I am a classic television junky. Most shows made today do not hold up to the originality, the story lines and the uniqueness of the old programs made during televisions "Golden Era". As a result, when and if I become a follower of a series, it has to be special; If the show doesn't touch me emotionally, I'll reach for the remote and search for T.V. Land. Not to say that there have not been ground breaking television shows made in the last 20 years. Seinfeld, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Picket Fences, Northern Exposure, The West Wing and The Sopranos are a few that come to mind. Heck, I even enjoyed Beverly Hills 90210! Still, most of the programming and its content left me yearning for Columbo or Hill Street Blues and the television of the '70's and '80's.
My brother, a great judge of what is strong or weak on television, recommended I check out Six Feet Under and to tell him what I think (this was 2003, two years into the shows run). We don't get HBO on television (to date) in Canada, so the usual way to watch an American show not accessible to the masses is to rent the DVD at the video store. After renting and watching Season 1, The Pilot, I instantly realized that this show was unique and special. When I watch a show, I watch a show, study it, digest it, judge it. I instantly LOVED the show. I felt that click, the alarm that goes off..the "quality gauge" in your head. I needed more! The characters, above all, intrigued and fascinated me. I related to the portrayals given by all the unique and flawed actors. The daily struggles that they endured (self doubt, hurt, fears, emotions, death, etc.) allowed me, the viewer to relate in a way that made me think that all of us have the same fears in day to day life; the content made me feel that I'm not alone in coping with this adventure (and sometimes struggle) called life. When a program can open your eyes and make you ponder your own existence, the "what's it all about" life questions, you treat it with as much appreciation and respect as a classic novel that gave you the words you lived by or a song that was the soundtrack of your life. A series that sent a charge through me so strong and powerful, I felt fortunate to "get it".
Six Feet Under is not a series (graphic language and content) for the networks. Without the graphic and sexual content, this program would never have such a following. This is a show for adults and I understand the difference between family entertainment and adult content. Credit HBO for its existence. Credit HBO for taking a chance on a show that in its first few years was not a huge success. Like M*A*S*H, credit the network for allowing the series to grow and build an audience. Because of this, Six Feet Under turned nay sayers into fans. DVD sales and rentals alone prove that the public is intrigued by this show, its content, its writing and its characters.
Though there are dozens of dramas and comedies that have touched the mass public and myself, Six Feet Under deserves #2 all time television status due to: -Being the one show that treated and allowed us to see life and death in a realistic and graphic way. It was not always easy to watch but give credit to the show for its honesty and realism that both entertained us and alarmed us simultaneously. -The characters that we identified with, whether individually or as a combination. Each actor cast in their respected roles, allowed us to relate to each one with a flurry of emotions and identification. Nate Fisher, the anchor and flawed "savior" of the family, inherited the role of patriarch after the death Nathaniel Sr. What's symbolic about Nate is that he realizes and accepts his role in keeping the family together but negative forces and self destructive behaviour (based on impulsive behaviour) usually complicates Nate's life to the point where Nate questions his own existence and his place in life (we can all relate) He is the conscientiousness of the the show. David Fisher, middle child, closet homosexual, sensitive and angry, struggles for acceptance and understanding in a world dictated by social norms. David's continual search for answers with his conflicting lifestyles (homosexual in one world and seemingly straight with his family, funeral home clients and church in another), give way to guilt, shame and confusion, combined with a sensitivity and compassion for others make David the Id, Ego and Super Ego of the show. Claire Fisher, the youngest Fisher by several years, provides the show with youth, optimism, pretentiousness, an above it all attitude. With an honesty the other Fisher's are not capable of, Claire is the voice of truth on the show. Ruth Fisher, mother of the Fishers, provides the family with the security of a mother we all received or craved, as well as the fears that a mother can bring onto you with all her overbearing ways. Ruth holds all the guilt, the fear and the insecurity of the show. Ironically, Ruth being the most straight-laced and unflinching of all characters paradoxically is the one family member most open to change. Ruth represents adaptation and how we are all capable of overcoming tragedy and grief...and moving on with our lives. -The Finale, in all its hype, is THE BEST FINALE...ever. I won't describe it. My description could never give this masterpiece the credit due. Just rent it...it's the most powerful piece of film I have ever seen...period.
Six Feet Under, the best drama series of our generation...a show that could have continued on for a couple more years but new when to call it quits...on top. Six Feet Under never died though...for those who watched, it will live on forever in our memories.
No comments:
Post a Comment