SIX FEET UNDER: NOBODY SLEEPS (TV)
Summary
One in this series about the Fisher clan, a loving -- if dysfunctional -- family struggling to maintain a sense of normalcy in the face of the stressful day-to-day operations of the eccentric family business, a funeral home in Los Angeles. In this episode, Bob Giffen passes away from cardiomyopathy with his long-term partner Kevin by his side, and Nate experiences strangely Freudian dreams as Lisa prepares to throw a birthday party for Ruth, though he tells her that Ruth dislikes being fussed over. David too disapproves of the idea, though Keith wants to attend, and Ruth spends the morning of her birthday at the dentist with Bettina, who soon gets into an argument with the unhelpful receptionist. Kevin, also a member of the Gay Men's Chorus, tells the brothers about his twenty-two-year relationship with Bob and, explaining that they both worked behind the scenes at the opera, asks permission to design an elaborate theatrical set at the home for the funeral. Rico objects to the time-consuming idea, though David observes that he finds it "too gay" and declares that they will go through with it. Bettina convinces Ruth to get a professional massage, and Ruth confesses her affair with Hiram to her new friend.
David and Nate observe the construction of the set for "Turandot," Puccini's final, unfinished opera, and they are surprised when Kevin casually reveals that his relationship with Bob was never monogamous. Claire tells Lisa about Phil, who hints that she too had to wait for Nate "to grow up," and Nate seems unnerved when he spots the strange similarities between his wife and his mother. David and Rico are surprised to find "a Prince Albert" on Bob's body, and Rico awkwardly asks a few questions about gay life and sexuality. Claire and Russell attend a lecture by a famous political artist, Scott Philip Smith, and Olivier introduces them afterwards and Scott invites them out for drinks. Lisa is taken aback when Bettina arrives for Ruth's birthday and immediately livens things up, and though everyone is entertained by Keith and David's vacation photos, the brothers agree that the party is indeed "weird." Olivier and Scott banter aggressively at the bar and question the two younger artists about their passions, with Scott also wondering if Claire and Russell are dating. Later, they admit to Olivier that they find Scott's work somewhat "on-the-nose," and Olivier states that Russell will be greatly financially successful with his art, though it is Claire whose talent is "epic."
Nate observes that he had a dream that resembles the party scene, though he again feels a strange discomfort with Lisa and Ruth's bond. They examine the opera set, though Nate sneaks off to smoke alone, and Claire and Russell observe a modern art installation and having a meaningful conversation about the true meaning of success. While the other party guests dance, Nate dreams of Nathaniel, who hints that Nate is turning into his own father with his secret getaway room, though Nate angrily states that he has not "given up." Russell tells Claire that he envies her unusual upbringing and adds that he is not gay, contrary to popular belief, and Kevin gives a sweet and funny speech at Bob's funeral, explaining that their relationship was not always easy but was certainly "worth it." Nate, David and Rico all seem affected by the ceremony, particularly the "Nessun Dorma" solo, and David emotionally tells Keith that he wants their relationship too to last for many years. Nate thanks Lisa for Ruth's party and states that he is proud of the strength of their family, though she questions if he finds it difficult to commit to his role as husband and father. Ruth tells Claire about her unexpectedly wonderful birthday, and Claire reveals that her evening was surprisingly meaningful as well and invites her out to lunch and a museum, wanting to share her newfound revelations with her mother.
Details
- NETWORK: HBO
- DATE: March 23, 2003 9:00 PM
- RUNNING TIME: 0:51:13
- COLOR/B&W: Color
- CATALOG ID: B:77112
- GENRE: Drama
- SUBJECT HEADING: Drama; Comedy; Families; LGBT Collection
- SERIES RUN: HBO - TV series, 2001-2005
- COMMERCIALS: N/A
CREDITS
- Robert Greenblatt … Executive Producer
- David Janollari … Executive Producer
- Alan Poul … Executive Producer, Director
- Alan Ball … Executive Producer, Created by, Writer
- Bruce Eric Kaplan … Co-Executive Producer
- Jill Soloway … Supervising Producer
- Scott Buck … Supervising Producer
- Rick Cleveland … Supervising Producer, Writer
- Robert Del Valle … Producer
- Kate Robin … Producer
- Lori Jo Nemhauser … Co-Producer
- Michael Carroll … Associate Producer
- Richard Marvin … Music by
- Thomas Newman … Theme Music by
- Peter Krause … Cast, Nate Fisher
- Michael C. Hall … Cast, David Fisher
- Frances Conroy … Cast, Ruth Fisher
- Lauren Ambrose … Cast, Claire Fisher
- Freddy Rodriguez … Cast, Federico Diaz
- Mathew St. Patrick … Cast, Keith Charles
- Rachel Griffiths … Cast, Brenda Chenowith
- Lili Taylor … Cast, Lisa Kimmel Fisher
- Ben Foster … Cast, Russell Corwin
- Kathy Bates … Cast, Bettina
- Richard Jenkins … Cast, Nathaniel Fisher
- Dennis Christopher … Cast, Kevin Lamb
- Peter Macdissi … Cast, Olivier Castro-Staal
- Evan Handler … Cast, Scott Philip Smith
- Anthony Vatsula … Cast, Bob Giffen
- Dagney Kerr … Cast, Patty
- Jim Holmes … Cast, Kevin's Friend #1
- David Knell … Cast, Kevin's Friend #2
- Todd Merrill … Cast, Kevin's Friend #3
- David Peterson … Cast, "Nessun Dorma" Soloist
- Brandon Dean … Cast, Eric
- The Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles … Cast, Themselves