The Best Episodes of Six Feet Under Season 5

Episode Rankings

1. #1 Fan Favorite
   

   8.4/10(2319 votes)

   #1 - A Coat of White Primer

   S5:E16/6/2005

   Ruth dreads George's return from the hospital in light of his recent diagnosis; Nate and Brenda prep for a big day, but an emergency makes them reconsider; David and Keith discuss alternative parenting options; Rico tries internet dating; and Claire enjoys domestic bliss but crosses a line with her camera.

   Director:Rodrigo García

   Writer:Kate Robin

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   Director:Rodrigo García

   Writer:Kate Robin
2. 

   7.9/10(2177 votes)

   #2 - Dancing for Me

   S5:E26/13/2005

   Nate hangs with some high-school friends but finds that, as adults, they share little more than teenage memories; Ruth gets relief from George's daughter Maggie; Brenda is reluctant to accept Margaret's help and struggles in her new internship; David and Keith's latest baby dream starts to resemble a nightmare; Claire bemoans being pigeonholed by her art; Billy defends his career but secretly wonders what happened to his old self; and Rico, mortified that he couldn't take a dating hint, seeks sympathy from Vanessa.

   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Scott Buck

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   Director:Unknown

   Writer:Scott Buck
3. 

   8.2/10(2122 votes)

   #3 - Hold My Hand

   S5:E36/20/2005

   Claire is seduced by Billy's 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; Brenda feels at home with her new supervisor Jackie; David and Keith meet a fertile young woman named Mary; Vanessa encourages Rico to mingle, so he does--at a funeral directors' conference.

   Director:Jeremy Podeswa

   Writer:Nancy Oliver

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   Director:Jeremy Podeswa

   Writer:Nancy Oliver
4. 

   8.7/10(2429 votes)

   #4 - Time Flies

   S5:E46/27/2005

   Brenda is disturbed by Nate's reaction to her latest news; Ruth shares her feelings about George with her knitting circle; David and Keith 'propose' to Mary and meet Roger's equally unconventional family; Rico is shocked at how Vanessa and the boys are doing; frustrated, George shares a beer and a song with Billy; and Nate comes home to an unpleasant surprise.

   Director:Alan Poul

   Writer:Craig Wright

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   Director:Alan Poul

   Writer:Craig Wright
5. 

   8.1/10(2085 votes)

   #5 - Eat a Peach

   S5:E57/4/2005

   Nate and Brenda discuss giving Maya a 'coherent narrative'; David and Keith await news from Mary, and meet a special little boy; Vanessa is shocked when Julio gets into trouble at school--and mortified when Rico schmoozes things over; Billy invites Claire to dinner, but has no appetite; Margaret helps stage an ambush; and Maggie brings George to a tense meal.

   Director:Daniel Minahan

   Writer:Rick Cleveland

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   Director:Daniel Minahan

   Writer:Rick Cleveland
6. 

   8.5/10(2277 votes)

   #6 - The Rainbow of Her Reasons

   S5:E67/10/2005

   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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   Director:Mary Harron

   Writer:Joey Soloway
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7. 

   8.0/10(2121 votes)

   #7 - The Silence

   S5:E77/18/2005

   David and Keith struggle to create parent-child boundaries; When Brenda and Nate get some ambiguous news, it confirms their views on life and death; Ruth fills her schedule with activities, but has trouble unwinding; Claire meets an interesting guy at work, and makes an effort to fit in; Margaret lets a cat out of the bag; and George drops a bomb on Ruth.

   Director:Joshua Marston

   Writer:Bruce Eric Kaplan

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   Director:Joshua Marston

   Writer:Bruce Eric Kaplan
8. 

   8.7/10(2388 votes)

   #8 - Singing for Our Lives

   S5:E87/25/2005

   A young Latina's funeral raises questions about the culture--and future--of Fisher and Diaz. Meanwhile, David and Keith are upset when they're not in the driver's seat; Claire takes her co-worker Ted to an art school show; Brenda gets vital info from her doctor--and from Jackie; and Ruth goes out for some pampering and gets more than she paid for.

   Director:Matt Shakman

   Writer:Scott Buck

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   Director:Matt Shakman

   Writer:Scott Buck
9. 

   9.5/10(4094 votes)

   #9 - Ecotone

   S5:E97/31/2005

   David and Keith get comfortable with their new family life; Claire is shocked to discover she and Ted share a passion for politics; Ruth finds empowerment in the woods; Maggie is forced to make a series of awkward calls; Brenda faces several truths at once; Rico finally 'gets' Vanessa; and Nate brings the family together against their will.

   Director:Daniel Minahan

   Writer:Nancy Oliver

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   Director:Daniel Minahan

   Writer:Nancy Oliver
10. 

    9.7/10(5820 votes)

    #10 - All Alone

    S5:E108/7/2005

    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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    Director:Adam Davidson

    Writer:Kate Robin
11. 

    9.1/10(3231 votes)

    #11 - Static

    S5:E118/14/2005

    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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    Director:Michael Cuesta

    Writer:Craig Wright
12. 

    9.9/10(16017 votes)

    #12 - Everyone's Waiting

    S5:E128/21/2005

    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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    Director:Alan Ball

    Writer:Alan Ball