The Best Episodes of Six Feet Under Season 1

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

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

Director: Alan Ball

Writer: Alan Ball

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

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

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: N/A

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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