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.
The best episode of "Six Feet Under" season 1 is "Pilot", rated 8.7/10 from 4336 user votes. It was directed by Alan Ball and written by Alan Ball. "Pilot" aired on 6/3/2001 and is rated 0.7 point(s) higher than the second highest rated, "The Will".
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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