Ruth takes a personal interest in the death of a woman who has no friends or relatives. Meanwhile, Brenda's search for a literary muse prompts her to turn to one of her massage clients--a prostitute named Melissa--and Nate's relationship with Brenda takes an unexpected turn.

David and Keith continue trying to iron out their problems...and Karla has a secret that isn't going to make things any better. Meanwhile, Claire takes a curious approach to photography, Ruth prepares to move ahead with Nikolai and Brenda's engagement anxiety leads her on a sexual adventure with Melissa.

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.

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.

A young actress's death prompts her castmates from a slasher film to pitch in for a cheap funeral at Fisher & Sons. Meanwhile, Ruth arranges a dinner for Nate, David and Claire--and their significant others--after reading a book for parents of gay and lesbian children.

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, a woman who still carries a torch for Nate.

A Jewish funeral at Fisher & Sons leads Nate to seek spiritual guidance from an intense female rabbi. Claire is surprised to meet a guy while visiting her Aunt Sarah. Meanwhile, a medical emergency prompts David to consider giving his relationship with Keith another shot. Federico's jealous suspicions about his cousin Ramon prove to be very misguided.

The Christmas season marks the anniversary of Nathaniel's death...and gets everyone thinking about their last moments with him. Meanwhile, Nate and Brenda are shocked by Margaret Chenowith's Christmas Eve guest, Claire gets into a dangerous online relationship and Federico stirs up trouble in his own family.

Nate and Brenda find comfort thanks to Rabbi Ari's advice. Ruth's need to control the lives of Nikolai and Claire leads her to a surprising self-assessment. Federico's suspicions about an elderly woman's 'natural' death lead him to place Vanessa under scrutiny. A disgruntled former client files a lawsuit against Fisher & Sons.

David's ex-fiancee re-enters his life in search of answers to the question, 'Why me?' Meanwhile, Nate has a psychic rendezvous, Keith's new job sends him into the closet, Federico identifies with David's past, Claire decides not to let life pass her by, George dumps some surprise baggage on Ruth, and Margaret weighs in on daughter Brenda's new relationship.

Ruth and Bettina take a road trip to Mexico, leaving the men of Fisher & Diaz to some male bonding--and comic-book crime-fighting. David and Keith open up after closing their 'open' relationship; Claire warms up to Jimmy after getting the cold shoulder from Edie and Anita; Billy resurfaces as a substitute art teacher; and Nate can't decide what he wants from Brenda, who turns to old friends to treat the pain.

Nate gives Maya 'one last look' at a memorial for Lisa, where some surprise discoveries ensue. David and Keith are inspired by a same-sex wedding; George agrees to Ruth's marriage stipulations; Federico is disturbed by the 'new and improved' Vanessa; Brenda crosses a bridge with her therapy client; and Claire and Billy develop something in the darkroom.

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.

Keith and David find the reality of a resort vacation different than advertised, Ruth learns the meaning of 'express checkout' during a shopping excursion with Bettina, and Claire gets a lesson in 'sick' art from a new teacher.

Fisher & Diaz deal with the recently discovered body of a man missing for years. Meanwhile, Ruth sets the ground rules for a new live-in apprentice named Arthur, David meets an old acquaintance during an L.A. Gay Men's Chorus rehearsal, and Claire is surprised by her responsibilities as Olivier's new assistant.

George puts his stamp on the Fisher home. David cautions Nate about projecting his personal grief onto their clients; Keith applies for a glamorous new job; Joe challenges the logic of Brenda's 12-step plan; Claire reawakens her artistic muse after meeting a free spirit named Edie; and Federico proves that charity doesn't always begin at home.

A nosebleed proves deadly for one audience member queuing up to see the 'Dr. Dave' advice show. Meanwhile, Lisa takes Maya on an illuminating camping trip, and Rico wrestles with the challenges of a double-wide corpse and 'triple X' casket.

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.

Ruth goes on a fossil hunt with George, and digs up Sarah and Bettina. Claire focuses her talents on Edie; Federico tries to unload on Sophia; Vanessa does some part-time detective work; Keith goes 'out' to a bar with his co-workers; David drowns his stress; Nate dares Brenda to be honest with Joe, and receives some relationship advice himself.

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.

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.

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.

A college football player's death during practice bothers Nate, who earlier learned of his own potentially fatal condition. Meanwhile, Federico's request to borrow money from Nate and David is rejected, and he later learns of their newest purchase: a 'casket wall' display.

A group of familiar relatives and friends is united in mourning. Meanwhile, David and Keith play 'Leading Ladies' at brunch with members of the Gay Men's Chorus, Ruth and Arthur perform a rendition of 'My Favorite Things,' and Rico grows increasingly concerned about Vanessa's 'intense energy.'

The Fishers run into some unexpected guests at an art-school benefit featuring works for sale by Claire, Russell and Olivier. Meanwhile, David and Keith have an awkward video-store meeting with Father Jack, then haggle over the 'rules' of three-way sex with a stranger.