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The Best Episodes of Six Feet Under

Every episode of Six Feet Under ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Six Feet Under!

Binge this in 2d 9h•Peaking at 8.8/10

When death is your business, what is your life? For the Fisher family, the world outside of their family-owned funeral home continues to be at least as challenging as—and far less predictable than—the one inside.

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  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Six Feet Under Season 1 Episode 12 - A Private Life
    8.8/10(3202 votes)

    #1 - A Private Life

    S1:E12

    A gay man's murder forces David to confont his own fears about his lifestyle; Brenda's parents and Nate consider getting help for the increasingly troubled Billy...but Brenda isn't so sure that's the answer. Meanwhile, Ruth, Claire and David all share secrets with respective acquaintances.

    Director:Rodrigo García
    Writer:Kate Robin

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  2. Six Feet Under Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot
    8.7/10(5524 votes)

    #2 - Pilot

    S1:E1

    Nate Fisher returns home for the holidays to the shattering news of his father's death.

    Director:Alan Ball
    Writer:Alan Ball

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  3. Six Feet Under Season 1 Episode 13 - Knock, Knock
    8.7/10(3077 votes)

    #3 - Knock, Knock

    S1:E13

    The Fisher family experiences the control-freak side of Tracy Montrose Blaire; Brenda visits a remorseful Billy; David faces problems at his church; Gabe reverts to some bad habits; and Rico finds reason to celebrate.

    Director:Alan Ball
    Writer:Alan Ball

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  4. Six Feet Under Season 1 Episode 6 - The Room
    8.6/10(3458 votes)

    #4 - The Room

    S1:E6

    An ornery widower camps out in the Fisher Funeral Home; sparks fly between Claire and Billy; Ruth spurns Hiram and is later wooed by a Russian florist; David is pursued by a pushy parishioner while performing charity work; and an examination of the business's receipts uncovers some interesting secrets.

    Director:Rodrigo García
    Writer:Christian Taylor

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  5. Six Feet Under Season 1 Episode 9 - Life's Too Short
    8.6/10(3103 votes)

    #5 - Life's Too Short

    S1:E9

    A tragedy reunites Claire with a guy who sullied her reputation at school; David and his new boyfriend run into Keith and his new partner on the disco circuit; and Ruth has an eye-opening camping trip with Hiram.

    Director:Jeremy Podeswa
    Writer:Unknown

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  6. Six Feet Under Season 5 Episode 12 - Everyone's Waiting
    8.6/10(32 votes)

    #6 - Everyone's Waiting

    S5:E12

    David finally embraces a demon; Keith gives tough love; Nathaniel talks to his younger son; Brenda delivers and fights Nate's negativity; Claire gets an exciting call; Ted inspires sexy photos; Margaret is impressed to see Olivier's nurturing side; George's limitations eclipse his intentions; and Claire drives into her future.

    Director:Alan Ball
    Writer:Alan Ball

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Six Feet Under

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  7. Six Feet Under Season 5 Episode 10 - All Alone
    8.5/10(13 votes)

    #7 - All Alone

    S5:E10

    While David attends to family business, Keith makes an embarrassing self-discovery on the job; Brenda is challenged by Nate and answers a hard question for Maya; Margaret compares herself to her daughter; Ruth lets Bettina play nurse; Rico and Vanessa decide to protect their future; Claire is comforted by Ted's squareness; and George makes a speech about love.

    Director:Adam Davidson
    Writer:Kate Robin

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  8. Six Feet Under Season 2 Episode 13 - The Last Time
    8.4/10(14 votes)

    #8 - The Last Time

    S2:E13

    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. Also, Nate finds himself at a crossroads, both with Brenda and with his AVM.

    Director:Alan Ball
    Writer:Kate Robin

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  9. Six Feet Under Season 4 Episode 12 - Untitled
    8.4/10(11 votes)

    #9 - Untitled

    S4:E12

    Ruth is delighted to meet George's daughter, but worries as his paranoid 'views' of the future escalate. 'Star' Claire gets high off her newfound fame; Federico pleads his case to Vanessa, who delivers a verdict; David confronts a demon face-to-face; Keith considers a business proposal; and Nate comes to final blows with Barb and Hoyt.

    Director:Alan Ball
    Writer:Nancy Oliver

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  10. Six Feet Under Season 1 Episode 3 - The Foot
    8.3/10(3614 votes)

    #10 - The Foot

    S1:E3

    When a bakery owner is killed, it's up to Federico to put the pieces back together. The family considers selling the funeral business altogether to Kroehner.

    Director:John Patterson
    Writer:Bruce Eric Kaplan

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  11. Six Feet Under Season 1 Episode 4 - Familia
    8.3/10(3497 votes)

    #11 - Familia

    S1:E4

    After a gang member is killed, the Fishers find that his family's wishes for burial differ from those of his gang leader. Nate's girlfriend Brenda makes an unfavorable impression during a family dinner.

    Director:Lisa Cholodenko
    Writer:Laurence Andries

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  12. Six Feet Under Season 1 Episode 10 - The New Person
    8.3/10(2897 votes)

    #12 - The New Person

    S1:E10

    Nate and David hire an outspoken mortician; Billy's photo gallery exhibit features one particularly surprising shot; and Claire frets over Gabe's inconsistent behavior.

    Director:Kathy Bates
    Writer:Bruce Eric Kaplan

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  13. Six Feet Under Season 1 Episode 11 - The Trip
    8.3/10(2861 votes)

    #13 - The Trip

    S1:E11

    Nate, David and Brenda take an interesting trip to Vegas for a funeral directors' conference; a baby's death from SIDS stuns the family; and Ruth takes a floral-arrangement class.

    Director:Michael Engler
    Writer:Rick Cleveland

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  14. Six Feet Under Season 3 Episode 11 - Death Works Overtime
    8.3/10(13 votes)

    #14 - Death Works Overtime

    S3:E11

    Fisher & Diaz is brimming over with activity after a trio of unrelated deaths. Meanwhile, Nate anxiously awaits Lisa's return from Santa Cruz; Vanessa and her sister Angelica enjoy a therapeutic shopping excursion, to Rico's chagrin; Claire grades herself in art school, then takes another important test; and Ruth cries all over a stranger's jacket.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Rick Cleveland

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  15. Six Feet Under Season 4 Episode 5 - That's My Dog
    8.3/10(14 votes)

    #15 - That's My Dog

    S4:E5

    With Keith out of town on business, David gets taken for a ride by a hitchhiker. Meanwhile, Nate feels out of place in a bereavement group, Ruth tries to play matchmaker--to George's chagrin, Claire feels empty after a critique of her self-portraits, Brenda and her mom go back to school, and Federico gets an unexpected visitor at work.

    Director:Alan Poul
    Writer:Scott Buck

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  16. Six Feet Under Season 1 Episode 5 - An Open Book
    8.2/10(3321 votes)

    #16 - An Open Book

    S1:E5

    Ruth is stunned by the visitors at a porn star's wake; Nate has a strange first meeting with Brenda's brother Billy; and Keith takes issue with David's desire to replace his father as deacon at the family church.

    Director:Kathy Bates
    Writer:Alan Ball

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  17. Six Feet Under Season 2 Episode 12 - I'll Take You
    8.2/10(12 votes)

    #17 - I'll Take You

    S2:E12

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

    Director:Michael Engler
    Writer:Joey Soloway

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  18. Six Feet Under Season 1 Episode 2 - The Will
    8.0/10(3776 votes)

    #18 - The Will

    S1:E2

    After a pyramid scheme owner dies and leaves his wife and baby daughter with a load of debt, Nate offers to loan them a casket. Meanwhile, the Fisher family attend the reading of their father's will.

    Director:Miguel Arteta
    Writer:Christian Williams

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  19. Six Feet Under Season 1 Episode 7 - Brotherhood
    8.0/10(3043 votes)

    #19 - Brotherhood

    S1:E7

    When a young Army vet dies of Gulf War Syndrome, his brother opts for a cremation and disposal of the body; Ruth has Hiram over to cook dinner and then takes a job with Nikolai; David's church involvement results in his casting a very important vote; and Billy interferes with Nate and Brenda's vacation plans.

    Director:Jim McBride
    Writer:Christian Williams

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  20. Six Feet Under Season 1 Episode 8 - Crossroads
    8.0/10(2966 votes)

    #20 - Crossroads

    S1:E8

    In an effort to raise income, Nate and David decide to rent out a room in the funeral home; Claire struggles to grasp the lessons of her outreach hike in the mountains; Ruth attempts to reconcile her feelings about Hiram; Brenda's Aussie friend gets under Nate's skin; and David is buoyed by the news of extra funeral business.

    Director:Allen Coulter
    Writer:Laurence Andries

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  21. Six Feet Under Season 5 Episode 6 - The Rainbow of Her Reasons
    7.8/10(9 votes)

    #21 - The Rainbow of Her Reasons

    S5:E6

    Ruth happily helps 'circle the wagons' when Sarah calls; David and Keith discover it's hard work playing house with Anthony and his brother Durrell; Nate muses on the loss of his first love; Claire finds a temporary financial solution; Vanessa hires a nanny with unexpected talents; Rico gets an offer he can't believe--or refuse.

    Director:Mary Harron
    Writer:Joey Soloway

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  22. Six Feet Under Season 5 Episode 11 - Static
    7.8/10(11 votes)

    #22 - Static

    S5:E11

    As David's fears take over, Keith tries to protect him--and the boys; Billy attends to his sister; Claire goes on a drunken harassment spree and pushes Ted away; Rico pushes for a talk about the business; George tries to help Ruth with Maya; Nate urges Brenda to embrace a taboo; and Vanessa sees the future in a funeral home.

    Director:Michael Cuesta
    Writer:Craig Wright

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  23. Six Feet Under Season 4 Episode 6 - Terror Starts At Home
    7.7/10(12 votes)

    #23 - Terror Starts At Home

    S4:E6

    Fisher & Diaz hosts two very different parties in one night. Meanwhile, David is uncomfortable with all the comfort he's receiving; Nate finds temporary relief at a 'canine retreat,' Claire and her art-school friends go on a trip, Ruth grows frustrated with George's "nasty little secrets" and Federico gets his phone wires crossed.

    Director:Miguel Arteta
    Writer:Kate Robin

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  24. Six Feet Under Season 3 Episode 2 - You Never Know
    7.6/10(13 votes)

    #24 - You Never Know

    S3:E2

    David and Rico are at odds over doing business with the family of a deceased telemarketer, Claire finds she has more in common with a fellow art student named Russell than with Phil, and Ruth meets a new friend, Bettina. Meanwhile, David and Keith get a taste of a different kind of family life and Carol continues to make life miserable for Lisa.

    Director:Michael Cuesta
    Writer:Scott Buck

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  25. Six Feet Under Season 3 Episode 4 - Nobody Sleeps
    7.6/10(13 votes)

    #25 - Nobody Sleeps

    S3:E4

    While the partner of a recently deceased gay man is orchestrating an operatic tribute at Fisher & Diaz, Lisa plans an unwanted birthday party for Ruth. Meanwhile, Claire has a night to remember with Russell and two outlaw art teachers.

    Director:Alan Poul
    Writers:Alan Ball, Rick Cleveland

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Best Episodes Summary

"A Private Life" is the best rated episode of "Six Feet Under". It scored 8.8/10 based on 3202 votes. Directed by Rodrigo García and written by Kate Robin, it aired on 8/19/2001. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "Pilot".