara who played the boss...not Harriett Harris who played Bebe Glazer on Frasier.

[Pitooey]

So this means Keith is no longer a cop. I'm getting confused or maybe I've forgotten something. I know that he shot someone in the last season. Now he rescued a dead rat from a woman's pool.

Oh by the way. I love Freddy's character. Part owner of the funeral home. I'm happy for him he is also another favorite character of mine.

[Kitt]

That's right, Keith is no longer a cop. That's part of his general complaint, so he says, and reason for being so angry. He now works for a company that installs security systems. The lady who called him over for the rat - or whatever it was - in the pool was an example of what sort of demeaning chores he has to do for people. Those people, Keith told David, "Make more money in one day than I make all year."

[IheartMoonlighting]

That was a possum.

We have to remember that it's seven months later and big changes can happen like that within that short time period.

TJL, I think Alan Ball is smarter than to do the Dallas thing. Did you guys pay attention to the white trash scene, listen to tv show.