All Alone Is All We Are

"Six Feet Under" has been one of our favorite shows since its beginning, and I'm sad to see it go...in a way. In another way, the characters are, one and all, wearying me to such an extent that I'm relieved to say goodbye to them. Ruth, in particular, has been wearing my last nerve down for a couple of seasons now. I just don't find many redeeming qualities in any of them--they're a shallow, self-centered, faithless, disloyal bunch. And what does it say about me that, if I had to pick one of them to be deserted on an island with, it would probably be post-ECT George?

The show consistently exhibited some of the best writing on television. The narrative arc is feeling satisfyingly complete, beginning with Nate's arrival upon the death of his father and ending (somewhat) with his own death. Although, since the series' end is yet to come, and did not occur with Sunday's funeral episode, the writers do have me curious as to what the denouement will be (Brenda's baby?). I'm looking forward to it with a bittersweet anticipation, as I will look forward to what's next for some of the talents that were discovered on this show, both in front of and behind the camera.

One of my favorite things about the show throughout has been the seamless incorporation of music that perfectly matched the mood of that episode, even if you only heard it over the closing credits. Nirvana's "All Apologies" was a fitting accompaniment to the penultimate episode.

Biggest pet peeve? Besides the basic unlikeability (well, it oughta be a word) of the characters--much like my feelings about "The Sopranos"; I was interested in the characters, but I did not like them--that would be, to borrow a term from Jim Rome, the gratuitous, overdone dropping of the "F-Bomb". I realize that HBO original programming apparently has some sort of F-Bomb quota it has to meet, but give me a break. These people spoke this way to customers--grieving loved ones of the recently departed, for crying out loud. Good writing is good writing, and a high "f-count" does not make it "edgy."

In my own imaginings of "What Happens Next?" (and admit it, you're all doing it), I have the most hope for Brenda. I wish the best for George, Billy, Clair, Keith, and grudgingly, David...and don't give much of a rip about any of the rest of them. I'm sorry to say I had lost almost all fondness for Nate well before he died. I think Brenda perfectly summed up Nate's sad relationship history when she told Milquetoast Maggie, "All he ever wanted was someone who could make him feel like he was a better man than he actually was."

And the Nirvana song lyrics? Well, I recently had a therapist, in discussing my grieving over my father, tell me much the same thing when she said, "It hits kind of hard when you realize that you really are all alone in the world." I think that was when I decided I wasn't seeing her any more. Not the zenith of encouragement for a depressed person, perhaps? Hmmm? In any case, it was a lot more palatable coming from (doomed) Kurt Cobain.

Ashes to ashes...it's been fun, SFU.