Pauline and I have watched all five seasons (63 episodes) of Six Feet Under in the past few months, having seen the series first when it came out in 2001–2005. Susanna watched many of the episodes with us; I think Sean would have loved it (he was too young to watch when it was first aired).
To me, it’s the best TV show I have ever seen (Pauline feels the same way). Admittedly the various blockbuster series of the past few years passed us by, but I very much doubt that any of them would surpass Six Feet Under in my mind. The writing and acting are superb; the complexity and humanity of the characters come across believably and often beautifully, and the fact that death is ever present only accentuates the value and vividness of life, in all its imperfection. Music (such as the highly evocative main theme), dreams and fantasy offset or accentuate the grittiness.
I think it’s interesting that Pauline and I were originally so absorbed by a show with death as a major theme, given what happened afterwards in our own lives. We can relate much more to the last few episodes now: the impact of Nate’s demise on those around him is highly believable, and watching it was quite emotional. Yet life bubbles up irrepressibly in the shadow of death – people continue to strive, to cope, to express their essential aliveness, in Six Feet Under as in ‘reality’. Death suffuses life – can it be that life suffuses death?
This is a classic to which I’m sure we’ll return again in the future (barring the types of mishap that feature in its opening scenes …).
The road to God knows where ... Brendan O'Brien 
Life, death and new life are not incongruent with each other. I am discovering more of my new sister [young Boetie’s widow] since he crossed over to life on the other side of the river. Our friendship is different from what it was when she was my most beloved brother’s wife but it is growing. We have reached the stage where we can say to each other that we once loved the same man, and we do in fact, but that is adding a new dimension to our friendship. I would love to hear what you make of it. Keep well, Brendan. Ike
Hello Ike – thank you for this, and I am glad to hear that you have a good friendship with your sister-in-law. Grief is easier to handle together with someone who understands it than alone. Best wishes to you both.