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The Worst Episodes of Six Feet Under

Every episode of Six Feet Under ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of Six Feet Under!

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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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  1. #1 Worst Episode
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    Six Feet Under Season 4 Episode 9 - Grinding the Corn
    7.6/10(2147 votes)

    #1 - Grinding the Corn

    S4:E9

    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.

    Director:Alan Caso
    Writer:Rick Cleveland

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  2. Six Feet Under Season 4 Episode 10 - The Black Forest
    7.6/10(2097 votes)

    #2 - The Black Forest

    S4:E10

    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.

    Director:Peter Care
    Writers:Craig Wright, Joey Soloway

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  3. Six Feet Under Season 4 Episode 4 - Can I Come Up Now?
    7.7/10(2159 votes)

    #3 - Can I Come Up Now?

    S4:E4

    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.

    Director:Daniel Minahan
    Writer:Alan Ball

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  4. Six Feet Under Season 3 Episode 2 - You Never Know
    7.8/10(2323 votes)

    #4 - 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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  5. Six Feet Under Season 3 Episode 3 - The Eye Inside
    7.8/10(2290 votes)

    #5 - The Eye Inside

    S3:E3

    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.

    Director:Michael Engler
    Writer:Kate Robin

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  6. Six Feet Under Season 3 Episode 5 - The Trap
    7.8/10(2257 votes)

    #6 - The Trap

    S3:E5

    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.

    Director:Jeremy Podeswa
    Writer:Bruce Eric Kaplan

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  7. Six Feet Under Season 3 Episode 8 - Tears, Bones and Desire
    7.8/10(2276 votes)

    #7 - Tears, Bones and Desire

    S3:E8

    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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Nancy Oliver

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  8. Six Feet Under Season 4 Episode 2 - In Case of Rapture
    7.8/10(2203 votes)

    #8 - In Case of Rapture

    S4:E2

    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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Rick Cleveland

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  9. Six Feet Under Season 1 Episode 7 - Brotherhood
    7.9/10(3189 votes)

    #9 - Brotherhood

    S1:E7

    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

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  10. Six Feet Under Season 2 Episode 9 - Someone Else's Eyes
    7.9/10(2451 votes)

    #10 - Someone Else's Eyes

    S2:E9

    Ruth continues to help an injured Nikolai recover, but her patience is tested when she discovers just how he broke his legs. Brenda's escapades help her to write, but her feelings about being engaged grow more muddled--especially after Billy's release from the hospital.

    Director:Michael Cuesta
    Writer:Alan Ball

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  11. Six Feet Under Season 3 Episode 6 - Making Love Work
    7.9/10(2349 votes)

    #11 - Making Love Work

    S3:E6

    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.

    Director:Kathy Bates
    Writer:Joey Soloway

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  12. Six Feet Under Season 4 Episode 7 - The Dare
    7.9/10(2152 votes)

    #12 - The Dare

    S4:E7

    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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Bruce Eric Kaplan

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  13. Six Feet Under Season 4 Episode 8 - Coming and Going
    7.9/10(2135 votes)

    #13 - Coming and Going

    S4:E8

    Nate and Brenda take Maya on a train ride, getting caught in their tracks when they go a little too far. Meanwhile, David tries to 'sex-orcise' his demons; Keith straightens out a conflict of interest; Federico starts sleeping on the job; Ruth schools George when he treads on her garden; Vanessa and Angelica take some female matters into their own hands; and Claire enjoys 'dancing' with Edie--as a spectator sport.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Unknown

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  14. Six Feet Under Season 5 Episode 2 - Dancing for Me
    7.9/10(2291 votes)

    #14 - Dancing for Me

    S5:E2

    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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  15. Six Feet Under Season 1 Episode 2 - The Will
    8.0/10(3933 votes)

    #15 - The Will

    S1:E2

    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

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  16. Six Feet Under Season 1 Episode 8 - Crossroads
    8.0/10(3091 votes)

    #16 - Crossroads

    S1:E8

    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

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  17. Six Feet Under Season 2 Episode 7 - Back to the Garden
    8.0/10(2511 votes)

    #17 - Back to the Garden

    S2:E7

    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.

    Director:Unknown
    Writer:Joey Soloway

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  18. Six Feet Under Season 3 Episode 7 - Timing & Space
    8.0/10(2259 votes)

    #18 - Timing & Space

    S3:E7

    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.'

    Director:Nicole Holofcener
    Writer:Craig Wright

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  19. Six Feet Under Season 3 Episode 9 - The Opening
    8.0/10(2196 votes)

    #19 - The Opening

    S3:E9

    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.

    Director:Karen Moncrieff
    Writer:Kate Robin

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  20. Six Feet Under Season 4 Episode 3 - Parallel Play
    8.0/10(2280 votes)

    #20 - Parallel Play

    S4:E3

    A group of prank-happy teenagers find their latest joke is no laughing matter. Meanwhile, the Fishers decide to hold a yard sale; David grooms Arthur for a new role; Nate gets intimately involved in Maya's afternoon playgroup; Claire attends an art party; Ruth and George receive some unwanted wedding gifts; Federico gets caught up in family responsibilities; Keith adjusts to the peculiarities of his new job; Joe isn't thrilled by Brenda's yearning for normalcy; and some important memories go up in smoke.

    Director:Jeremy Podeswa
    Writer:Joey Soloway

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  21. Six Feet Under Season 4 Episode 11 - Bomb Shelter
    8.0/10(2131 votes)

    #21 - Bomb Shelter

    S4:E11

    Ruth is giddy about going to a tantric workshop with George, who retreats to the family's emergency shelter. Meanwhile, David's last bite at a sushi restaurant threatens to cost him--and Keith--a lot more than the bill; Nate drops a bomb on Barb, which sparks a counterattack; Claire fights Russell over credit for her latest photos; Margaret's hospital stay helps Brenda and Billy begin to heal their rift; and Vanessa shows she can beat Federico at his own game.

    Director:Nicole Holofcener
    Writer:Scott Buck

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  22. Six Feet Under Season 5 Episode 7 - The Silence
    8.0/10(2226 votes)

    #22 - The Silence

    S5:E7

    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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  23. Six Feet Under Season 2 Episode 6 - In Place of Anger
    8.1/10(2465 votes)

    #23 - In Place of Anger

    S2:E6

    Mitzi Huntley arrives back in Nate and David's lives thanks to a comparison-shopping widow. Meanwhile, Ruth's estranged sister Sarah arrives for an unexpected visit. Later, a vodka-fueled family dinner casts a pall over Nate and Brenda's happy news.

    Director:Michael Engler
    Writer:Unknown

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  24. Six Feet Under Season 2 Episode 10 - The Secret
    8.1/10(2433 votes)

    #24 - The Secret

    S2:E10

    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.

    Director:Alan Poul
    Writer:Bruce Eric Kaplan

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  25. Six Feet Under Season 5 Episode 5 - Eat a Peach
    8.1/10(2188 votes)

    #25 - 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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Worst Episodes Summary

"Grinding the Corn" is the worst rated episode of "Six Feet Under". It scored 7.6/10 based on 2147 votes. Directed by Alan Caso and written by Rick Cleveland, it aired on 8/15/2004. This episode scored 0.0 points lower than the second lowest rated, "The Black Forest".