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The Best Episodes of Six Feet Under

Every episode of Six Feet Under ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Six Feet Under!

Binge this in 2d 9h•Peaking at 8.7/10

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.

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Six Feet Under Season 5 Episode 12 - Everyone's Waiting
    8.7/10(33 votes)

    #1 - Everyone's Waiting

    S5:E12

    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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  2. Six Feet Under Season 5 Episode 10 - All Alone
    8.6/10(14 votes)

    #2 - All Alone

    S5:E10

    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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  3. Six Feet Under Season 2 Episode 13 - The Last Time
    8.5/10(15 votes)

    #3 - The Last Time

    S2:E13

    Fisher & Sons is the subject of an unannounced inspection, which proves surprisingly beneficial for Federico. Meanwhile, Claire's art-school interview takes an unexpected turn, and things grow tense between Keith and David. Also, Nate finds himself at a crossroads, both with Brenda and with his AVM.

    Director:Alan Ball
    Writer:Kate Robin

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  4. Six Feet Under Season 4 Episode 12 - Untitled
    8.5/10(12 votes)

    #4 - Untitled

    S4:E12

    Ruth is delighted to meet George's daughter, but worries as his paranoid 'views' of the future escalate. 'Star' Claire gets high off her newfound fame; Federico pleads his case to Vanessa, who delivers a verdict; David confronts a demon face-to-face; Keith considers a business proposal; and Nate comes to final blows with Barb and Hoyt.

    Director:Alan Ball
    Writer:Nancy Oliver

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  5. Six Feet Under Season 3 Episode 11 - Death Works Overtime
    8.4/10(14 votes)

    #5 - Death Works Overtime

    S3:E11

    Fisher & Diaz is brimming over with activity after a trio of unrelated deaths. Meanwhile, Nate anxiously awaits Lisa's return from Santa Cruz; Vanessa and her sister Angelica enjoy a therapeutic shopping excursion, to Rico's chagrin; Claire grades herself in art school, then takes another important test; and Ruth cries all over a stranger's jacket.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Rick Cleveland

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  6. Six Feet Under Season 2 Episode 12 - I'll Take You
    8.3/10(13 votes)

    #6 - I'll Take You

    S2:E12

    Claire seems to be finding some direction in her life, and a newly serious Billy is an unlikely choice to help her. Tensions between Nate and Brenda finally come to a head, while Keith has a problem that threatens everything he has worked towards in his relationship with David.

    Director:Michael Engler
    Writer:Joey Soloway

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Six Feet Under

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  7. Six Feet Under Season 4 Episode 5 - That's My Dog
    8.3/10(15 votes)

    #7 - That's My Dog

    S4:E5

    With Keith out of town on business, David gets taken for a ride by a hitchhiker. Meanwhile, Nate feels out of place in a bereavement group, Ruth tries to play matchmaker--to George's chagrin, Claire feels empty after a critique of her self-portraits, Brenda and her mom go back to school, and Federico gets an unexpected visitor at work.

    Director:Alan Poul
    Writer:Scott Buck

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  8. Six Feet Under Season 1 Episode 13 - Knock, Knock
    8.1/10(13 votes)

    #8 - Knock, Knock

    S1:E13

    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

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  9. Six Feet Under Season 1 Episode 1 - Pilot
    7.9/10(25 votes)

    #9 - Pilot

    S1:E1

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

    Director:Alan Ball
    Writer:Alan Ball

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  10. Six Feet Under Season 1 Episode 4 - Familia
    7.9/10(15 votes)

    #10 - Familia

    S1:E4

    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

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  11. Six Feet Under Season 1 Episode 6 - The Room
    7.9/10(15 votes)

    #11 - The Room

    S1:E6

    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

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  12. Six Feet Under Season 5 Episode 6 - The Rainbow of Her Reasons
    7.9/10(10 votes)

    #12 - The Rainbow of Her Reasons

    S5:E6

    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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  13. Six Feet Under Season 1 Episode 3 - The Foot
    7.8/10(15 votes)

    #13 - The Foot

    S1:E3

    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

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  14. Six Feet Under Season 4 Episode 6 - Terror Starts At Home
    7.8/10(13 votes)

    #14 - Terror Starts At Home

    S4:E6

    Fisher & Diaz hosts two very different parties in one night. Meanwhile, David is uncomfortable with all the comfort he's receiving; Nate finds temporary relief at a 'canine retreat,' Claire and her art-school friends go on a trip, Ruth grows frustrated with George's "nasty little secrets" and Federico gets his phone wires crossed.

    Director:Miguel Arteta
    Writer:Kate Robin

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  15. Six Feet Under Season 5 Episode 11 - Static
    7.8/10(12 votes)

    #15 - Static

    S5:E11

    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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  16. Six Feet Under Season 3 Episode 10 - Everyone Leaves
    7.7/10(13 votes)

    #16 - Everyone Leaves

    S3:E10

    A bee sting during a family picnic ends a life. Nate tends to Maya while Lisa visits her sister in Santa Cruz. Meanwhile, Vanessa seems back to her old self, to Rico's relief; Russell's decision to share a secret with Claire backfires; Arthur wonders whether he should be mixing laundry with Ruth; and David gets a look at another dysfunctional family.

    Director:Daniel Minahan
    Writer:Scott Buck

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  17. Six Feet Under Season 3 Episode 12 - Twilight
    7.7/10(12 votes)

    #17 - Twilight

    S3:E12

    After a serial killer is executed in Texas, his daughter brings him home for a fitting Fisher & Diaz funeral. Meanwhile, Ruth spends some quality time in the company of George Sibley; David arrives at a crossroads in his relationship with Keith; Rico can't find refuge from his domestic demons; and Nate and Claire get lost in their own separate twilights.

    Director:Kathy Bates
    Writer:Craig Wright

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  18. Six Feet Under Season 5 Episode 1 - A Coat of White Primer
    7.7/10(12 votes)

    #18 - A Coat of White Primer

    S5:E1

    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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  19. Six Feet Under Season 5 Episode 4 - Time Flies
    7.7/10(10 votes)

    #19 - Time Flies

    S5:E4

    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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  20. Six Feet Under Season 5 Episode 5 - Eat a Peach
    7.7/10(10 votes)

    #20 - Eat a Peach

    S5:E5

    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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  21. Six Feet Under Season 1 Episode 9 - Life's Too Short
    7.6/10(13 votes)

    #21 - Life's Too Short

    S1:E9

    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:Unknown

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  22. Six Feet Under Season 2 Episode 2 - Out, Out Brief Candle
    7.6/10(12 votes)

    #22 - Out, Out Brief Candle

    S2:E2

    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.

    Director:Kathy Bates
    Writer:Laurence Andries

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  23. Six Feet Under Season 3 Episode 2 - You Never Know
    7.6/10(14 votes)

    #23 - You Never Know

    S3:E2

    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.

    Director:Michael Cuesta
    Writer:Scott Buck

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  24. Six Feet Under Season 3 Episode 4 - Nobody Sleeps
    7.6/10(14 votes)

    #24 - Nobody Sleeps

    S3:E4

    While the partner of a recently deceased gay man is orchestrating an operatic tribute at Fisher & Diaz, Lisa plans an unwanted birthday party for Ruth. Meanwhile, Claire has a night to remember with Russell and two outlaw art teachers.

    Director:Alan Poul
    Writers:Alan Ball, Rick Cleveland

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  25. Six Feet Under Season 5 Episode 3 - Hold My Hand
    7.6/10(10 votes)

    #25 - Hold My Hand

    S5:E3

    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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Best Episodes Summary

"Everyone's Waiting" is the best rated episode of "Six Feet Under". It scored 8.7/10 based on 33 votes. Directed by Alan Ball and written by Alan Ball, it aired on 8/21/2005. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "All Alone".