Check Out: Six Feet Under

Six Feet Under
2001-2005

On one level, the show is a conventional family drama, dealing with such issues as relationships, infidelity, and religion. At the same time, it is a show distinguished by its unblinking focus on the topic of death, which it explores on multiple levels (personal, religious, and philosophical). Each episode begins with a death — anything from drowning or heart attack to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome — and that death usually sets the tone for each episode, allowing the characters to reflect on their current fortunes and misfortunes in a way that is illuminated by the death and its aftermath. The show also has a strong dosage of dark humor and surrealism running throughout.



The series follows the lives of the Fisher family, who own and run the funeral home 'Fisher & Sons' in Los Angeles. In the first episode, the father, Nathaniel Sr., dies in a car accident. He leaves behind his wife, Ruth, his sons Nathaniel Jr. and David and his daughter, Claire. The first season begins with the Fisher family trying to deal with the loss of a family member while taking care of funeral arrangements for the citizens of Los Angeles.

I had heard of HBO's drama Six Feet Under several times; my parents watched it religiously and it had been recommended to me a number of times. I finally settled down to watch it at the beginning of this school year, and all I can say is: WOW. I watched all of the episodes online, and the series was well worth the occasional frustration of online television sites. This series made me cry (and I mean bawl), laugh till my stomach hurt, and ponder the biggest questions in life.

With 24 Emmy nominations (9 wins), 8 Golden Globe nominations (3 wins) and 8 Screen Actor's Guild nominations (3 wins), it's safe to say that Six Feet Under is an outstanding drama series.



Unfortunately, Six Feet Under finished in 2005 with a fifth season. However, all the seasons are available on DVD and all episodes can be found online at www.sidereel.com. I would strongly recommend this TV series to anyone who enjoys dramas and who can handle mature content.

Below is the trailer for the first season of this fantastic HBO drama.



(* cross posted from the collective blog Collision)

Check Out: The Big Bang Theory

Physicists Leonard and Sheldon understand everything from the inescapable gravitational pull of a black hole to the intricate structure of the atom. But take those atoms and assemble them into a woman, and their comprehension comes to a grinding halt. And when Penny, a women with all those atoms in all the right places, moves in across the hall, Leonard and Sheldon's universe beings to expand in ways they never could have imagined.



After stumbling upon an episode of this hilarious sitcom, I was hooked. The main characters all have their own unique quirks. Sheldon perfectly understands physics but can't understand social interactions. Leonard craves Penny's love and attention but can't seem to put away his love for comic books and video games. Howard considers himself a "ladies' man" even though he still lives with his mother. And Raj can't speak to women unless he's drunk. Combine this band of geeks with a loving yet ditsy girl named Penny, and hilarity ensues.

Also, it doesn't hurt that the theme song was written and performed by The Barenaked Ladies (a personal favourite of mine).



The Big Bang Theory is currently on their third season. It airs Mondays at 9:30pm on CBS. Here's a sneak peek of the first episode of Season 1. Go ahead, click it; you won't regret it!

(* cross posted from the collective blog Collision)

Check Out: Dexter

Since the summer of 2008, I have been hooked on Showtime's Original Series, Dexter. I'm a big fan of this series, just as I know my fellow blogger, Michelle, is. Dexter Morgan is a 30-something blood splatter analyst for the Miami Metro Police Department, with a beautiful girlfriend and a love for steak...oh, and he's also a serial killer.



This series is excellent. Michael C. Hall, who plays Dexter Morgan, is a fantastic actor who really brings the character to life. All of the supporting characters, such as Julie Benz, who plays the girlfriend, Rita, and Jennifer Carpenter, who plays Dexter's sister, Debra Morgan, are perfect. Not only is the acting fantastic, but the storylines so well-written and they really make you think what's wrong and what's right in our world.

Showtime is currently airing episodes for Season 4, the latest episode being episode 7 (out of 12). Although the show is well-into it's fourth season, it's worth spending the time to catch up. I would recommend this series to anyone who enjoys suspense, thrill, dark humour, and has the stomach for a little gore.

Just for a little tease, here is the opening credits. Can you already tell something is wrong with Dexter?


And to incite you even more to share in my obsession, here is the promo for the first season.