WINNER OF 9 EMMYS
Six Feet Under
5 SeasonS | 63 Episodes | TV-MA
When death is your business, what is your life? From Oscar-winning screenwriter Alan Ball (American Beauty) comes this award-winning HBO drama series that takes a darkly comic look at a dysfunctional L.A. family that runs a funeral business. With Peter Krause, Frances Conroy, Michael C. Hall, Lauren Ambrose and Rachel Griffiths.
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In The Game
In the Season Two premiere, a young actress's death prompts her castmates from a slasher film to pitch in for her funeral.
Out, Out Brief Candle
<div class='episode-body-left-aligned' style='text-align: left'><p><b>Directed by</b> Kathy Bates<br><b>Written by</b> Laurence Andries</p><p>A college football player collapses in the heat of practice, and his death haunts Nate and his AVM secret. With Matt Gilardi failing to buy out the "resilient" Fishers, Kroehner's regional director, Mitzi Huntley, decides to take matters into her own hands. Federico asks Nate and David for a down-payment loan for his house, but learns they're buying a "casket wall" display instead. Desperate, his wife Vanessa turns to her sister, Angelica, for help. Brenda invites the man who deflowered her over to dinner; Claire learns that Gabe is carrying some serious excess baggage; Keith frets that his drug-troubled sister Karla is neglecting her daughter, Taylor; and Robbie, Ruth's flower-store co-worker, asks Ruth to witness his graduation from a self-help seminar.</p></div>
The Plan
<div class='episode-body-left-aligned' style='text-align: left'><p><b>Directed by</b> Rose Troche<br><b>Written by</b> Kate Robin</p><p>The husband of a psychic dies, making for some interesting conversations around Fisher & Sons. At Robbie's urging, Ruth enrolls in "The Plan," a marathon self-actualization seminar, and is changed. Claire is angry that Gary, her high-school guidance counselor, has betrayed her confidences about Gabe; she later turns to Keith when Gabe's personality becomes increasingly unstable. Having passed his funeral-director exam, Nate joins his brother for his first L.A. Independent Funeral Directors lunch. Deciding to take a few courses at college, Brenda ends up walking out of a biogenetics class after dissing the teacher.</p></div>
Driving Mr. Mossback
Nate brings Claire to his old stomping ground in Seattle to help him retrieve the body of a man who feared flying.
The Invisible Woman
<div class='episode-body-left-aligned' style='text-align: left'><p><b>Directed by</b> Jeremy Podeswa<br><b>Written by</b> Bruce Eric Kaplan</p><p>Ruth takes a singular interest in the death of a single woman with no friends or relatives. Brenda, in search of a literary muse, turns to one of her massage clients, a prostitute named Melissa. David's promising relationship with Ben Cooper, a public defender, is thrown for a loop when Keith arrives for comfort, albeit briefly. Claire is disgusted with her friend Parker for getting another girl to take her SATs, and is intrigued when Gary admits there's a "sexual tension" between them. And Nate's relationship with Brenda takes an unexpected turn.</p></div>
In Place of Anger
Mitzi Huntley arrives back in Nate and David's lives, thanks to a comparison-shopping widow.
Back to the Garden
A Jewish funeral at Fisher & Sons leads Nate to seek spiritual guidance from an intense female rabbi.
It's The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year
<div class='episode-body-left-aligned' style='text-align: left'><p><b>Directed by</b> Alan Taylor<br><b>Written by</b> Scott Buck</p><p>Christmas signals the one-year anniversary of Nathaniel's death, and gets everyone thinking about their last moments with him. Brenda's book research nearly turns her fantasy world into a reality. Nate and Brenda are shocked by Margaret Chenowith's very special guest for Christmas Eve. Ruth's Christmas dinner brings David closer to Keith; meanwhile, Nikolai is stuck on Ruth's couch for a long convalescence with two broken legs. Claire's taste for bad boys drives her away from a well-meaning new boyfriend, and into an online relationship with a dangerous man from her past. Federico stirs up conflict in his family when he reveals the truth about Ramon. Nate receives a gift from a biker's widow that just might help him live his own life to the fullest.</p></div>
Someone Else's Eyes
<div class='episode-body-left-aligned' style='text-align: left'><p><b>Directed by</b> Michael Cuesta<br><b>Written by</b> Alan Ball</p><p>Nikolai proves to be a terrible patient, and Ruth's limits are tested when she uncovers the truth behind his injuries. Brenda's escapades may be helping her write, but her feelings about being engaged grow more muddled — especially after Billy's release from the hospital. David is happy to get closer to Keith, even as Keith is increasingly troubled by his sister's recurring drug habit and its impact on Taylor. Nate gets some news from ex-flame Lisa that adds to his growing doubts about marriage. Claire can't seem to escape Billy's influence, artistic or otherwise.</p></div>
The Secret
<div class='episode-body-left-aligned' style='text-align: left'><p><b>Directed by</b> Alan Poul<br><b>Written by</b> Bruce Eric Kaplan</p><p>Although David is mending fences with Keith, it becomes apparent that their relationship still needs some ironing out — and Karla's got a secret that isn't going to make the going any smoother. Claire takes a questionable approach to her new photography hobby, and grapples with a future beyond high school. Ruth is ready to move things along with Nikolai, but he might be happy right where he is. Brenda's engagement anxiety leads her and Melissa on a sexual adventure in unlikely Orange County. Nate assesses his past and opens up to Lisa, but her reaction is far from hospitable.</p></div>
The Liar and the Whore
Nate and Brenda find comfort thanks to Rabbi Ari's advice. Ruth's need to control Nikolai and Claire leads to a surprising self-assessment.
I'll Take You
Tensions between Nate and Brenda boil over, while Claire finally finds some direction in her life.
The Last Time
In the Season Two finale, Nate must take action with his AVM while also dealing with a troubled Brenda.
Perfect Circles
In the Season Three premiere, Fisher & Sons has become Fisher & Diaz, and Rico is doing all he can to make sure he's not a "gofer" anymore.
You Never Know
David and Rico are at odds over doing business with the family of a deceased telemarketer.
The Eye Inside
Keith and David find the reality of a resort vacation different than advertised.
Nobody Sleeps
<div class='episode-body-left-aligned' style='text-align: left'><p><b>Directed by</b> Alan Poul<br><b>Written by</b> Rick Cleveland and Alan Ball</p><p>As Ruth's birthday approaches, Lisa decides to throw her a party - despite Nate's attempts to dissuade her. "Maybe your mother likes people to go out of their way on her birthday, but trust me," he tells her, "My mother never wants us to do anything for hers, and we never do. And so far, that's worked out great for everyone."</p><p>But the party turns out to be a huge success; Ruth goes so far as to deem it "one of the finest evenings I ever spent." Lisa serves dinner on the "good-good china," much wine is drunk and, despite Ruth's declaration that "we don't dance in this family," everyone ends up doing just that. Everyone, that is, except Nate, who finds the party - and what he perceives as a growing similarity between his wife and mother - unsettling. He goes off by himself and falls asleep. He's visited by Nathaniel, who suggests that it's he and Nate who are truly alike: "You're a funeral director, which you never wanted to be, just like your old man. You married a woman you knocked up because it was the right thing to do. Just like your old man." When Nate protests that he's different because he loves his family, Nathaniel gently replies, "Buddy boy . . .you think I would have stuck around if I didn't love mine?"</p><p>Claire doesn't attend the party; she's required to go to a lecture for Olivier's class. Afterward, over beers, Olivier informs her that, "Your talent is epic . . .You could change the world." Exhilarated, Claire spends the night with Russell, discussing art, life and her mistaken assessment that he's gay. The next day a genuinely happy Claire tells Ruth, "I just got like, this glimpse of what might be possible."</p><p>On that same day, David also gets a glimpse of what might be possible. A client tells the mourners at his lover's funeral, "I never thought I would be in a relationship at all . . . that no one could possibly love me enough to stick around. But Bob stuck around. And so did I . . . It wasn't always easy, and it wasn't always fun . . .But it was always worth it." When David goes home, he breaks down and tells Keith that he wants them to stay together. As Keith tries to comfort him, David quietly sobs, "I just want it to be worth it."</p></div>
The Trap
Fisher & Diaz deals with the recently discovered body of a man missing for years.
Making Love Work
<div class='episode-body-left-aligned' style='text-align: left'><p><b>Directed by</b> Kathy Bates<br><b>Written by</b> Jill Soloway</p><p>When Nate and Lisa plan a camping trip with friends, Nate is thrilled. "You know," he tells Federico, "in Seattle I was camping every other weekend . . . Nothing I love more than just getting out with my backpack, tent. Where there's nobody." But the trip starts out less than idyllically. Lisa doesn't like to hike and she argues with Nate about the amount of beer and tobacco he wants to consume. To make matters worse, Dana and Todd , despite having a small daughter, are so hot for each other that it's really irritating - and enviable.</p><p>Back in suburbia, Claire and Russell have gotten past the awkwardness of their broken date. While they're working on clay sculptures in Claire's room, she tells Russell that his is "totally perfect." Unfortunately, Olivier doesn't share her opinion; he humiliates Russell in front of the class and dismisses the work as "elephant art." Back in Claire's room, Russell is inconsolable - until Claire, on impulse, kisses him. Russell kisses her back. The kissing leads to sex, which Russell later confesses was his first. Claire is pleased with this development, but is a bit upset with David when he tells her he suspects Russell is gay.</p><p>As for Arthur, Ruth has gotten over her reservations about him. Although Federico counsels the intern, " . . . don't think just because you're living here you have to do things with the Munsters up there," Arthur often shares meals with Ruth, and she goes out of her way to do things for him. When Arthur mentions that he likes the film "Silent Running," Ruth rents a copy and they watch it together. Later, she launders his handkerchief - she finds it charming that he carries one - then sniffs and whispers into it before placing the handkerchief in his dresser drawer.</p><p>Meanwhile, Nate's camping trip is going badly. No one will get stoned or go hiking with him and when he kills a snake that had come close to the children, everyone berates him. He goes off by himself to a spot on a plateau called Suicide Rock, where he falls asleep and has a disturbing dream in which Brenda begs him to kiss her; he does, but then tells her to leave him alone, and she dives off the plateau. Later, he and Lisa have a huge fight in the woods; she accuses him of wanting Maya but not her, and he responds that she won't let him be himself. After a silence, Lisa quietly asks Nate to kiss her. "I want to get better at this," she tells him, "Help me, okay?" They end up on Nate's shirt, on a rock, having the most passionate sex of their relationship. On the drive home, Lisa tells Nate, "God, I've loved you for such a long time." After a moment, he replies:</p><p>"I love you, too, honey."</p></div>
Timing & Space
<div class='episode-body-left-aligned' style='text-align: left'><p><b>Directed by</b> Nicole Holofcener<br><b>Written by</b> Craig Wright</p><p>When he sees Bern Chenowith's obituary in the newspaper, Nate's immediate impulse is to go to Brenda. But first he phones Lisa, who's spending the day at a food fair, and asks her approval. When Lisa says he "totally should" go, Nate needs to find someone to take care of Maya. His first choice, Ruth, is unavailable. She left the house early in the morning, saying something about needing a new gardening hat. The truth, however, is that she was going to follow - or, more precisely, stalk - Arthur as he goes jogging.</p><p>Nate then offers Claire twenty dollars to babysit, but she, too, has plans. She goes to an art supply store with Russell, where they get into an argument over a tube of cobalt blue oil paint. Russell wants to buy it for Claire, but she adamantly refuses, saying that it's too expensive. Russell buys it anyway, and surprises her with it later. "See, I have this theory," he tells her, "that every now and then a person should get what they want right when they want it. It keeps you optimistic."</p><p>David and Keith are unavailable; they're at a brunch at Terry's "humble a-Baudelaire." David has a good time mingling and sipping Mimosas. But Keith hates everything about it, from the guess-the-leading-lady parlor game to Terry's nervous dog that defecates when people look it in the eye. Eventually, Keith reaches the tipping point. "You stay and have fun," he tells David, without rancor, " ...I'll see you back at home."</p><p>Finally, Rico suggests Nate leave Maya with Vanessa. But when Nate goes to their house, he finds Vanessa agitated and on the verge of tears. Nate returns to the funeral home - with Maya - and tells Rico that he's concerned about Vanessa's "intense energy." Rico replies that Vanessa's just been "down in the dumps since her mother died." But even he has come to see that she may need professional help.</p><p>Ultimately, Nate takes Maya with him to Bern's memorial, which is held on the same spot where he and Brenda had planned to be married. The three of them - Nate, Brenda and Maya - sit quietly overlooking the ocean, where Brenda makes a confession. She tells Nate, "You're the first person I ever lost...where it felt like it cost me something." When Nate gets home, Lisa is furious that Maya was at the funeral and that Nate had allowed Brenda to touch her. Before running out of the room she tearfully asks, "Why can't you let her go?"</p><p>Late that night, while Nate is in bed next to his sleeping wife and daughter, he's visited by Bernard Chenowith. Bernard tells him that he doesn't have to worry about Brenda. "You've found your happiness, Nate, " he says, "She'll find hers. It's just a matter of time." Nate replies with a question:</p><p>"And what if I haven't found mine?"</p></div>
Tears, Bones And Desire
After the patriarch of a cultish new-age clan dies, Fisher & Diaz is overrun by the wives and children left behind.
The Opening
The Fishers run into unexpected guests at an art-school benefit featuring works by Claire and company.
Everyone Leaves
<div class='episode-body-left-aligned' style='text-align: left'><p><b>Directed by</b> Dan Minahan<br><b>Written by</b> Scott Buck</p><p>"I need to tell you something."</p><p>When Russell says this, Claire knows immediately that it's not going to be good - and she's right. Her fears about Russell and Olivier are finally confirmed: the day Olivier sent Claire to Azusa, he and Russell had sex. Hurt and angry, Claire tells Russell that she doesn't want to see him again. Heartbroken, she finds solace with her mother, who has just suffered her own romantic disappointment. Frustrated with the progress - or lack of it - of her relationship with Arthur, Ruth asked him whether he's ever had sex. When Arthur replied, "I think I have...in a sense," and changed the topic, Ruth realized that they are not meant for each other. As she and Claire commiserate over cups of tea, Ruth sums up their situation: "I guess we all want to be loved. It's hard to say no to that, no matter who it's coming from."</p><p>David also experienced an eye-opening disappointment. While he and Keith are in San Diego for the funeral of Keith's great aunt, Keith had a violent confrontation with his father. David attempted to intercede, but was bluntly informed that it isn't his place. "This is my family," Keith snarls, "Keep out of it." David quickly exits the Charles' house and when he arrives at the L.A. Greyhound station, Patrick is waiting for him. "I got your message," Patrick says, "...I'll take you home. You can tell me all about it."</p><p>For the Diaz family, however, things briefly appeared to be improving. Vanessa was her old self again; she and Rico had resumed their sex life and Vanessa had even enrolled them in a dance class. Federico was impressed with the pace of his wife's rehabilitation - until he discovered that it was, literally, a speedy recovery; Vanessa had been supplementing her prescribed medication with drugs she took from the hospital. At their dance lesson, Vanessa's drug cocktail finally took full effect. Her heart started to race and she nearly collapsed on the dance floor. When Federico saw how many different pills she had in her purse, he was as shocked and frightened as he was disappointed.</p><p>Brenda and Billy are suffering setbacks as well. Brenda has been staying at Billy's apartment, genuinely enjoying her time with him. But one night, as they're watching a "Nathaniel and Isabel" video, Billy becomes distraught. When Brenda comforts him, he kisses her; affectionately at first, but then his actions become sexual. Horrified, Brenda grabs her purse and sweater and runs out the door.</p><p>She ends up at the Fishers' coach house, where Nate is alone with Maya; Lisa has gone to spend a few days with her sister in Santa Cruz. Brenda tells Nate, "...there was a voice inside my head from the very beginning saying, 'Don't move in with Billy.' And what do I do? I move in with Billy. I'm so self-destructive." Nate contends she's being too hard on herself, telling her, "...you're a good person who deserves to be happy." They embrace and the physical contact quickly becomes passionate. Brenda pulls away, telling Nate, "I'm so sorry. I'm worse than Billy." She leaves and checks into a motel.</p><p>Once again alone with Maya, Nate picks up the phone and calls Lisa's sister. She gives him some unsettling news: although it's been several hours since she started out, Lisa hasn't yet arrived. And, when Nate calls Lisa's cell phone, there's no answer.</p></div>
Death Works Overtime
<div class='episode-body-left-aligned' style='text-align: left'><p><b>Directed by</b> Dan Attias<br><b>Written by</b> Rick Cleveland</p><p>Still no word from Lisa.</p><p>After eighteen hours, dozens of voicemail messages and the filing of a missing person report, Nate still doesn't know where his wife is. And his desperation is growing at an exponential rate. The morning following Lisa's disappearance, Nate phones David and tells him, "I'm starting to freak."</p><p>Nate's not the only one who is afraid for his wife. After the dance class incident, Federico takes Vanessa to a psychiatrist who is shocked to learn the number of medications she's been taking. When Vanessa says that she feels like she's in a hole that keeps getting deeper, the doctor's assessment is blunt: "It probably is." Complicating matters is Vanessa's sister, Angelica, whose idea of being helpful is to take Vanessa on lavish spending sprees and to criticize Federico at every opportunity.</p><p>Creating even more stress for Nate and Federico is the fact that Fisher & Diaz is suddenly inundated with business. In order to manage the huge workload, David and Federico violate some regulations, and nudge some mourners along in order to keep to their tight schedule. When Arthur questions these methods, David gives him some practical advice: "When we're in the weeds like we are today, Arthur, you just gotta move 'em in and move 'em out."</p><p>Similarly, Margaret Chenowith decides that it's time to move out what's left of Bern. She phones Brenda - who has moved into her own apartment - and requests that she join her and Billy to dispose of Bern's cremains. Brenda doesn't want to be around Billy, but her mother won't hear of it. The three of them meet in Margaret's condo, where the grieving widow empties Bern's urn over the balcony railing. "There," she announces, "Now he'll be in Brentwood for all eternity." She spends the rest of the day drinking and plaintively crooning Roberta Flack covers.</p><p>Back at the Fisher house, Ruth deals with her emotions in her usual fashion - by suppressing them. She has stalwartly maintained that Lisa will return unharmed, but eventually even Ruth gives in to despair. When George Sibley, a mourner at a recent funeral, comes to retrieve his glasses, Ruth breaks down in his arms. "I'm so sorry...I've just cried all over your jacket," Ruth tells him, "and you're a complete stranger." Sibley kindly replies, "Not anymore, I'm not."</p><p>Unlike her mother, Claire confronts her problems head on. She once again rebuffs Russell and in a meeting with Olivier, she lets him know exactly what she thinks of him: "When are you going to get over the fact you never became Picasso and now it's too fucking late?" Afterward, she discovers she has another situation to resolve - a home pregnancy test that she takes comes up positive.</p><p>But what about Lisa? Nate does, finally get some news, but it provides no comfort: the police find her car in a state park. But Lisa is nowhere to be found.</p></div>
Twilight
After a serial killer is executed in Texas, his daughter brings him home for a fitting Fisher & Diaz funeral.
I'M Sorry, I'm Lost
In the Season Three finale, Death continues to shuffle its deck randomly for would-be clients of Fisher & Diaz.
Falling Into Place
Season Four premiere. In an attempt to honor Lisa's last wishes, Nate finds himself at odds with her family.
In Case of Rapture
George puts his stamp on the Fisher home, settling into domestic routines that irk Arthur.
Parallel Play
<div class='episode-body-left-aligned' style='text-align: left'><p><b>Directed by</b> Jeremy Podeswa<br><b>Written by</b> Jill Soloway</p><p>David grooms Arthur to handle more funereal duties now that Nate is out of the picture. During Arthur's first intake, David notices Arthur fidgeting with his shabby suit and offers to take him shopping. Keith comes along to get new suits for his upcoming bodyguard stint for a young pop diva named Celeste. While the ever-weird Arthur is in the changing room, the pair speculates whether he is gay or 'A' (asexual).</p><p>Nate attends a Mommy N' Me class and meets a wealthy divorcee who invites him and Maya over for a play date. When Nate arrives, he gets a glimpse of the uncomplicated life that money affords this single mom, a pay-rolled staff on hand to fulfill her every need. With Maya safely in the hands of a watchful nanny, Nate succumbs to the divorcee's comforting charms and sleeps with her. In fact, Nate is so happy in her plush environment that he wants to stay, which leads to some awkwardness and ultimately, the woman asks Nate to leave.</p><p>Much to Claire's annoyance Anita makes plans to join Russell at fellow classmate Jimmy's party. Though it is clear Russell still has feelings for Claire, Claire seems more taken with Edie, who entertains the party guests with her artsy antics. Later, Claire notices Edie playfully fondling another woman and learns from Anita that Edie is a full-out lesbian.</p><p>Brenda and Joe continue to work out the quirks of a new relationship. Joe loses his erection in the always-desperate race for a condom. Later he admits that sexually, he responds best when there is more of a dominatrix role-playing dynamic. Brenda, however, wants a more "normal" sex life. She's afraid of any behavior she associates with her former addictive tendencies. Eventually, she and Joe work things out and Brenda realizes that role-playing can be fun without being deviant.</p><p>Rico is still drawn to Sophia and makes casual references to her quitting the stripping business in lieu of a more stable income-generating job. Sophia breaks down and admits that she has lupus from leaking breast implants. The only way she can feel better is if she can get the expensive operation for a new set of implants-something her health insurance won't cover and she can't afford. Rico offers to give her the money after Sophia tells him she probably won't be able to pay back a loan.</p><p>With George officially ensconced in the Fisher home, Ruth spearheads a family garage sale to get rid of excess stuff. In the meantime, George and Ruth receive another package of feces addressed this time to Mr. and Mrs. George Sibley, in the guise of a late wedding present. Ruth is upset by her inclusion in the package's contents and wonders who would target them. When George jokingly suggests that the package was sent by one of Ruth's scorned lovers, Ruth gets the idea that it's Arthur and confronts him. He denies it, and appears genuinely pained by her accusation.</p><p>Later, David finds a resignation note attached to Arthur's newly purchased suit, a gift from David. Arthur writes that he "no longer feel's comfortable in these surroundings," and David worries that maybe he and Keith unknowingly pressured Arthur into "Gayland" on their recent shopping spree until Claire informs him of Arthur and Ruth's brief affair.</p><p>In the waning hours of the garage sale it becomes clear that a lot of junk will remain unsold. Claire suggests they just burn the rest and Ruth, spotting an unpurchased memento of Arthur's, readily agrees. Nate, who was originally reluctant to sell anything returns home and tosses his bedding into the welcoming flames.</p></div>
Can I Come Up Now?
<div class='episode-body-left-aligned' style='text-align: left'><p><b>Directed by</b> Dan Minahan<br><b>Written by</b> Alan Ball</p><p>David is a little freaked out when his ex-fiancee, Jennifer, calls to ask him to handle her father's funeral. Seeing Jennifer brings up old guilt issues for David, who still feels bad for breaking off their engagement after finally admitting that he was gay. Luckily, Jennifer is engaged to someone new, which relieves David of some guilt. However, when he tries to comfort her at the funeral, she lashes out at him, unleashing years of pent-up anger over David lying to her about his homosexuality. In the end, she is able to forgive him and the closure gives the pair a sense of peace.</p><p>In the midst of David having to re-visit his closeted past with Jennifer, Keith admits that he is still not out on his job. To David's annoyance, Keith asks him to temporarily stop answering their home phone until he's had time to switch his work contact information to his cell phone. Then, at work Keith is singled out by the young pop diva, Celeste, for peeing in her private bathroom and his fellow bodyguards enjoy a good laugh at his expense.</p><p>Inspired by her recent encounter with the fearless Edie, Claire speaks up during a class critique of her friend Anita's artwork and then takes the initiative to ask fellow classmate, Jimmy, out on a date. Claire enjoys her new-found boldness until Jimmy asks her to tell him what she likes sexually and she suddenly reverts back to her former shy self. Later, when she relates the embarrassing story to Anita and Edie, they get Claire to admit that she's never had an orgasm.</p><p>Ruth and George receive another unwanted package in the mail, this time a toy dump truck full of feces. Ruth is ready to call in the authorities to hunt down the suspected Arthur until George reveals that toy dump truck belongs to his estranged son, Kyle-a child he never told Ruth about. Meanwhile, Federico gets increasingly annoyed by Sophia's calls and demands on his time, but is still unwilling to end their relationship.</p><p>Nate's in-laws, Barb and Hoyt, invite Maya on their family trip to Lego-land for the weekend. Temporarily relieved of his parental duties, Nate is not sure what to do with himself and ends up going to see Brenda. Brenda and Joe are in the middle of role-playing sex when Nate unexpectedly knocks on the door. Despite the awkwardness of the initial moment, Brenda invites Nate in and, along with Joe, the three spend a friendly evening together.</p><p>Later, Brenda and Joe have dinner with Margaret, who is now living with Olivier, Claire's and Billy's former art teacher (and Billy's ex-lover). During dinner, Brenda mentions seeing cute pictures of baby Maya and Margaret drunkenly suggests that Brenda wants to have a baby of her own. Later that night, Joe admits that he, too, wants kids and that he's interested in having one with her.</p><p>Nate smokes pot and goes for a run. Things get weird when, from out of nowhere, a dog starts running along side of Nate. In his drugged up state, Nate sees something in the dog's eyes that makes him think of Lisa. He follows the dog to the rundown house of a psychic who tells Nate, cryptically: She isn't dead. She's trying to get back to you. Nate is shaken by the experience and briefly entertains the possibility that Lisa is still alive.</p></div>
That's My Dog
With Keith away, David gets taken for a ride by a hitchhiker. Meanwhile, Nate goes to a bereavement group.
Terror Starts At Home
<div class='episode-body-left-aligned' style='text-align: left'><p><b>Directed by</b> Miguel Arteta<br><b>Written by</b> Kate Robin</p><p>Though Keith expresses concern for David's still-fragile emotional state, David returns to work for the first time since his car-jacking. However, at a family dinner to honor his birthday, David struggles to remain composed as Ruth questions him about his recent ordeal. Then, during a funeral service, David suffers a sudden panic attack. When Claire chances upon him just after it happens, he confides in her and for the first time opens up about the more horrible details of his attack. Though still unstable, David urges Keith to go back to work so he won't miss his chance to go on tour with Celeste.</p><p>Federico accidentally leaves a message for Sophia on his home answering machine, but manages to successfully cover up the mistake to Vanessa. However, during David's birthday party Vanessa becomes suspicious when Ruth mentions meeting an "outgoing" female friend of Vanessa's who had stopped by the funeral home recently to see Federico. When they get home, Vanessa confronts Rico and doesn't seem quite convinced by his complicated explanation of Sophia as a "charity" case.</p><p>Anita moves in with Claire and the pair, along with Edie, begin planning an elaborate art installation. The following day, Jimmy and Russell join in the planning and the group takes drugs, resulting in Claire showing up high to David's birthday dinner. Later that night, still under the influence, Claire takes sexy pictures of Edie rolling around in the grass.</p><p>At George's faculty cocktail party, Ruth overhears a woman telling her friends about a bad cell phone break-up-in which a boyfriend of six months called to break up, lost cell reception and never called again. To Ruth's horror, the woman's boyfriend turns out to be George. When she confronts George about it later, he is infuriatingly vague and brushes off her questions, leaving Ruth sad and confused.</p><p>Brenda is surprised when Joe tells her he found a house for them, which has enough room for a baby if the need should arise. At Joe's suggestion, the two throw caution to the wind and engage in unprotected sex for the first time. However, while shopping for the new house, Brenda suddenly becomes overwhelmed by it all and seeks out Nate for comfort.</p><p>Nate finally makes an effort to get a new job and interviews for a low-stress position at a dog kennel. At the kennel, he embraces his new carefree life and flirts with a young-coworker. He is forced to give it all up, however, after Claire reveals how bad things are for David since the car-jacking. She asks him to return to work at the funeral home for their brother's sake and Nate reluctantly agrees.</p></div>
The Dare
<div class='episode-body-left-aligned' style='text-align: left'><p><b>Directed by</b> Peter Webber<br><b>Written by</b> Bruce Eric Kaplan</p><p>Claire has been staying at David's house since learning the details of his carjacking. But David, embarrassed by his inability to conquer his fears, tells Claire he doesn't need her to stay over any more. At work he busies himself with mindless tasks and then goes home for a sleepless night alone. The following day, David joins Claire and Edie at the movies but leaves suddenly when a dramatic movie preview causes him to have flashbacks to his carjacking. A brief sexual encounter with a bartender only further sets off his irrational fears.</p><p>Claire is oddly thrilled with the finished result of her seductive portrait of Edie. At first she wants to keep the photo to herself, but Edie convinces her to show it at her next class critique. The picture garners accolades from the teacher, but Claire is embarrassed when a fellow student references Edie as Claire's girlfriend. After the pair see a movie together, Edie makes a move on Claire who, though she admits to having strong feelings for Edie, is confused about what those feelings mean. When Edie stops by the following day, Claire agrees to have sex with her friend in order to put her confusion to rest.</p><p>Federico breaks things off with Sophia, convinced that though their relationship isn't sexual it isn't fair to Vanessa and the kids. As a final parting gift, he drops off a package for Sophia's daughter on her doorstep. Unbeknownst to Federico, Vanessa follows him to Sophia's house and is infuriated when her husband's buxom "charity" case takes the package inside. Unable to get a sitter for the kids, Vanessa waits until the following night to confront Rico. She accuses him of cheating on her and kicks him out, sending him straight into the arms of Sophia.</p><p>Ruth continues to try to connect with George. At his casual invitation, she joins him on an exhausting fossil hunt in Topanga Canyon. Dehydrated and annoyed by George's flippant disregard for her comfort, Ruth insists they drop by her sister Sarah's Topanga home. Bettina is visiting Sarah as well and the three women enjoy each other's company, while George isolates himself in front of the TV. Ruth is surprised when Sarah remarks that George's private nature reminds her of Nathaniel. As Sarah puts it: "I guess it's true what they say. We all pick the same person over and over again."</p><p>Brenda and Nate meet for a casual affair in a seedy hotel as they have for the past few weeks. Brenda claims to want to commit to Joe and end things with Nate, but he pegs their on-going affair for what it is-Brenda's fear of intimacy with Joe. Nate: "You can't fool me. I used to be Joe." Nate tries to move on and begin a relationship with his former co-worker from the dog kennel and urges Brenda to try to make things work with Joe. In the end, Brenda admits her infidelity to Joe in the hopes that they can make a new start.</p><p>Keith finally admits to his fellow bodyguard, Javier, that he's gay. To his surprise, Javier tells Celeste and the other bodyguards and then sends Keith a mixed message by writing him a joke note that implies he wants to have sex with Keith. When Keith calls to discuss the note with David, David tells him he no longer wants an open relationship and suddenly breaks down, buckling under the pressure of trying to keep his post-traumatic stress at bay.</p></div>
Coming and Going
Nate and Brenda take Maya on a train ride, getting caught in their tracks when they go a little too far.
Grinding the Corn
Ruth and Bettina take a road trip to Mexico, leaving the men of Fisher & Diaz to some male bonding.
The Black Forest
Nate gives Maya "one last look" at a memorial for Lisa, where some surprise discoveries ensue.
The Bomb Shelter
Ruth is giddy about going to a tantric workshop with George, who retreats to the emergency shelter.
Untitled
<div class='episode-body-left-aligned' style='text-align: left'><p><b>Directed by</b> Alan Ball<br><b>Written by</b> Nancy Oliver</p><p>George has a terrible nightmare connected to his apocalyptic fears; in the dream he is visited by a mysterious woman in a turquoise dress whom he seems to know. Ruth meets George's daughter, Maggie, and is pleased to find that Maggie and George share a close relationship. In a brief moment alone, however, Maggie makes vaguely alarming inquiries into her father's health and supplies Ruth with all her contact information in case Ruth should need to suddenly reach her. Ruth is confused by Maggie's insinuations but is prompted to call her when she chances upon George having a heated conversation with an imaginary person.</p><p>Federico can't adjust to life without his family. Unable to face another lonely night in his depressing little room at the Fisher's house, he spends the night in a parked car on the street overlooking his old house. Desperate to get things back to the way they were, Federico makes a heartfelt and tearful apology to Vanessa. Though Vanessa accepts his apology, she can't forgive him and asks for a divorce.</p><p>Claire prepares for her gallery opening. The stress of her instant fame at first overwhelms her, but she quickly adjusts to being the center of attention. At the opening, a drunken Russell harasses Claire and Billy intercedes on her behalf. Afterwards, Claire and Billy go home together and share a romantic kiss.</p><p>David is traumatized after identifying his carjacker in a police line-up. He decides to confront his abuser in jail in the hopes that it will provide him some closure, but the visit only confuses him more. Keith gets an unexpected call from Roger Pasquese. Worried that Roger is going to renege on their earlier deal, Keith accepts his request to meet with him. To Keith's surprise, the meeting turns out to be a business proposition; Roger wants to hire him to be his personal bodyguard.</p><p>Nate finds a Polaroid of Lisa in a book that Barb's daughter, Michaela, had given to him shortly after Lisa's death. The picture disturbs him, especially when he notices Lisa's outfit is relatively new and concludes that the photograph must have been taken the day she died. Nate drives to Santa Cruz to confront Michaela who directs him to her father. When Nate questions Hoyt about the photograph, he backpedals at first, and then admits that he and Lisa had an on-going affair. Barb overhears Hoyt's confession and when Hoyt realizes she is there, he kills himself, leaving Nate with many unanswered questions. Upon his return home, Nate asks Brenda to marry him. She says yes.</p></div>
A Coat of White Primer
In the Season Five premiere, Ruth dreads George's return from the hospital in light of his recent diagnosis.
Dancing for Me
<div class='episode-body-left-aligned' style='text-align: left'><p><b>Directed by</b> Dan Attias<br><b>Written by</b> Scott Buck</p><p>Nate and Brenda have unprotected sex for the first time since losing the baby, but their lovemaking is cut short when they catch Maya watching them. Brenda declines her mother's offer to get her out of an internship at a free psychiatric clinic, only to find that the job is much more difficult than she imagined. Nate handles the funeral of a former high school buddy and is flooded by memories of his uncomplicated youth.</p><p>David and Keith continue pursuing both adoption and surrogacy in their quest to have a baby. To David's extreme discomfort, Keith suggests they ask Claire to supply them with eggs for the surrogate.</p><p>Ruth shows signs of cracking after months of being Georgeâ€TM's main caregiver and George senses her resentment with increasing guilt. The couple experience temporary relief when George's daughter Maggie comes to visit, but it all quickly falls to pieces once Maggie prepares to leave.</p><p>Claire takes her photography in a new direction and is disappointed when her gallery owner prefers her old direction. Over dinner with a pair of Billy's art contemporaries she is titillated by stories of Billy's wild past. While Claire is inspired by these reminiscences, Billy is reminded how much he's changed.</p><p>Federico is concerned when his new love interest fails to return his calls. Fearing the worst, he gets her building manager to let him in to her apartment and is surprised by what he finds.</p></div>
Hold My Hand
Claire is seduced by Billy's newfound lust for life, but hits a roadblock along the way.
Time Flies
<div class='episode-body-left-aligned' style='text-align: left'><p><b>Directed by</b> Alan Poul<br><b>Written by</b> Craig Wright</p><p>Nate has a milestone 40th birthday and receives the surprising news that Brenda is pregnant. Nate's reaction to the news is less than ecstatic, leaving Brenda to question his desire for another child. Later, Nate comes home to an unwanted surprise party and lets it slip to that Brenda is expecting, creating tension.</p><p>Claire watches in annoyance and horror as Billy sinks deeper into un-medicated madness. Finally fed up with Billy's manic behavior, Claire has an unexpected one-night fling and ends her relationship with Billy.</p><p>David and Keith make an official offer to a surrogate and she accepts. David complains when he and Keith lose most of their day driving Roger's kids to a hair salon, but he quickly changes his tune when Roger's wife pulls some strings to get David and Keith a second shot at adopting a child - leaving them free, once again, to pursue both surrogacy and adoption.</p><p>Ruth admits to her knitting circle that she's tired of dealing with George and his madness. George apologizes to Ruth for all he's put her through, but the sentiment does little to salve past wounds.</p><p>Federico lays into Vanessa for accidentally forgetting to pick up Julio from a play date. The argument leads to romance, resulting in a night of passion. The following morning, however, Vanessa makes it clear that their encounter was a one-time experience.</p></div>
Eat a Peach
<div class='episode-body-left-aligned' style='text-align: left'><p><b>Directed by</b> Daniel Minahan<br><b>Written by</b> Rick Cleveland</p><p>Keith and David attend an adoption picnic, where David makes a connection with a skinny, African-American kid named Anthony. Mary, the woman hired as a surrogate mother, calls with news that she was successfully inseminated. David and Keith are elated but their plans soon change when Mary reveals that she was mistaken. Keith and David decide to foster parent Anthony and his older brother - named Durrell - instead.</p><p>Nate and Brenda argue about how much information they should tell Maya about her biological mother, Lisa. Nate wants to spare Maya the painful truth but Brenda wants the little girl to have a "coherent narrative." They decide the best strategy is to tell Maya what happened, but leave out the more sordid details of the story - including Lisa's relationship with Hoyt and the mystery surrounding her death.</p><p>Ruth confides in her friends from the knitting group that she has lost patience with George and can no longer stand the sound of his voice. Over dinner, Ruth's friends convince her that she's not responsible for taking care of a sick person for the rest of her life. They encourage Ruth to set George up with an apartment and a new job and then let him go. Inspired by the idea, Ruth suggests to George that they move out of the house and "make a fresh start."</p><p>Federico is irate when he learns that Julio bullied another boy at school. He meets with the school principal and cites his recent separation from Vanessa as an explanation for Julio's bad behavior. Vanessa is furious when the principal pulls her aside the next day and knows details about her personal life - including her problems with depression and her recent relationship with Kenny Sims.</p><p>Billy is desperate for closure with Claire. He assures Claire that he's back on his medications, but she still doesn't want to get back together. When Margaret and Billy gang up on Claire at a restaurant and insist that she reconsider, she feels ambushed and slips out the back without saying goodbye.</p></div>
The Rainbow of Her Reasons
<div class='episode-body-left-aligned' style='text-align: left'><p><b>Directed by</b> Mary Harron<br><b>Written by</b> Jill Soloway</p><p>Aunt Sarah comes to the funeral home to bury her friend Fiona, the woman who deflowered Nate when he was fifteen. The funeral provides temporary respite for both Brenda and Nate, who have spent the past few weeks suffering Billy's psychotically detailed analysis of his and Claire's recent break-up.</p><p>Keith and David fight over the best way to handle their new foster charges, Durrell and Anthony. After only two weeks with the children, Keith is ready to throw in the towel, tired of fighting with the caustic Durrell-while David secretly harbors hopes of permanently adopting the brothers. Things finally come to a head when Keith and David get an assessment visit from a social worker.</p><p>Ruth helps George settle into a new apartment all the while planning her escape from the marriage. Sarah's arrival provides Ruth with an excuse to spend a few nights away from George and she revels in the female kinship of Sarah and her high-spirited friends. George remains blissfully unaware of his wife's true intentions until Maggie visits and points out that Ruth's personal affects are conspicuously absent. In the end, George accepts the truth and surprises Ruth by setting her free.</p><p>Claire signs up with a temp agency while she awaits word on her application for an art grant. On her first office job, she quickly discovers the stifling corporate environment is a far cry from the world of art. However, when her grant application is rejected, Claire wonders if maybe the art world isn't for her after all.</p><p>Vanessa enlists the aid of a live-in nanny to help her manage the stress of running the house on her own. But when the nanny uses poor judgment one too many times, Vanessa fires her and invites a thrilled and surprised Federico to move back in.</p></div>
The Silence
<div class='episode-body-left-aligned' style='text-align: left'><p><b>Directed by</b> Joshua Marston<br><b>Written by</b> Bruce Eric Kaplan</p><p>While Keith is working long hours with Roger, David is overwhelmed with parenting responsibilities. Durrell is embarrassed about an upcoming school play and refuses to let Keith and David attend. Despite the boy's wishes, David and Keith go and David relives the glory days when he performed in school musicals.</p><p>Claire meets a lawyer at work named Ted, who takes interest in her art. She joins her office friends for drinks after work, hoping to see him again. At the bar, Claire and Ted talk briefly, but she reveals very little about herself. Later, at the office, Claire opens up to Ted a bit more and admits that she's creatively blocked.</p><p>Federico is frustrated by the lack of passion in his marriage. Despite his best efforts to be amorous, Vanessa is mostly uninterested in sex. When she finally does agree sleep with him, she's eager to get it over with.</p><p>Now that she's no longer taking care of George, Ruth tries to fill her life with other diversions. At a friend's party, she feels hopelessly out of place and can't find anyone her age to talk to. When George asks for a quickie divorce and admits he's fallen in love again, Ruth is in shock. His imminent marriage plans prompt Ruth to warn George's fiancee about his mental illness.</p><p>Blood test results have Brenda and Nate concerned about their unborn child. After speaking with Maggie about the emotional strain of caring for a child with special needs, Nate worries they can't handle the responsibility. Brenda's doctor recommends an amniocentesis to test for problems and Nate insists that she take the test. Brenda refuses, though, convinced that Nate's real problem is an inability to be present for their marriage. She decides to go forward with the pregnancy despite possible complications.</p></div>
Singing for Our Lives
A young Latina's funeral raises questions about the culture -- and future -- of Fisher and Diaz.
Ecotone
<div class='episode-body-left-aligned' style='text-align: left'><p><b>Directed by</b> Daniel Minahan<br><b>Written by</b> Nancy Oliver</p><p>Following Nate's AVM seizure, Maggie follows Nate's ambulance to the hospital. In the emergency waiting room with David, Maggie answers the doctor's questions about Nate's physical and emotional well-being in the moments before he collapsed. Although she doesn't state it explicitly, Maggie reveals that she and Nate had sex earlier in the evening.</p><p>Claire is dismayed to discover that her new boyfriend Ted is a Republican. The pair is heatedly arguing about politics when Claire gets a phone call with news about Nate's seizure. Ted goes with Claire to the hospital and stays by her side in the waiting room all night, earning her trust.</p><p>A doctor at the hospital tells the family that Nate was suffering from a new Arteriovenous malformation which ruptured, causing a hemorrhage in his brain. Nate is rushed into the operating room immediately to stop the bleeding, but during the surgery he slips into a coma.</p><p>Meanwhile, no one in the family is able to reach Ruth because she's camping in the woods with Hiram. Although Ruth isn't in the mood for sex, Hiram is feeling very amorous. When he doesn't want to take no for an answer, Ruth leaves him alone in the tent. The next morning, the two argue and Ruth stomps off into the wilderness by herself. Later, she happens upon a bus filled with Chinese tourists, who give her a ride back to Los Angeles</p><p>While unconscious, Nate dreams that his arm merely fell asleep the night before and there was no seizure. In his alternate, dream life, he and Maggie profess their love for each other, then Nate goes home and calmly asks Brenda for a divorce.</p><p>When Nate wakes from his coma the family delightedly rallies around him. He has some weakness on his left side but the doctors say that with physical therapy he will likely return to normal. Later, Brenda tells Nate that she knows about his affair with Maggie but she's willing to forgive him. Nate surprises Brenda when he says he's tired of fighting and thinks they should give up struggling to keep their marriage together.</p><p>With David seated by Nate's hospital bed, the two brothers take a nap and have a shared dream that they're on a surfing trip with Nathaniel, getting stoned in the back of the Deadwagon. When they arrive at the ocean, Nate jumps in the water and encourages his brother to join him but David suddenly becomes nervous about sharks. When David awakens from the dream, he finds that Nate has died.</p></div>
All Alone
<div class='episode-body-left-aligned' style='text-align: left'><p><b>Directed by</b> Adam Davidson<br><b>Written by</b> Kate Robin</p><p>In the hours following Nate's death from a brain hemorrhage, David copes with his pain by planning his brother's funeral. He explains to Brenda and Ruth that Nate wanted a green funeral with no embalming or casket, just burial in a plot of land that's protected by a nature preserve.</p><p>Keith prepares Anthony and Durrell for Nate's memorial service but is interrupted by a frantic phone call from Roger. A tweaked-out actor named Trevor is trashing Roger's house and Keith needs to get Trevor out of town immediately. At the airport, Trevor reveals that he's seen footage of Keith and Roger having sex; the tryst between the two men was videotaped without Keith's knowledge. Furious at being betrayed, Keith calls Roger and quits his job.</p><p>With Ruth too bereft to take care of herself, Bettina comes to the house to help. When Ruth learns that there will be no preservation or viewing of Nate's body, she becomes even more distraught. She takes the last opportunity to see her son's body by helping David in the prep room as he washes the blood off Nate's scalp.</p><p>Maggie comes by Brenda's house with some food and Brenda accuses her of being responsible for Nate's death, asking, "What is this? Some Quaker thing? You f#$@ someone's husband to death and then bring them a quiche?" Brenda also struggles with how to tell Maya about Nate's death. Her mother Margaret is - unsurprisingly - of little comfort. Brenda soon succumbs to her grief and overwhelming anger with her dead husband. She drops Maya off at the funeral home, asking Ruth to baby-sit for a while.</p><p>Desperate to escape her misery, Claire asks Ted to take her for a drive and they hit the road with no particular destination in mind. Although she's only known him a short time, Claire feels comfortable crying in front of Ted and wonders aloud why she's only able to recall painful memories of her brother. When she's ready, Ted takes her back home and she arrives just in time for Nate's memorial service to begin.</p><p>At the memorial service, David is haunted by images of Jake, the hitchhiker who attacked him. While eulogizing his brother, he suffers a panic attack and has to leave the Slumber Room at once. Federico speaks lovingly of his friend and business partner, and then George surprises everyone with his wisdom and comforting words. Afterwards, Ruth invites George to join the family at Nate's burial in a wooded nature preserve.</p><p>At the burial, David suffers another panic attack and seeks shelter in his car. Without his help, Federico, George, and Keith struggle to carry Nate's body out of the hearse. After Ruth helps David overcome his fears, he joins the family by Nate's open grave and Aunt Sarah reads aloud a poem from the Mystic Odes of Rumi.</p></div>
Static
<div class='episode-body-left-aligned' style='text-align: left'><p><b>Directed by</b> Michael Cuesta<br><b>Written by</b> Craig Wright</p><p>David still struggles with violent nightmares after six weeks of mourning his brother. When he learns about a criminal at large who's abducting children, he becomes overly protective of his sons. Eventually he snaps, and yanks Durrell and Anthony out of school in a panic. Fearing David's unpredictable behavior will upset the boys, Keith sends David away until he can get a hold of himself.</p><p>Maya has been staying at the funeral home for several weeks, where Ruth and George happily care for her together. Ruth decides she wants to have permanent custody of Maya and argues fiercely with Brenda about what's best for the little girl. In a moment of weakness, Brenda allows Ruth to keep Maya for a while longer.</p><p>While Brenda prepares for the arrival of her new baby, who is due in two months, Billy stays with her at the house. Brenda plans to raise Maya and the new baby with Billy's help but after she has a disturbing sex dream about her brother she asks him to move out. Later, Brenda resolves to take Maya home with her for good. She shows up at the funeral home to collect her daughter but goes into labor the moment she arrives.</p><p>Federico is eager to have a business discussion but David is too distracted by his inner demons to help plan the funeral home's future. Meanwhile, Vanessa urges Federico to invest in his own funeral home and they find a property for sale. Federico asks his wife to assist him at the office and Vanessa finds that she has a knack for consoling a grieving client.</p><p>When Claire is drunk and belligerent at the office for several days in a row, Ted confiscates her car keys. She verbally attacks a client at Fisher & Diaz, then fights with Ted and throws a glass of water in his face. Later, Claire drives to the nature preserve to visit Nate's grave, but strange noises frighten her and she speeds away. Trying to avoid a deer in the road, Claire crashes the green hearse. Her car is totaled but she makes $950 selling it for parts.</p></div>
Everyone's Waiting
In the series finale, the Fishers begin the healing process while embracing the future.
