The WORST episodes of Six Feet Under

Every episode of Six Feet Under ever, ranked from worst to best by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The worst episodes of Six Feet Under!

A chronicle of the lives of a dysfunctional family who run an independent funeral home in Los Angeles.

Last Updated: 8/11/2024Network: HBOStatus: Ended
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Brotherhood
star
7.31
995 votes

#1 - Brotherhood

Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired 7/15/2001

Victor Wayne Kovich, PFC January 16, 1971 - April 1, 2001 Billy tries to get in the way of Nate and Brenda's relationship. Ruth invites Hiram over for a family dinner, and also takes a florist job in Nikolai's shop. David meets an open-minded associate priest and votes to keep him on for the church. Claire continues to have problems with school and life in general.

Directors: Jim McBride
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Perfect Circles
star
7.40
859 votes

#2 - Perfect Circles

Season 3 - Episode 1 - Aired 3/2/2003

Nathaniel Samuel Fisher, Jr 1965 - 2002 What would it be like if Nate died? Or, if Nate and Brenda had a kid? Or, if Nathaniel Sr married someone different? Or, if Nate's surgery didn't go so well and he became brain damaged? Or if Nate was an existential redneck? Nate experiences alternate realities but which one does he choose? Fisher & Sons is now Fisher & Diaz, and Rico is taking a stand. He does not want to be a "gofer" anymore, and makes sure everyone knows he is now a partner. Claire becomes "gofer," for 50 bucks a shot, and takes a body to the crematory where she meets a worker named Phil. She plays hooky from art class the next day to be with him. David and Keith start couples therapy, which only seems to anger Keith more. Ruth gets a bit obsessive with her granddaughter Maya, but Lisa puts her in her place. Lisa also deals with the quirkiness of her frenetic boss and landlord, Carol.

Directors: Rodrigo Garcia
Writer: Alan Ball
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The Black Forest
star
7.43
683 votes

#3 - The Black Forest

Season 4 - Episode 10 - Aired 8/22/2004

Robert Duane Wething 1958 - 2004 A drunken Robert falls flat on his face in the mud and dies. Nate, Maya and Brenda go to Idaho to inter Lisa's cremains and get some terrible news. David wants to have a commitment ceremony and adopt a child; Keith does not. Ruth comes home and lays out some new rules. Claire gets really into drugs. Rico tries to reconcile with Vanessa.

Directors: Peter Care
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Timing & Space
star
7.44
732 votes

#4 - Timing & Space

Season 3 - Episode 7 - Aired 4/13/2003

Bernard Asa Chenowith 1939 - 2003 Brenda and Billy's father dies quietly in the hospital. Nate goes to the funeral where he reconnects with Brenda. Lisa leaves for a convention, worrying about Maya as it is the first time she's away from her for a longer period of time. Even though Maya is with Nate. Arthur and Ruth develops their friendship, and Ruth is becoming more and more fascinated with his many talents. David and Keith attends a brunch hosted by some of David's friends. Keith does not fit in and feels very out of place. Claire get a very special gift from Russell. Federico worries about Vanessa and her mood.

Writer: Craig Wright
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Can I Come Up Now?
star
7.45
665 votes

#5 - Can I Come Up Now?

Season 4 - Episode 4 - Aired 7/11/2004

Lawrence Henry Mason 1938 - 2003 David's former fiancée, Jennifer, calls David in the middle of the night. Her father has been killed by a lightning strike and she wants Fisher and Diaz to handle the funeral. Being in contact with her stirs up old feelings of guilt in David. David also finds out that Keith is not out on the job which he finds rather shocking. Nate gets some alone time while Maya spends time with her relatives, but this might not necessarily be a good thing. Claire attempts flirtation with another art student with mixed results. Ruth and George receive yet another package, but this time in a toy dump truck. George suddenly realizes who has been doing the sending of the poo -- a son he's never told Ruth about. Ruth finds the man and decides they should both visit him. Brenda takes Joe to meet her mother and new friend, Olivier Castro-Stahl.

Directors: Dan Minihan
Writer: Alan Ball
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Tears, Bones and Desire
star
7.46
699 votes

#6 - Tears, Bones and Desire

Season 3 - Episode 8 - Aired 4/20/2003

Daddy 1940 - 2003 After the patriarch of a cultish new-age clan dies, Fisher & Diaz is overrun by the wives and children left behind. Meanwhile, Keith gets back at David and his brunch pals during an intense game of paintball, Claire tires of being Olivier's lackey assistant, and Ruth and Arthur savor the smell of clean laundry.

Directors: Daniel Attias
Writer: Nancy Oliver
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Grinding the Corn
star
7.48
606 votes

#7 - Grinding the Corn

Season 4 - Episode 9 - Aired 8/15/2004

Lawrence Tuttle 1969 - 2004 George, Rico and Nate now all living under the same roof have become roommates. In the aftermath of Ruth's leaving, George feels fine, on the contrary for Federico who would like to forget his encounter and go home to his wife and children. Nate and Brenda are back together... with complications. Keith sleeps with a woman. Edie gives Claire the cold shoulder. Nate has a terrible nightmare.

Directors: Alan Caso
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You Never Know
star
7.49
796 votes

#8 - You Never Know

Season 3 - Episode 2 - Aired 3/9/2003

Matthew Clark Hazen 1962 - 2003 Martin Jacobs 1978 - 2003 Andrew Wayne Milne 1952 - 2003 Daniel Grant Showalter 1978 - 2003 Lisa & Nate are having a few problems finding times to be alone. Lisa is still having to deal with all of her employer's issues that seem to pop up at all inappropriate times. Ruth's sister Sarah makes contact with Ruth, and through her Ruth meets a new friend, Bettina. Claire and her new beau Phil seem to be getting hot and heavy, or are they? Claire finds a friend in a fellow art student, Russell. Rico is experiencing the difficulties of being a partner at Fisher & Diaz. Keith ends up having a counseling sessions sans David. Keith is able to voice his opinions a bit better without him.

Directors: Michael Cuesta
Writer: Scott Buck
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The Dare
star
7.50
736 votes

#9 - The Dare

Season 4 - Episode 7 - Aired 8/1/2004

Joan Morrison 1939 - 2004 Claire is developing quite the crush on Edie. She continues to stare at a photo she took of Edie. Wonder what she has in mind. She is staying at David's so he won't have to be alone. Rico finally decides to get rid of his woman on the side, Sophia. She doesn't take it very well, and neither does his wife. Nate is helping out the business while David is still stressing out. He deals with his stress by having cleaning frenzies around the house. Nate and Brenda are having trysts in a seedy Motel. But of course, late at night Nate sees Lisa, and she instructs him to stop seeing Brenda and try to start a relationship with a woman he recently met.

Directors: Peter Webber
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The Foot
star
7.51
1288 votes

#10 - The Foot

Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 6/17/2001

Thomas Alfredo Romano May 16, 1944 - January 21, 2001 The Fishers have decided to sell, but then back out at the last minute because Nate cannot stand Gilardi. Claire finds a rather interesting way to get back at Gabe for spreading rumors about her. Gilardi find his own way of payback. He tells the Fishers that he is buying the rundown house across the street from them in order to provide a cheap alternative to Fisher & Sons. However, mysteriously, the house catches on fire after Nate and Brenda fool around in it.

Directors: John Patterson
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Crossroads
star
7.52
1027 votes

#11 - Crossroads

Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired 7/22/2001

Chloe Margaret Bryant Yorkin January 7, 1959 - April 2001 Riding in a limo, a drunken Chloe is celebrating her new-found freedom with friends. she stands up with her head out the sunroof to scream it to the world... and loses her head, literally. The business is a bit slow these days, so Nate and David decide to rent out a room at the funeral home to supplement the loss. Frederico is being wooed by Kroehner's and he contemplates doing it for the experience and the money. Claire is hiking in the mountains but doesn't really understand the point of it all.

Directors: Allen Coulter
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Someone Else's Eyes
star
7.52
789 votes

#12 - Someone Else's Eyes

Season 2 - Episode 9 - Aired 4/28/2002

Dwight Edgar Garrison 1945 - 2002 Ruth continues to help an injured Nikolai recover, but her patience is tested when she discovers just 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 from the hospital.

Directors: Michael Cuesta
Writer: Alan Ball
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Driving Mr. Mossback
star
7.53
715 votes

#13 - Driving Mr. Mossback

Season 2 - Episode 4 - Aired 3/24/2002

Harold Mossback February 1, 1942 - September 18,2001 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.

Directors: Michael Cuesta
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The Silence
star
7.54
595 votes

#14 - The Silence

Season 5 - Episode 7 - Aired 7/18/2005

Peter Thomas Burns 1948 - 2005 David and Keith struggle to create boundaries. Nate and Brenda receive some ambiguous news. Ruth fills her days with activities leaving no time for relaxation.

Directors: Joshua Marston
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Back to the Garden
star
7.54
783 votes

#15 - Back to the Garden

Season 2 - Episode 7 - Aired 4/14/2002

Jeffrey Marc Shapiro 1963 - 2001 Nate is exposed to a friendly female rabbi at a funeral they have. Claire visits her Aunt Sarah's place and meets a boy that she isn't immediately disgusted by. Keith starts to get less icy towards David.

Directors: Daniel Attias
Writer: Joey Soloway
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The Will
star
7.54
1383 votes

#16 - The Will

Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 6/10/2001

Chandler James Swanson, Jr. July 29, 1967 - January 8, 2001 During a get together around a pool, people discuss a franchise pyramid scheme. Chandler Swanson dives into the pool, but he doesn't come back up. He leaves a wife and an infant daughter. Nathaniel Fisher's will is read and Ruth gets money, stocks and insurance money. Nate & David are both given the funeral business. Claire receives college tuition, but she considers trading it in for cash. In an effort to help the Widow Swanson, Nate starts learning a few things about the funeral business. First up, caskets cannot be rented. By law, a used casket cannot be re-sold.

Directors: Miguel Arteta
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Hold My Hand
star
7.55
683 votes

#17 - Hold My Hand

Season 5 - Episode 3 - Aired 6/20/2005

Loretta Smith Sibley 1908 - 1953 Claire is seduced by Billy's new-found lust for life but hits a roadblock trying to fund the next leg of her educational journey; George is haunted by visions of an early trauma; David and Keith meet Mary; Vanessa encourages Rico to mingle, so he does--at a funeral directors' conference.

Directors: Jeremy Podeswa
Writer: Nancy Oliver
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Terror Starts at Home
star
7.57
757 votes

#18 - Terror Starts at Home

Season 4 - Episode 6 - Aired 7/25/2004

Robert Carl Meinhardt 1962 - 2004 David struggles with the aftermath of his attack. He downplays the incident with his family by telling them he was carjacked. He tries to go back to work, but has very little success. Keith returns to the Celeste tour with hesitation. Rico continues to juggle his two relationships, but starts to find it more difficult. Nate tries to get a job to fill his time. And, of course, he chooses to visit a dog kennel. Perhaps he is looking for Lisa again. Brenda and Joe's relationship goes a step further. Joe has found a house he thinks they should live in, so they can prepare for the coming onslaught of babies. Brenda seems a bit caught off guard by all this, but goes along. The family throws David a birthday party, and in true Fisher form, someone has to be drunk. Claire comes in feeling a little too happy. During her drug-induced haze, she and Edie get closer. Jimmy, Russell, and Anita get a bit closer too.

Directors: Miguel Arteta
Writer: Kate Robin
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The Trap
star
7.59
673 votes

#19 - The Trap

Season 3 - Episode 5 - Aired 3/30/2003

William Aaron Jaffe 1951 - 1975 A couple are in the woods hiking, and come upon an old VW Beetle. The car is rusted and plants have grown over it a bit. The look inside the car and they see someone in it. They open the car door and a bird flies out, however, there is an old skeleton in the front seat. Federico convinces Nate, David and Ruth to hire an apprentice to keep costs down. We also find out more about David's past as well as meet someone from Nate's.

Directors: Jeremy Podeswa
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The Secret
star
7.59
683 votes

#20 - The Secret

Season 2 - Episode 10 - Aired 5/5/2002

Benjamin Srisai 1935 - 2002 Karla has a secret that will affect Keith and David. Ruth prepares to move ahead with Nikolai. Brenda faces anxiety about the engagement.

Directors: Alan Poul
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The New Person
star
7.59
1022 votes

#21 - The New Person

Season 1 - Episode 10 - Aired 8/5/2001

Jonathan Arthur Hanley April 24, 1946 - May 4, 2001 Nate and David hire a replacement for Rico -- Angela. She's very good at what she does, but they have a hard time getting used to her willingness to speak her mind. Billy has a rather surprising gallery exhibit of some of his work.

Directors: Kathy Bates
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The Plan
star
7.60
804 votes

#22 - The Plan

Season 2 - Episode 3 - Aired 3/17/2002

Michael John Piper 1952 - 2001 Nate and David have their first customer for the wall-o-caskets. This mourner is unlike most, though. She can still talk to her deceased husband, and he helps her pick out the casket of his choice. Ruth goes to a ceremony for graduates of a self-improvement class and decides it's something she needs to do too. Nate and David attend a lunch for the Independent Funeral Directors where they vent about their mutual hatred for Kroehner. David and Keith continue to play racquetball together. Claire gets into a bit of trouble because of Gabe and his continuing downward spiral.

Directors: Rose Troche
Writer: Kate Robin
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Bomb Shelter
star
7.60
716 votes

#23 - Bomb Shelter

Season 4 - Episode 11 - Aired 8/29/2004

Edward Gordon Gorodetsky 1956 - 2004 Coco Grimes Gorodetsky 1962 - 2004 Michael Timothy Gorodetsky 1992 - 2004 Amanda Lynn Gorodetsky 1995 - 2004 Ruth is very excited about going on a "Couples Retreat" with George, who is far from enthusiastic. Brenda is excited about having children of her own with Nate. Nate makes a confession to Lisa's parents who threaten him with legal action to take custody of Maya. David is being sued by the victim from his sushi restaurant encounter for $500,000 until Keith gives him a special "gift" to get him to drop the lawsuit. David is asked to come in to pick his carjacker out of a police line-up.

Writer: Scott Buck
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Coming and Going
star
7.60
708 votes

#24 - Coming and Going

Season 4 - Episode 8 - Aired 8/8/2004

James Dubois Marshall 1923 - 2004 It is a typical Sunday morning at Fisher & Diaz Funeral Home, Claire is putting the moves on her new lover Edie, Ruth is pressuring George to go to Catholic mass, Nate goes for a jog and all is well until David announces "that death spared L.A., there are no bodies in the prep room." David & Ruth then leave for church and an older gentleman pulls in, soon after he has a heart attack and dies. Rico decides it's time to go home. Ruth is upset because George is not spending enough time with her. Brenda gets cozy with Nate with a bad ending. David, still recovering from PTSD, welcomes a familiar face from his past. Ruth decides it's time for a change.

Directors: Daniel Attias
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The Eye Inside
star
7.60
740 votes

#25 - The Eye Inside

Season 3 - Episode 3 - Aired 3/16/2003

Callie Renee Mortimer 1984 - 2003 Young Callie comes walking out of a bar and notices a few guys whistling at her. Becoming fearful for her safety, she crosses the street. By the time she realizes it's a group of her friends, it's too late. Lisa takes a major decision without asking Nate. A decision that brings trouble. Ruth and Bettina are getting closer and Ruth is taking some of Bettina's advice, but not all of it is good. Claire and Phil's relationship changes for the worse, but on the upside Claire is getting praised by her teacher. David and Keith go vacation together to try to reconnect with each other.

Directors: Michael Engler
Writer: Kate Robin
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