Six Feet Under Episode Rating Graph

The drama about a Los Angeles funeral home meets its maker after five compelling seasons. Three weeks ago, Nate Fisher Jr.'s death ended speculation about which of the show's major characters would die. But in the hands of creator Alan Ball, who wrote and directed this episode, you can bet the finale will be anything but anticlimactic. One issue certain to be resolved involves the health of Nate's unborn child, since tonight, Brenda goes into labor. While the last two seasons have been downbeat, the writing has remained original, the acting terrific. Like Nate, the series will be missed.

Nathaniel Samuel Fisher, Jr. 1965 - 2005 David makes arrangements for Nate's funeral with Ruth and Brenda. Keith makes a humiliating discovery. Brenda must answer a difficult question for Nate's daughter, Maya. Claire reminisces on the past.

Lawrence Hall Matheson 1971 - 2005 David and Keith begin to feel comfortable in their roles as parents to Durrell and Anthony. Claire shares a common interest with co-worker Ted. Brenda faces common truths. Federico finally understands Vanessa. Feeling liberated after leaving George, Ruth goes camping with Hiram. Nate is checked into the hospital, while the rest of the family (except for Ruth, who is unreachable) waits to hear news from the doctors. Nate enters a brief coma after an operation to repair the damage from his AVM. He appears to be on the path to recovery when he suddenly dies, with only David by his side.

Aaron Buchbinder 1976 - 2002 Nate is not feeling well, emotionally and physically. Something is going on inside him. Keith's work situation changes, and this creates some extra problems between him and David. Federico makes the Fisher's an offer they cannot refuse. Claire graduates from High School.

Kenneth M. Henderson: 1954 - 2004. George has a terrible nightmare connected to his apocalyptic fears. George's daughter, Maggie, comes to visit. Rico has trouble adjusting to life without his family. Claire prepares for her gallery opening. David is traumatized after having to identify his carjacker and decides to confront the man. Nate finds a disturbing photo of Lisa in a book given to him by Michaela.

Bruno Baskerville Walsh: 1951 - 1972. Nate is having a difficult time with Lisa's death. When problems arise in how to handle her remains, he comes up with a unique solution that satisfies everyone. Brenda is attracted to her neighbor, David and Keith discuss their relationship. Claire has an uncomfortable discussion with Russell.

Anahid Hovanessian: 1951-2003. Ruth and George announce their wedding plans. Nate takes to the booze. A frustrated Rico finds comfort outside the home. Nate, Sr. comes and takes Claire on a tour of the afterlife and also comes to David to encourage him to make amends with Keith. Nate receives devastating news...

Pilar Sandoval 1970 - 2005 Claire attends a LAC-Arts benefit show with new friend, Ted. Brenda gets news from her doctor. Ruth babysits for Durrell and Anthony. Nate and Brenda attend a service at Maggie's church.

Paul Ronald Duncan 1983 - 2005 Billy returns to help Brenda through her difficult time. An inebriated Claire rejects Ted. Rico is eager to discuss the future of the business. George wants to help Ruth tend to Maya while David is consumed with fear.

Anne Marie Thornton: 1966 - 2004. With Keith out of town on business, David gets taken for a ride by a hitchhiker. Meanwhile, Nate feels out of place in a bereavement group, Ruth tries to play matchmaker--to George's chagrin, Claire feels empty after a critique of her self-portraits, Brenda and her mom go back to school, and Federico gets an unexpected visitor at work.

Leticia Perfecta Perez 1929 - 2002 Some ladies are at the beauty parlor are getting ready for a Quinceanera (15th Birthday Party). When the stylist goes over to Leticia to see if she's done, he discovers she more than done. Nate and Brenda begin to start over, but something comes in the way, a secret Brenda is hiding. David and Keith apply to adopt Taylor. But what will the social worker think about two men living together? Federico and Vanessa gets an unexpected gift from a very unexpected place. Nikolai and Ruth's relationship takes a serious turn for the worse. Ruth also gets some wonderful news.

Robert Lamar Giffin: 1955 - 2003. While the partner of a recently deceased gay man is orchestrating an operatic tribute at Fisher & Diaz, Lisa plans an unwanted birthday party for Ruth. Meanwhile, Claire has a night to remember with Russell and two outlaw art teachers.

Jesse Ray Johnson 1944 - 2001 It's the one year anniversary of Nathaniel Sr's death, and it gets the whole family reminiscing. Nikolai gets seriously injured and Ruth takes him into her home to take care of him. Claire gets sucked back into her love of the not-so-good boys. David and Keith continue to grow closer. Nate gets an unexpected gift that could possibly set him free.

Dorothy Su: 1945 - 2003. David Raymond Monroe: 1971 - 2003. Edward Tully: 1955 - 2003. Nate still can't locate Lisa. The funeral home gets a number of cases, and needs all the help they can get. Arthur tries to learn how to interact with the funeral home's customers. Rico struggles to adjust to Vanessa's sister living with them. Brenda finds her own place in a dangerous neighborhood. Claire shuns Russell's apology, argues with Oliver, and gets some shocking news.

Marcus Foster March 5, 1978 - June 5, 2001 Rico and Vanessa finally have their new son. Brenda tries to handle her brother's obsessiveness and suggests he give her back her house key and start back on his medication. Billy does not react too well to this. David's feelings about his secret come closer to the surface due to a hate crime against a gay man, that the funeral home now must deal with. Ruth tries to get her son to bring up the subject, but has a very difficult time. Nate has a freakish encounter with Billy. Claire and Gabe continue their unusual relationship.

Fiona Lenore Kleinschmidt 1948 - 2005 Ruth is delighted when her sister Sarah calls. Claire finds a way to keep her money problems at bay. Nate reminisces about his love life while Brenda is away taking time out for a little rest and relaxation. Federico entertains an interesting offer unaware of someone's motives.

Lillian Grace Montrose October 4, 1936 - June 14, 2001 Tracy Montrose Blair is back but for very different reasons this time. Her Aunt Lillian has passed away and David is the only one that can help her. While David is trying to deal with Tracy's outrageous demands and cope with her ever-changing ideas, Nate is trying to deal with Brenda and her family. Interrupted from his funeral director's exam, Nate scurries over to Brenda's so he can take her to visit Billy. Ruth finally decides she doesn't want to be involved with Nikolai and gets fired because of it.

Andrea Kuhn 1963 - 2004 Ruth dreads George's return from the hospital in light of his recent diagnosis; Nate and Brenda prep for a big day, but an emergency makes them reconsider; David and Keith bring up alternative parenting options for discussion; Rico navigates new waters via internet dating; and Claire enjoys domestic bliss, but crosses a line with her camera, inciting an attack from Ruth.

Daniel Holzenchenko 1939 - 2005 Keith and David wait anxiously for an update from their surrogate, Mary. Billy extends a dinner invitation to Claire. Ruth discovers a new relaxation method with George not around.

Dwight Edgar Garrison 1945 - 2002 Ruth continues to help an injured Nikolai recover, but her patience is tested when she discovers just how he broke his legs. Brenda's escapades help her to write, but her feelings about being engaged grow more muddled--especially after Billy's release from the hospital.

Lawrence Tuttle: 1969 - 2004. George, Rico and Nate now all living under the same roof have become roommates. In the aftermath of Ruth's leaving, George feels fine, on the contrary for Federico who would like to forget his encounter and go home to his wife and children. Nate and Brenda are back together... with complications. Keith sleeps with a woman. Edie gives Claire the cold shoulder. Nate has a terrible nightmare.

William Aaron Jaffe: 1951 - 1975. Fisher & Diaz deal with the recently discovered body of a man missing for years. Meanwhile, Ruth sets the ground rules for a new live-in apprentice named Arthur, David meets an old acquaintance during an L.A. Gay Men's Chorus rehearsal, and Claire is surprised by her responsibilities as Olivier's new assistant.

Bernard Asa Chenowith: 1939 - 2003. A group of familiar relatives and friends is united in mourning. Meanwhile, David and Keith (reluctantly) play 'Leading Ladies' at brunch with members of the Gay Men's Chorus, Ruth and Arthur perform a rendition of 'My Favorite Things,' and Rico grows increasingly concerned about Vanessa's 'intense energy.'

Robert Duane Wething: 1958 - 2004. A drunken Robert falls flat on his face in the mud and dies. Nate, Maya and Brenda go to Idaho to inter Lisa's cremains and get some terrible news. David wants to have a commitment ceremony and adopt a child; Keith does not. Ruth comes home and lays out some new rules. Claire gets really into drugs. Rico tries to reconcile with Vanessa.

Victor Wayne Kovich, PFC January 16, 1971 - April 1, 2001 Billy tries to get in the way of Nate and Brenda's relationship. Ruth invites Hiram over for a family dinner, and also takes a florist job in Nikolai's shop. David meets an open-minded associate priest and votes to keep him on for the church. Claire continues to have problems with school and life in general.

Matthew Clark Hazen: 1962 - 2003. Martin Jacobs: 1978 - 2003. Andrew Wayne Milne: 1952 - 2003. Daniel Grant Showalter: 1978 - 2003. David and Rico are at odds over doing business with the family of a deceased telemarketer, Claire finds she has more in common with a fellow art student named Russell than with Phil, and Ruth meets a new friend, Bettina. Meanwhile, David and Keith get a taste of a different kind of family life and Carol continues to make life miserable for Lisa.

Callie Renee Mortimer: 1984 - 2003. Keith and David find the reality of a resort vacation different than advertised, Ruth learns the meaning of 'express checkout' during a shopping excursion with Bettina, and Claire gets a lesson in 'sick' art from a new teacher.

Lawrence Henry Mason: 1938 - 2003. David's ex-fiancee re-enters his life in search of answers to the question, 'Why me?' Meanwhile, Nate has a psychic rendezvous, Keith's new job sends him into the closet, Federico identifies with David's past, Claire decides not to let life pass her by, George dumps some surprise baggage on Ruth, and Margaret weighs in on Brenda's new relationship.

Chloe Margaret Bryant Yorkin January 7, 1959 - April 2001 Riding in a limo, a drunken Chloe is celebrating her new-found freedom with friends. she stands up with her head out the sunroof to scream it to the world... and loses her head, literally. The business is a bit slow these days, so Nate and David decide to rent out a room at the funeral home to supplement the loss. Frederico is being wooed by Kroehner's and he contemplates doing it for the experience and the money. Claire is hiking in the mountains but doesn't really understand the point of it all.

Daddy: 1940 - 2003. After the patriarch of a cultish new-age clan dies, Fisher & Diaz is overrun by the wives and children left behind. Meanwhile, Keith gets back at David and his brunch pals during an intense game of paintball, Claire tires of being Olivier's lackey assistant, and Ruth and Arthur savor the smell of clean laundry.

Karen Postell Pepper: 1964 - 2003. A nosebleed proves deadly for one audience member queuing up to see the 'Dr. Dave' advice show. Meanwhile, Lisa takes Maya on an illuminating camping trip, and Rico wrestles with the challenges of a double-wide corpse and 'triple X' casket.

Melinda Mary Bloch: 1965 - 2003. The Fishers run into some unexpected guests at an art-school benefit featuring works for sale by Claire, Russell and Olivier. Meanwhile, David and Keith have an awkward video-store meeting with Father Jack, then haggle over the 'rules' of three-way sex with a stranger.

Jeffrey Marc Shapiro 1963 - 2001 Nate is exposed to a friendly female rabbi at a funeral they have. Claire visits her Aunt Sarah's place and meets a boy that she isn't immediately disgusted by. Keith starts to get less icy towards David.

Chandler James Swanson, Jr. July 29, 1967 - January 8, 2001 During a get together around a pool, people discuss a franchise pyramid scheme. Chandler Swanson dives into the pool, but he doesn't come back up. He leaves a wife and an infant daughter. Nathaniel Fisher's will is read and Ruth gets money, stocks and insurance money. Nate & David are both given the funeral business. Claire receives college tuition, but she considers trading it in for cash. In an effort to help the Widow Swanson, Nate starts learning a few things about the funeral business. First up, caskets cannot be rented. By law, a used casket cannot be re-sold.

Rebecca Leah Milford 1980 - 2001 Brenda and Nate seem to be in a bit of a slump, or rather Brenda is in the slump for both of them. David gets some good news, but then continues to get bad news of varying degrees. But if David's news is bad, Nate's could be considered slightly potentially devastating. And it doesn't help Nate that Brenda is being so detached and cold towards him. Ruth is trying to figure out ways she can be more accepting and open to David's homosexuality. In the process she questions Claire about her sexuality. Rico is trying to become more involved on the sales side of the business but strikes out.

Peter Thomas Burns 1948 - 2005 David and Keith struggle to create boundaries. Nate and Brenda receive some ambiguous news. Ruth fills her days with activities leaving no time for relaxation.

Thomas Alfredo Romano May 16, 1944 - January 21, 2001 The Fishers have decided to sell, but then back out at the last minute because Nate cannot stand Gilardi. Claire finds a rather interesting way to get back at Gabe for spreading rumors about her. Gilardi find his own way of payback. He tells the Fishers that he is buying the rundown house across the street from them in order to provide a cheap alternative to Fisher & Sons. However, mysteriously, the house catches on fire after Nate and Brenda fool around in it.

James Dubois Marshall: 1923 - 2004. Nate and Brenda take Maya on a train ride, getting caught in their tracks when they go a little too far. David tries to 'sex-orcise' his demons. Keith straightens out a conflict of interest. Federico starts sleeping on the job. Ruth schools George when he treads on her garden. Vanessa and Angelica take some female matters into their own hands.