What’s this? They only show This is Wonderland every other week? They think people would rather watch specials and miniseries do they? Grumble. Oh well. It’s all behind me now. I have three words for you:
Six. Feet. Under.
Ok, one’s kind of a number, but you get the point. It turns out that the above three words are synonymous with another three words: Best. Show. Ever. Care to explain myself, Damon? Well hey, I guess that’s what I’m here for. It’s the best show on television. Of course it’s only kind of on in Canada because CRTC won’t let us have HBO or some shit (or so I hear). By kind of on.. Showcase has been showing the first season in Canada. In America (God bless her) HBO has shown up to the third episode of the fourth season. What did we Canadians do to deserve this maltreatment? I can’t really say. But at least we’ve been given the internet to set things slightly righter. And right they have been set. And there you have it.
If you want some editorializing, look no further than here. Six Feet Under is about complex and everchanging relationships between almost seven dimensional characters. It’s a little bizarre and outrageous. You’re not always sure what’s actually going on. And through the whole thing you just want to laugh and cry at the same time. Kinda like life. You come to feel you understand the characters and know them almost as well as people you’ve known your whole life, and maybe more than themselves. Their problems and relationships make sense, and you mostly understand and sympathize with both sides. Which can be pretty emotionally riveting. The conflicts and relationships seem familiar, not necessarily because you’ve experienced them yourself, but because there are pieces you can relate to, pieces that are universal and a whole that is as completely real as fiction can be. It’s not necessary to explain who the characters are or what the plot is, even though they are the most important part. You don’t have to know if there’s cops, or redheads, or gay sex, or blood bubbling out of drains. You just have to know that it is a great story, with great characters, and it is told impeccably. After watching an episode you feel reaffirmed of humanity’s worth, and the value of moments and people, and (crazily) actually feel like a better person. So maybe I’m just falling into Alan Ball’s little trap and being converted by his (sometimes not completely subtle) message. But I think it’s one I’ve always agreed with.
(In the above paragraph, every instance of ‘you’, really meant ‘I’. I was just trying to be universal. Oh well.)