This penultimate season of Six Feet Under continues further down the darkly disturbing path so evident in the third season. To be sure, the signature--and ultimately undefinable--blend of tragic mishap with tripped-out comic eccentricity that has stamped the series from its debut remains pervasive. It's the concentration of the mix that has changed. Leavening moments seem less organic, much as the bizarre death sequences that open each episode often turn out to be rather contrived preludes to the ensuing thematic obsessions. Which isn't to say season 4 lacks the delightfully memorable quirkiness fans have grown to expect. Recurring incidents of fecal revenge bring tensions to the surface between Ruth (Frances Conroy) and her new husband George (James Cromwell), in turn leading to young intern Arthur's resignation (Rainn Wilson's spot-on characterization is so enjoyable that his self-imposed exile from the Fisher nest early in the season is a real loss). Ruth meanwhile hooks up again briefly with the irrepressible Bettina (Kathy Bates) for an excursion south of the border.

But brooding glimpses into chaos beneath the surface provide the emotional momentum of this season, right from the opening scene, as Nate (Peter Krause) inevitably gravitates back toward Brenda (Rachel Griffiths) in the aftermath of his wife's death. As usual, writers and directors vary for each episode, but the dark eccentricities of creator Alan Ball's original characters have become more sharply focused and sustained. We seem to spend even more time viewing the world through individual points of view: Nate's roiling anger and grief or Claire's (Lauren Ambrose) newfound sexual and artistic experimentation as she learns about "grinding the corn" and attains respect as a photographer. The toxicity of relationships continues to be a preoccupation. We get the Ruth-George meltdown as well as the painful unraveling of Rico's (Freddy Rodriguez) marriage to Vanessa (Justina Machado). But the most harrowing episode follows David (Michael C. Hall) through an increasingly perilous carjacking. This nightmarish fugue, midway through, ripples out into the rest of the season, posing another threat to his tenuous relationship with Keith (Matthew St. Patrick). It sets a course for further apocalyptic imagery of environmental collapse and fallout shelters. There's little to gentle the downward slide and exposure of vulnerability, save taking refuge in the quirkiness that seems to be the Fishers' birthright. But that, as they say, is to die for. --Thomas May

Studio: Hbo Home Video Release Date: 05/08/2007 Rating: Nr

I consider "Six Feet Under", to be a tremendous movie. It is informative and very much alive throughout all of the seasonal episodes. Second time I've watched it and enjoy every episodes. I would love to see Peter Krause and Michael Hall in a really romantic gay movie. They would be outstanding in it, I am sure

The fourth of five seasons of this highly acclaimed show contains episodes
which never fail to provoke thoughtful reflection. "I've felt that!" "I've thought that!" "I've feared that!" Multi-layered characters involve you in their lives as they evolve. I rarely catch on to series, but this one is a keeper (which is why I'm buying my own DVD's of each season.

If you can't see at least a part of yourself in one of the lead characters, regardless of your sexuality, then you haven't lived :)

It was a great season. It was more depressing than the other, proceeding seasons, but it was still a great season none the less. I definitely recommend it for any previous Six Feet Under fans.

This looks even better with some distance than it did back when it was first shown. Was a wonderful show to begin with, even more special later. Rather than just a with a difference, this season offers up some rough emotions and great drama. A murder mystery and a horrible crime happen in raw old fashioned form. They have great payoffs for a usually quiet show and it doesn't detract from it all all. Death happens in all types of ways or then it doesn't happen. Make sure you watch this season.

...ever. These days, every show claims that it is "darK", if you want to see what a "darK" show really looks like, watch season four of SFU. At 23.99 per season, this is an absolute steal, get all five seasons. Doubt there will ever be a show like this ever again.