Customer Reviews

Six Feet Under - The Complete Second Season

5 star:		(111)
4 star:		(9)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

If you haven't seen Season One, stop reading this right now and go watch it. You're in for a real treat, as 6FU is one of the most well-written TV dramas ever.

If you watched Season Two when it originally aired and are considering purchasing this set, you should know that the DVD extras are not plentiful. Several of the 13 episodes have optional commentaries you can listen to while you're watching the episode; I find this is a big investment of time for a small payoff, but that's just me. Plus, the last disc contains a short documentary "anatomy of a stiff," which is worth watching once, but not really that compelling. Another factor that might affect your purchase decision is that the episodes themselves are rich and stand up to repeated viewings, unlike most of the tripe on television. Plus, watching the episodes on DVD - on YOUR schedule - makes for a much better experience than waiting a week or more between episodes as they are aired on HBO.

If you've seen Season One but not Season Two yet, the best indicator of whether you'll like Two is how much you liked One. Yes, it's true, fans disagree over which of the first two seasons was better. But the overwhelming majority that liked One a lot also liked Two a lot.

I think both of the first two seasons were EXCELLENT, but a bit different. Almost every episode of the first season was very good or excellent. The second season had the same average quality as the first season, but more variability - that is, a few episodes or storylines were a bit weaker than what we typically saw in Season One, but other episodes and storylines were even better than those in Season One. The last two episodes of Season Two rank among the best television I've ever seen.

I will try to set up the events of Season Two without giving anything away. At the end of Season One, Nate was coming to grips with a newly diagnosed brain condition that could cause seizures, or even a stroke and death. Nate and Brenda had declared their love for each other, despite a fairly complicated and sometimes rocky relationship. David was single and struggling in his love life, and coming to terms with being "out." He and Keith were still friends, and it was clear that they still had feelings for each other. These storylines are developed further in Season Two, with many interesting twists and turns along the way. Of course, there are also storylines involving Ruth and Claire. Ruth's growth in Season Two is nonlinear - she seems to make progress in one episode, but then reverts back to her depressed, repressed, controlling self in the next. Claire has interesting relationships with different people, each of which shapes her in some way, good or bad, and she gets a bit of direction in her life toward the end of Season Two.

One of the things that makes 6FU so great is that it's so real. The characters are 3-dimensional, flawed, and (mostly) likeable. Whenever I watch the show after not having seen it for a month or more, it's like getting together again with old friends. I also respect the show for taking seriously the issues of religion and minority sexual orientation (Amazon.com has previously censored me for using the word that begins with "h"). Half of the main characters are religious, and their views are treated very respectfully. One or two of the main characters are g__ (again trying to avoid the censor) and they are portrayed as real people, with the same joys and sorrows and problems as straight folks.

Bottom line: If you haven't seen 6FU season two yet, you are in for a real treat. Be patient through the first two episodes, though, as their slightly lower quality is not representative of the rest of this outstanding season.

I am seriously displeased with the way HBO has been scheduling the releases of their shows. The first season was released Feb. 2003...and now we get the second season June 2004!!!....oh man...on this rate if the show would to go off the air next season...we have to wait till 2008 to get it!!.

Anywho, the set includes some great episodes and further develops all the members of the Fisher family. In this season, the show begins to depart with basing its entire show around a particular death...and develops some more uniformed and intriguing storyline within the characters themselves. It promptly picks up where the last season ended off with Nate's impending surgery. I'll be first to admit that the first episode is kind of a clunker...but the show never looks back from then on. The last two episodes in particular reach almost unbearable depths of dramatic height especially with all the trails and tribulations concerning the relationship between Nate and Brenda. An engaging, quirky show which truly shows you the emotional levels that a television show can still have on the average viewer. I cant tell you how much I honestly love this show. Highly Recommended!!!

and you know what???...Season 3 is even better! ;) (mb...dec 2005 this time??....ugh....get it together HBO!)

Like many viewers, I don't get HBO, so I got hooked watching Season 1's episodes all at once, on video. The DVD presentation adds commentaries of mixed quality. Writer Jill Solowey opens by wondering why anyone would spend an hour listening to her talk. "You must not have a life if you're here," she says. Unnecessarily demeaning to viewers, as commentaries add a whole layer of enjoyment to the viewing experience.

Other commentators pointed out the old-fashioned Addams family quality of the Fishers, which I hadn't noticed -- but now I see they have an avocado-colored refrigerator! And I see the contrast between the timeless, stifling ambience of the funeral home and the free-spirited world that the family encounters outside.

Season 2's writers faced a major challenge because plots need conflict and at least two sources of conflict have disappeared. Nate has now firmly committed to being a funeral director -- he gets his license early in the season -- and he's firmly allied with his brother's interests. And David, now officially out as a gay man, has a choice of nice dates before ending up (as we always suspected) with the charismatic Keith.

The Christmas episode was my favorite, although it was more satisfying than suspenseful. A group of Harley Davidson riders gathers to honor a fallen comrade, while the Fishers remember their last moments with their father. The biker funeral was a treat. I'd like my own funeral to be a big party too, although I hope my heirs have the sense to demand a cheap cremation rather than a ten thousand dollar box.

As other reviewers have noted, Nate takes the lead this season, possibly because his character seems least controversial and most sympathetic. He's grown into a compassionate, caring person, even befriending a young man dying friendless with pancreatic cancer. Pushing the cremation button seems an odd but sincere act of friendship.

At the same time, I found it hard to like either of Nate's girlfriends -- the neurotic Brenda and the needy, vulnerable Lisa. Nate deserves someone he can respect.

And I disagree with those who call this family "dysfunctional" and "repressed." While the rabbi in Season 2 preaches the importance of total honesty, in fact research shows that marriages often stay together more by what's not said than by openness.

Compared to most families, the Fishers are not bad! Rememer they see each other every day and support one another through tough times. And they do show mutual respect. Ruth may be controlling but she gives her children a lot of space. She even seems a little intimidated by Claire, who was born after the boys were almost grown.

The commentators suggest that the show goes to great lengths for realism. However, in a contemporary police department, Keith would not be on duty while under investigation for killing a citizen. He'd turn over his gun and badge and be off duty with pay. He would also be required -- not advised, required -- to see the police psychologist. These steps probably would have prevented the next tragedy, where Keith lashes out during a domestic violence call.

Seasons 3 to 5 are out, I hear, so we know Nate will recover and go on to more adventures. Other reviewers have suggested issuing Season 3 on DVD as soon as possible. I couldn't agree more!

This has to be my all time favorite TV show. I am counting the days until season 4 arrives on the shelves and it's been a long, hard wait. This family is the epitome of dysfunction and watching their lives unfold can only make you grateful for your own, hopefully more sane life.
I enjoyed the first season on DVD having never seen it on HBO and I don't think I ever got up to do anything else. I devoured all 13 episodes immediately went looking for season 2. I am afraid season 2 wasn't much different. I had to have it all at once and couldn't stop until it was over. This could be a problem I'll have to deal with eventually but for now, there's still season 3.
With its very adult subject matter, this is not a show for kids. Be prepared to get addicted

Six Feet Under is a unique and interesting look at death. Six Feet Under is better than a great majority of the shows on tv. Some say it's like a soap opera with it's progressive storyline and love interests. But I say it's creating a new standard of tv.
The first season was highly addictive for me. I give high kudos to the opening credits...amazing music and opening scenes. The cast is extremely talented and give captavating performance. I am waiting every so patiently for the second season on be released on dvd.

Provocative...enthralling...like I said...highly addictive.

For those of you who have never seen Six Feet Under I would like to recommend if possible to watch from the episode one and go from there. The effect will be more massive. :)

I want to see season #2 so bad.. I don't have HBO.. ahhhhhh!!!! I love the first season so much. please release the second season. please. ahhhhhhh

I can name at least 10 people who are DYING to see the 2nd season of Six Feet Under. I mean come on people! The Sopranos have how many seasons out on DVD? I work at a music store that sells DVD's and it KILLS me to see Saved by the Bell seasons 1 & 2 released when Six Feet under hasn't even released it's second season....I'm afraid I'll CROAK before they decide to release this show which would be kind of ironic but that's beside the point! Please release it SOON!!!!!!!!!!!
thank you

First off, Six Feet Under's first season was stunning, mind blowing, a dazzling piece of eye candy that will no doubt go down in TV history. Alan Ball, the show's creater is a true genuis in all shapes and forms.If for some bizzare reason you don't no about the show heres a brief summary: The show is about a family who make a living as funreal directors. They are the fisher family and live a very interesting life. Each epiosed deals with and people close to them confroting lifes daily issues in very unique and fasinating ways.*For more indepth summry see any reviews for the first season.

Now, here is the second season of Six Feet Under which is in many ways a more darker season then the first and so far the third. I think what made it the best season/show was becuse of the darker subject matter being so well blended with humorous or more light weighted things. It's still very touching, off beat, warm and funny but a few disturbing death's mixed with the character of Brenda, who goes sexual out of control keeps the viewer on teh edge of their seat. In my opinion, Brenda's sexual adventures with starngers was one of the height lights of the show. They were done in a profound and memorobal fasion that was dark but did not turn the viwver off. Brenda is by far the show's most complex and intriging charachter and in this season you really explore what she is feeling and going through. The characters all explore new meanings, problems and love. Claire gets ready for college, Ruth attends a inspiring group known as the plan, David and Keith get back together, Nate deals with his AVM, and as I mentioned Brenda begins having sex with strangers. Its very dark, very fuuny, very sad, very happy, very interesting and its one of the best things ever created- aside from the gloureous and memorizing American Beauty- this season is a must have for anyone. The sooner its released the better. When you buy this DVD you will not regreat it. The DVD will transport you to the haunting realm of Six Feet Under, a place you'll never forget!

the first season is a perfect introduction to the fisher family. in the second season everyone is explored more thoroughly and true colors really begin to show. this is particularly evident in the relationship between nate and brenda. what happens here is totally unbelievable and you find yourself after each episode what the hell are these two doing together. when you watch the series also bookmark the episode where nate travels to seattle and visits and old friend because it has serious implications in the third series. the relationship between david and keith grows and demolishes in this season but it makes for good dramedy. claire just gets cooler with every season, and i love her to death because she is so strong but she is also so vulnerable at the same time. she really becomes more of an adult in this season and we see her start to deal with the adult world and real life and i realize that her ascent into adulthood is very close to actual reality. ruth maintains her stealy outside through most of the season but you see her start to break out a little and try knew things. she begins to date even more this season and it just makes her so interesting. there are so many twists and turn in the second season that it just keeps you wanting more. the fight between nate and brenda is awesome and has been building the whole season. and then there is the cliffhanger ending episode that just makes you want the third season to come right after you finish watching the second season. you really want to know what happens to nate and the first episode of the third season will really throw everyone for a loop....i swear.

The most beautiful and perfect television show of all time. Hard to believe that a show like this can reach the airwaves considering how empty and gross the majority of our culture is. I don't even think of this show as a television show. To me it's art; it's an on-going novel. I will cry when it's over.