I won't be giving this episode a numerical rating, nor will I be discussing the actual content of the episode. I feel that to do that would cheapen the emotional message that Alan Ball and Kate Robin, as the writers of this episode, wanted to send. Nate Fisher, the character, played by Peter Krause, in a fictional TV show called Six Feet Under, is dead. Yet I think he is more than just that, as the show is. Nate died, but the idea of Nate lives on. It may have been too soon, but that is the cruelty and fleeting opportunity of life. He is Kurt Cobain, in a way.
I am 20 years old at the time of writing this, and Christmas 2018 has just passed. I am glad I waited a few weeks after 'Ecotone' to watch this episode. I'll keep it brief but a member of my family has been suffering with cancer this year, and thankfully has recovered in time for Christmas. Her daughter gave birth to her second child on Christmas morning. Her brother has rarely called and only visited once in the past year. I was not really surprised when an almost identical situation was referenced in this episode.
I think it's important throughout life, and especially after death, to love and to hold everyone dear to us as best we can. I realise that just saying this doesn't mean much, and some people have impossible problems and infinite sadness facing them. I'd like to think that I could 'deal', as Claire would say, and be strong for everyone around me, but the truth is I won't know until I'm there. I'm sure nobody can know for sure. But I think, if anything, watching Six Feet Under is important, to try and help people, or at least show them, how a situation like this would actually transpire. I love the fact that I can say that about a fictional TV show, it really vindicates my passion for TV and creative storytelling. I will always hold Six Feet Under close to my heart, and recommend it endlessly to everyone I love - because it is important.
Nate was important, and I will miss him.
