In the Season Two premiere, a young actress's death prompts her castmates from a slasher film to pitch in (more or less) for a cheap funeral at Fisher & Sons. Meanwhile, Ruth arranges a dinner for Nate, David and Claire--and their significant others.

A football player's death bothers Nate, who earlier learned of his own potentially fatal condition. Meanwhile, Federico's request to borrow money from Nate and David is rejected, and he later learns of their newest purchase: a 'casket wall' display.

The death of a psychic's husband sparks some interesting conversation. Meanwhile, Ruth is changed after attending a lengthy self-actualization seminar; Claire is upset to learn that her guidance counselor has betrayed her confidence.

Nate brings Claire to his old stomping ground in Seattle to help him retrieve the body of a man who feared flying. There, they stay with Lisa (Lili Taylor), a woman who still carries a torch for Nate.

Ruth takes a personal interest in the death of a woman who has no friends or relatives. Meanwhile, Brenda's search for a literary muse prompts her to turn to one of her massage clients and Nate's relationship with Brenda takes an unexpected turn.

Mitzi Huntley arrives back in Nate and David's lives thanks to a comparison-shopping widow. Ruth's estranged sister Sarah arrives for a visit. A vodka-fueled family dinner casts a pall over Nate and Brenda's happy news.

A Jewish funeral at Fisher & Sons leads Nate to seek spiritual guidance from an intense female rabbi. Claire meets a guy while visiting her Aunt Sarah. A medical emergency prompts David to consider giving his relationship with Keith another shot.

The Christmas season marks the anniversary of Nathaniel's death...and gets everyone thinking about their last moments with him. Meanwhile, Nate and Brenda are shocked by Margaret Chenowith's Christmas Eve guest.

Ruth continues to help an injured Nikolai recover, but her patience is tested when she learns how he broke his legs. Brenda's escapades help her to write, but her feelings about being engaged grow more muddled--especially after Billy's release.

David and Keith continue trying to iron out their problems...and Karla has a secret that isn't going to make things any better. Meanwhile, Claire takes a curious approach to photography and Brenda's engagement anxiety leads her on a sexual adventure.

Nate and Brenda find comfort in Rabbi Ari's advice. Ruth's need to control the lives of Nikolai and Claire leads her to a surprising self-assessment. Federico's suspicions about an elderly woman's death lead him to place Vanessa under scrutiny.

Claire begins to find some direction in her life, and a newly serious Billy is an unlikely choice to help. Tensions between Nate and Brenda finally come to a head, while Keith has a problem that threatens everything he has worked for with David.

In the Season Two finale, Fisher & Sons is the subject of an unannounced inspection, which proves surprisingly beneficial for Federico. Meanwhile, Claire's art-school interview takes an unexpected turn, and things grow tense between Keith and David.