Nate Fisher is dead and I'm in mourning. Unlike other Six Feet Under fans who knew about this sad end on Sunday, I'd saved the episode on my TiVO because I had to spend the weekend doing some production re-writes for the Blackbeard mini-series now shooting in Thailand (SFU connection: Alan Ball who DP'd on Six Feet Under for several years is also the DP on Blackbeard). But I was waiting for Monday when I could kick back with a glass of Pinot, watch it on the big screen, late at night, no distractions.
I suppose I should have been prepared. After all, it's the last season and Alan Ball, the creator, probably figures that a series about death can tolerate some of its leads not making it out alive. I see his reasons, but I've lost a friend.
This was a show that came on slowly for me. At first I watched a few episodes and didn't love it. Partly this was because, as a kid, I grew up across the street from a funeral home and the people who ran it always creeped me out.
When I was chairman of the TV Academy we did a Six Feet Under panel and I watched a few more episodes in preparation, met all the cast and the writers and producers and from that point on, I was hooked. For three years, I've seen every second.
One of my favorite events in Hollywood has been to attend the HBO Six Feet Under season premiere screening and party to launch every season. Watching an episode before it airs, in a classic theater, talking later with all the talented people involved in the show.
I love all the characters, but Nate was my favorite. Peter Krause -- armed with some wonderful scripts and great direction -- has consistently brought one great performance after another to his role.
I'm sure since, on this show, even being dead doesn't prevent you from being in an episode, that we'll see more of him. But it won't be the same. Because I just loved watching Nate work through his life.
In the final episode, "Ecotone", it was good how he woke up from his coma with his head clear, got to say most of his goodbyes, and move on. Most of us never get that clarity but that's the point of the show. Death happens unexpectedly, more often than not, and even when it's expected, we're usually not prepared. Death sucks, and that's what makes it so powerful.
Nate can probably rest in peace now but we certainly won't. Not yet.
