Six Feet Under

[Nuzzolese]

I heard some great things about this TV series, and that it had won awards. I'd seen a few clips from some episodes, and I knew a little about it so I was so totally jazzed to rent season 1 because I was looking forward to some dark humor and quirkiness.

After the first episode and a half, I was so not jazzed. I was annoyed. Every moment of it screamed IRONY and ANGST. It was like the creators of Igby Goes Down (horrible IMHO) wanted to make a show. It had all the well-to-do, senseless dissatisfaction and forced dialogue of people who want to be dark and clever and sharp and ironic but don't actually have much style about it.

Before watching the show, I adored the idea of each episode beginning with someone dying. But the idea to have the dead person's character literally reappear on screen throughout that episode in forced MEANINGFUL moments was tedious. I read that they do that in every episode.

The daughter was the most annoying character. I got irritated every time she was on screen. I understand she's supposed to be troubled but I couldn't muster any sympathy for her at all, much less any desire to see her anymore.

The comedy was dry and dark, as I had hoped it would be...but it was trying too hard I thought to be ironic and it ended up being unoriginal and it pissed me off, actually. Every moment was full of bratty angst. I can't stand that. It was a pretty big let down.

I considered the idea that the series got really good later on, but every reviewer of it rated the first season just as highly as the later ones.

So I quit watching before the second episode was over and I gave up.

[Tompz]

I love it!

We should hang out.

[cookiepuss]

I'd say if it didn't get you from the begining then you were right to quit watching now.


*shrugs* I love the show. But then again when it first came out my father had just died so I could relate on so many levels.

[YoungRemy]

did you like American Beauty, Nuzz?

[Nuzzolese]

Nah

[Rock]

I compare Six Feet Under with 24. Great idea, but horrible execution.

[cookiepuss]

did you like American Beauty, Nuzz?

I was going to say the same thing. Since it's the same writer, if you don't like one you likely won't like the other.

[Yeti]

You have to keep watching to see Dwight Schrute.

[Rock]

You have to keep watching to see Dwight Schrute.

Dwight Schrute was in my Super Ex Girlfriend, but I don't think anyone should see that even if they are in "The Dwight Army of Champions".

[insertnamehere]

The show really progresses. I'm in... I think at the very end of the third season, and a lot changes. Every season has your character that you hate, and in the beginning it's Claire. Later it will be Brenda and finally Rico. I am still in love with Frederico, though. The show starts being less about the people who die and more about the actual characters, and the dead still do show up sometimes, but no all the time.

Overall I love the show and I can't wait to get back to watching it. The owner of the DVD boxed set has been away all summer.

I can see how you wouldn't like it in the beginning, it starts off a little strong, but it grows on you.

Unless, I guess you hate it so much that you can't finish the first two episodes. Then maybe it doesn't grow on you.

[Nuzzolese]

I guess I thought it would be funnier. I got that from some of the previews which made it look a little Twin Peaks-ish, strange and silly.

[NicRN77]

Six Feet Under was one of the best shows ever. Hands down.

[insertnamehere]

I think it's funny, in a "wow that's ridiculous" kind of way. Or even just in a regular funny way.

I'm not familiar with Twin Peaks, but I'm guessing that's like good family fun where everyone can have a hearty laugh together, and it's defiantly not that.

Six Feet got me over that awkward wanting to look away feeling when two guys kiss.

[YoungRemy]

I'm not familiar with Twin Peaks, but I'm guessing that's like good family fun where everyone can have a hearty laugh together, and it's defiantly not that.




not quite...its more creepy, mysterious, surreal, what just happened, David Lynch material

[cookiepuss]

I guess I thought it would be funnier. I got that from some of the previews which made it look a little Twin Peaks-ish, strange and silly.

death is not all that funny. well sometimes it is...but...uh yeah Six feet Under isn't "comedy", it's drama with a few humorous parts mixed in. so I see why you were dissapointed.

[Big Gus]

The first series was OK. Then it started to suck balls...

[Randetica]

never got into it

cant be worse than weeds or nip tuck

[DIGI]

You have to keep watching to see Dwight Schrute.

Eh, I'll just watch him in Almost Famous instead.

[DandyFop]

I loved this show because it was able to touch on so many aspects of the characters that you would never read in a film. Went in many directions I never even thought of. I love it (y)

[insertnamehere]

death is not all that funny. well sometimes it is...

case in point: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lp9KwrROuTU

[DandyFop]

I loved this show because it was able to touch on so many aspects of the characters that you would never read in a film. Went in many directions I never even thought of. I love it (y)

Uh I mean see. Not read. tired.

[Nuzzolese]

Death is already dark. I got the feeling they were trying to make it even darker and moodier. I don't want to watch material that says "life is seriously fucked up, man" unless it offers some comic relief or insights, not just some already dissatisfied rich people growling at each other.

What I would love to see is a TV series where they made fun of the dark, irony-loving, almost nihilist attitude that is so popular or was recently so popular. You know, all those bret easton ellis/chuck palahniuk fans who like to pretend it's cool to show how jaded and emotionless society has made us.

Which reminds me, I did like part of the first episode. I liked the ending, when the oldest son made his speech about the sanitized way we have made death so that we have to push our feelings inside. I liked what he did there.



By the way, do they do those fake commercials throughout the show? The ones that look like commercials from the 50s for shoe polish or oven cleaner - but instead are for embalming fluid. Oh how ironic, oh my god nobody in life cares about real shit. :rolleyes:

[Kid Presentable]

Personally I'd say stick with it. It has its devices, and one of those is a kind of angst that requires you suspend your disbelief for a time.

But, when it gets it right it really gets it right. The particular strength of the show comes to be its crafty characterisations, not simply the tricks and ploys of darkly observationist drama. If you can invest a little time in the people on the show, it comes off pretty nice.

Fuck it. It's a TV show. It won't change your life, and it's not like you're not spoiled for choice. I suggest it's your loss, but it can't be for everybody. Probably a little sanitised for what it promises, perhaps. But it's still one of my favourite shows.

Fundamentally, you probably can afford to say you didn't like it because you only rented it; it's a little more disposable. How many people find themselves liking stuff becuase they bought it (ie; spent their hard-earned money on it?)?
Maybe that's the case. I like it lots because I'd better do so for what I paid.

Anyway, good show for those that find it a good show.

[cookiepuss]

Death is already dark. I got the feeling they were trying to make it even darker and moodier. I don't want to watch material that says "life is seriously fucked up, man" unless it offers some comic relief or insights, not just some already dissatisfied rich people growling at each other.....



By the way, do they do those fake commercials throughout the show? The ones that look like commercials from the 50s for shoe polish or oven cleaner - but instead are for embalming fluid. Oh how ironic, oh my god nobody in life cares about real shit. :rolleyes:

See I don't think they are trying to make death darker and moodier at all. And what dissatissfied rich people growling at eachother are you speaking of? Most of the characters are not particularly wealthy...except for ummm..what's her names disfuctional psychatrists parents.

Maybe you didn't give the show enough time...cause the more you talk about it, the more it seems like you don't get it at all.

no they don't do the fake commercials through the whole thing. that was probably my least favorite part of the first few episodes.

[cosmo105]

the pilot's a really horrible representation of the show - they usually are. the writing got a lot better down the line.

[Nuzzolese]

I did like the mother character, and I liked Frederico (I like that actor)

[HEIRESS]

I spent/wasted many a merry saturday afternoon at my parents house last year watching episodes that my mom had rented.

(y)

[Dorothy Wood]

the pilot's a really horrible representation of the show - they usually are. the writing got a lot better down the line.

agree.

I started watching when the 3rd season was on HBO and fell in love with it even though I didn't really know what was happening with all the characters. then cort and I backtracked and rented all of the seasons. I was put off by the first couple of episodes, pretty much the way I was put off by the first episodes of Sex and the City. the writing definitely gets richer and the emotions more real.

you'll probably always hate claire. I did, especially after her first year in art school. blech, she just turned into a caricature of what middle aged men thought art students were like.

[DIGI]

never got into it

cant be worse than weeds or nip tuck

I found nothing good about the first season of Weeds, but season 2 was good and I've liked what I saw from season 3 so far.

[Bitchamachacha]

agree.

I started watching when the 3rd season was on HBO and fell in love with it even though I didn't really know what was happening with all the characters. then cort and I backtracked and rented all of the seasons. I was put off by the first couple of episodes, pretty much the way I was put off by the first episodes of Sex and the City. the writing definitely gets richer and the emotions more real.

you'll probably always hate claire. I did, especially after her first year in art school. blech, she just turned into a caricature of what middle aged men thought art students were like.


Agreed.

I started watching mid-second season and LOVED it. I wanted to slap Claire and screw Nate.



:D

[Lyman Zerga]

I found nothing good about the first season of Weeds, but season 2 was good and I've liked what I saw from season 3 so far.

is this show supposed to be funny? sarcastic? realistic? "different"? or just plain stupid, huh? i seriously dont get it

all i saw was people talking nasty/kinky stuff, a kid getting wanked by a hooker :confused: and people farting all the time and the rest is just boring drug talk


but whatever floats your goat!