After the rather low key Seasons 4 and 5 (great in their own right, but vastly different from Seasons 1, 2 and 3), Weeds seemed like it was heading for it's end. In all honesty, where could this series possibly go? Well, the answer awaits in the immensely rewarding 6th Season.

After the shocking events in the 5th Season's finale, Nancy and the gang (minus Celia, which is a blessing since the show didn't need her anymore), are off on the road. Sending the characters on the run was a risky but inspired move because it exhausts them dramatically, puts them in contact with some wacky people and locations (adding much of the humor missing from Season 5), adds a real sense of urgency and danger and keeps the pace brisk and engaging.

What works best about sending Nancy and Co on the lam is that it also lets the show backtrack it's history, letting the characters come to terms with what they have done over the years. It's in that self reflective nature that the show brings in a wholly unexpected emotional level. The finale here is not necessarily shocking in terms of plot, but shocking for what Nancy does emotionally, when you see it, you will never think she had it in her. Season Six of Weeds is decidedly different in almost every aspect, but it also brings all of the shows past seasons into a greater light.

Since we finally get to really see what is going on under the surface with Nancy, Andy, Silas, Shane and yes, even Doug, we begin to understand their past (before the show started), their actions during the series and then how they react during Season Six. With the writing in such top form, the acting is even better. Mary-Louise Parker is as riveting and unlikeable as ever as Nancy Botwin (though the frustration you feel with her during the season is specifically calculated and snaps into focus during the finale). Justin Kirk really takes the front seat as a father figure and leader, being the emotional ground for which the family stands. Hunter Parrish as Silas gives a haunting, aching performance showing how he is really questioning his role in the family and what he truly wants in life. Alexander Gould as Shane is as dark as can be, but we also get to see beyond that facade and into the soul of a tortured young boy. Kevin Nealon as Doug is not exactly needed but adds some nice comedic touches and the send off (for now at least) of his character is rather poignant. Season Six also has a fantastic array of guest stars including Linda Hamilton, Mark-Paul Gosselaar, a very memorable and funny Richard Dreyfuss and a slew of returning cast members from previous seasons (how these past characters are integrated into the story is very clever).

If you are a long time fan of the series, Season Six of Weeds will be vastly rewarding and emotional for you, it's a complex, decidedly different, and introspective season that rewards in spades. A great show that just keeps getting better.

This Season Six set contains the episodes:
- Thwack
- Felling and Swamping
- A Yippity Sippity
- Bliss
- Boomerang
- A Shoe for a Shoe
- Pinwheels and Whirligigs
- Gentle Puppies
- To Moscow, and Quickly
- Dear-Born Again
- Viking Pride
- Fran Tarkenton
- Theoretical Love Is Not Dead

Warning: contains mild spoilers.

Weeds first started out simply, pot-dealing soccer mom Nancy Botwin tries to make ends meet by introducing the herb in her suburb. However, as Nancy finds her way crawling up the drug-world grapevine, danger and comedy are ensured.

This season was one of the 'lesser' seasons, it did lack focus and seemed like a real road trip at times. The season begins to pick up once Nancy returns to her hometown, ready to flee the country to escape the Mexican Mafia, FBI and her husband who wants her head on a pike, Esteban (Demain Bichir), and his betrayed henchman, Guillermo (Guillermo Diaz).

From Seattle to Colorado and Michigan, we follow the Botwin's on an escape, living off the lam since Shane (Alexander Gould) bludgeoned Mexican VIP and queenpin, Pilar Zuazo (Kate Del Castillo) after she makes her intentions clear in season five's shocking finale.

I like to grade the series by episode for a full analysis of the season.

Episode 1: Thwack!

Fleeing Ren Mar during the aftermath proves to be difficult for Nancy & co. Andy cuts it off with Audra (special guest star Alanis Morissette) and Nancy and her family begin their life on the run. (B+)

Episode 2: Felling and Swamping

The Botwin's assume new identities and head north to hide from Esteban, now on hot pursuit of them. (B+)

Episode 3: A Yippity Sippity

Starting over in Seattle proves hard for the Botwin's as they try to manage their double lives. Silas (Hunter Parish), Nancy (Mary Louise Parker) and Andy (Justin Kirk) get jobs at a Space Needle hotel. Oh, and Shane steals a baby stroller for Stevie/Ahvi! (A-)

Episode 4: Bliss

Nancy gets back into dealing and makes two new friends, a pot-growing lesbian couple (guest starring Linda Hamilton and Sugar). Low on money, she gets a new idea, bubble hash. Nancy's mind just never stops. (A)

Episode 5: Boomerang

One of the best episodes of the series. It had a multi-flustercluck involving Latrice, a hotel maid who finds out Nancy's secret, and Shane gets some blowback from confining in housewives with no lives. Which you should never trust anyway. Seriously. (A+)

Episode 6: A Shoe for a Shoe

A somewhat disappointing conclusion to Shane being kidnapped by Cesar, but overall a strong episode. Ties everything up and feels kind of like a mid-season finale. (B+)

Episode 7: Pinwheels and Whirligigs

A rather plain, and in my opinion the worst episode of the series. Fluffy and light, it lacked the darkness that has been lingering around the Botwin's. Oh, and Doug (Kevin Nealon) officially is freed and with the Botwins. (C)

Episode 8: Gentle Puppies

Forging new identities, the Botwin's become the newest born-again's in Pioneer City 2010. Nancy makes a new friend, and ends up letting her sex drive ruin the Botwin's plans. (B)

Episode 9: To Moscow, and Quickly

Problems with Stevie make Nancy more self-conscious about her questionable decisions and parenting styles. Andy proposes they leave the country... and the plot begins to thicken. The FBI remains to keep an eye out for Nancy. (B+)

Episode 10: Dearborn-Again

Nancy reunites with her eccentric pedophile math teacher who has obsessed about her since she was 15, Mr. Shiff (Richard Dreyfuss) and Shane and Silas start to dig into how Nancy was as a kid. (B+)

Episode 11: Viking Pride

Silas comes to a revelation after learning Judah (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) might not be his real father. Andy creates a new drug, and the search for passports begins (A)

Episode 12: Fran Tarkenton

The crap starts to hit the fan for Nancy, as she no longer has anywhere to run. The whole family is ready to leave the country... but not without Nancy. (A)

Episode 13: Theoretical Love is Not Dead

In this twisty season finale, Nancy makes a decision to finally bring everything full circle. Gin Wigmore's "Hey Ho" plays in an unforgettable montage. Excellent finale. (A+)

Season 6 had some strong episodes, but overall lacked a focus. I like how they came full-circle with the final 4 episodes. Season 7 will begin in Summer of 2011.

Also, I couldn't help but miss Celia (Elizabeth Perkins) and her family (Allie Grant & Andy Midler) after they built her up last season to rival with Nancy.

Overall score: 87% B+

Rated: TV-MA; Strong sexual content, course language, adult situations, violence and mature content including drug references.

LOVED SEASONS 1-3. HATED SEASONS 4-6. And Season 6 may be the worst season of all. The actors seem like they're sleeping walking through their roles, and who can blame them? The writing is absolutely pathetic this season. Season 6 has Nancy & the Family on the run and, boy, do they run. They never stop. Anytime the season starts to get even remotely interesting, like when they get hotel jobs in Seattle, boom, they're gone and on the run again. There's weird random graphic sex scenes with characters who have nothing to do with the story and which leads nowhere. In fact the whole season is pointless and really leads nowhere. No great new characters introduced. No fun juicy dramatic new stories to really get into. Just the family on the run being chased by drug dealers and the FBI. Really??? That's the best you TV writers can do? An entire season of that??? Boring. Totally boring. You get an F.