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Six Feet Under Season 1 Episode 13

Knock, Knock

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9.2

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Episode Summary

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AIRED: 8/19/01

Lillian Grace Montrose
October 4, 1936 - June 14, 2001

Tracy Montrose Blair is back but for very different reasons this time. Her Aunt Lillian has passed away and David is the only one that can help her. While David is trying to deal with Tracy's outrageous demands and cope with her ever-changing ideas, Nate is trying to deal with Brenda and her family. Interrupted from his funeral director's exam, Nate scurries over to Brenda's so he can take her to visit Billy. Ruth finally decides she doesn't want to be involved with Nikolai and gets fired because of it.

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Fan Episode Reviews (6)

Season 1 Finale

8.8

By Canogaparkcindy, Mar 20, 2011

I had extremely high expectations of the finale but I was left kind of disappointed tonight. I mean the cold opening was definitely the best, so funny and random, that you really did not expect it. We got a great tie in with Tracy and just got a feel of what the whole show was about.

But by the end, the episode seemed just like any other episode. Any other day at Fisher and Sons. By the end of the seasons, everyone is dealing with the same problems they were dealing with in the beginning of the season. Claire and Gabe, Nate and Brenda, David and his identity, Ruth and her love life, I just felt like we missed the climax.

Regardless, this was still a well done episode, with great interactions between the cast, as usual. We got some foreshadowing on what will happen next season with Nate dealing with his life-threatening diagnosis, and with Claire's self-destructive boyfriend, and we even got some hinting on the Keith & David relationship.

I really am interested in seeing how next season will look. What other story lines this brilliant show come up with. Other than the anti-climactic feeling you get from this episode, this episode was just great overall.moreless
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The finale matches the rest of the season in terms of quality.

8.5

By PabloExobar, Jul 13, 2008

Good finale, though not great. There was very little finale-feeling to it, even though the last scene was a very good reflection of life and death and goes well with what Nate told Tracy - the reason why people die is so life is considered important.

I was a bit disappointed how Claire's and Gabe's relationship was(not) handled. I thought Gabe robbing the shop with a gun would come up near the end but... no. Shame.

I think the best storyline of the episode, and generally the entire season was David's, even though I hoped to see a little more of him. Brenda almost became annoying again but then she had an accident with Nate which, ironically, seemed to "fix" her character. One thing I found really interesting is that Nate was diagnosed a brain disease which could give him a stroke anytime. I think this is a set up for later seasons. Not s2, or even, s3, but the last ones. I could be wrong of course, but that would be cool.

The death of the episode was very funny, but it didn't have an impact at all. Yes, the last dialouge between crazy-Tracy and Nate was very telling, but other than that... nothing, really. Tracy is just annoying.

I was glad Ruth "chose" Nikolai. Nikolai is cool. At the rate he's included in the episodes (3 minutes) I hope he stays. Anything more than that would be an overkill, but for now, he's a great comic relief. Hiram was never a convincing character, plus the actor did a poor job too, which is surprising because I know the guy from Veronica Mars where he acted very well, though yes, his character was very different.

Anyway. Regarding the season... I think this show is brilliant. The atmosphere is very catchy. But it's not without flaws. I think apart from Nate and David, not any of the main characters can stand on their own. Ruth is the greatest example. If she's alone doing her crazy stuff, she's boring. But when she's with another Fisher or major character, it's cool.

This could be because certain characters are not developed at the same level as others. My favourite show, Lost, is similiarly a character driven drama, with more characters. Now there, each episode is centered around a different character, yet each episode is convincing because you actually don't get the feeling that "they are focusing on the wrong character".

Luckily though SFU doesn't have too many characters, and the atmosphere is good enough to sometimes forgive minor pacing issues. Overall, as an episode this was excellent, but as a finale, only "good". It was really only about 3 2 minute long scenes that made it feel like a finale. The very ending, Nate's disease and perhaps David's speech in the church.

I would say the season, on a whole deserves a 8.5 / 10, which means it's only an inch away from being a TV classic, which is of course, very impressive. The lowest episode earned a rating of 6.5 which is on the borderline of dull and entertaining, the highest rating was 9.5, which is on the borderline of series classic and TV excellence, so overall, it was very consistent.moreless
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Why Do People Have To Die?

9.3

By cavanagh15, Mar 15, 2008

Good episode overall, with some of the characters I don't like as much stepping up into the forefront in this episode. Ruth stepped up in this episode by standing up to Nikoli and the scene with Hirum was just as equally odd and complex. Her character is devoloping at a slower rate then the others, but she really has made some monumental strides this season in terms of her character. Going back to Nikoli after the entire episode felt a little off - but THAT (being off) is her character. Nates storyline remained at the top of the leaderboard as always after the crash weith Brenda. We learned he might have something seriously wrong with him and I wonder if this will come into play in later seasons. Brenda and Nate on screen together is still really good and the scene with Billy didn't feel too long like it did in past episodes. David's storyline is great as well, as he finnaly steps up to the church that he has been keeping secrets from. I do wonder what is going to happen with David / Keith. He is staying around much longer then I would have ever thought. Claires storyline was okay, but I don't feel the connection with her and Gabe. I also liked the several references to "The Private Life" for David in this episode. Overall, great way to end a great first season. Not as amazing as the tv.com ratings may indicate, but a very good episode overall.moreless
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Great!

9.8

By stewie1423, Sep 30, 2007

I liked this episode but for some reason I was expecting it to be more dramtic but as I said before it was still great.I didn't and won't review the previous episode (It was a 2 parter!) so I will so now that it was brilliant. Claire is getting really good but I just want to shake her and tell her to be careful and to be aware of Gabe - who is slightly creepy after that shop incident. David is a new person and his coming out to his mother was one thing but what he said to the church was another. Ruth is the funniest thing in the show, some great one liners and weird speeches. Nate's illness is interesting and I can't wait to see what exactly is going on there next season. Breanda was good as always. Overall good finale but was expecting a little more!moreless
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On The Otherside Written And Directed by Alan Ball

9.0

By shawnlunn2002, Nov 09, 2005

With twelve exceptionally brilliant (and some rather innovative) episodes within Six Feet Under's first season, is there any possible way that the series can fail us now? Well, actually no. While this episode isn't quite as good as "A Private Life", the show's first season ender does have so much going for itself that that won't matter. In fact, there is a lot going for it.

First of all, there's finally some closure on this triangle between Hiram, Ruth and Nikolai as the hairdresser decides that he wants to pursue another relationship, letting a guilt-free Ruth jump at the chance of being with Nikolai, much to the Russian's delight.

Actually Nikolai's genuine sincerity to Ruth about how feels about her, prior to their little hanky-panky in the flower actually kinda makes me see him in a more likeable light. Let's just say I approve of Ruth's choice here the chemistry between her and Hiram was waning anyway. Besides she didn't seem the least bit bothered that he broke up with her.

For the last couple of episodes I’ve been harping on about Gabe heading for a destructive path and well it looks like i'm right as he abandons Claire at Parker's party and robs a convenience store with his idiotic friend Andy (or "Peanut Testicle" as Claire referred to him as once) and some other guy. Heck, even Nate SR warns his daughter that her boyfriend is heading "for my neck of the woods". At this point one can hope. All I can say is Gabe - you are a shithead.

Keeping up with last episode, David continues to get some closure of his own homosexuality as well as kinda freeing the spirit of Marcus Foster (yes he's here again)when he choses not to veto Father Jack, who has presiding over same-sex marriages, despite the church's homophobia. It may have taken all season to get, but hey he's at a stage of being comfortable, though the flipside is his stepping down as deacon.

The best stuff mostly revolves around Tracy Montrose Blair's Aunt Lillian's funeral and everybody second favourite couple on the series - Nate and Brenda.

First I'll start with Tracy as her aunt's death brings out a somewhat demanding side to her as she gives Fisher and Sons the run around with the funeral arrangements that is until Federico puts her in place. And then there's her conversation with Nate in the Fisher's kitchen.

Tracy: "Why do people have to die?"

Nate: "To make life possible".

Which leads to the more serious stuff of the finale as after visiting Billy (who seems genuinely remorseful for his actions) at the institution, Brenda and Nate get into a fight about whether or not their relationship has any real future and wind up in a car crash. After being checked at the hospital, Nate speaks with on of the doctors when tells him of a deterioration in the brain. At first you are almost lead to believe the doctor is referring to Brenda, but it turns out the X-Ray's is Nate's.

Also in "Knock, Knock"

Death of the week: Lillian Montrose Blair got hit very hard with a golf-ball thanks to ...

Mitzi (to Gilardi):"Hey fuck you with the Mam shit. You call me that one more time, I'll have your balls on a plate, your spleen on a stick and your heart bubble wrapped and Fedex-ed to your Mama, all right?"

Chronology it's been nine days since last week's episode.

Ruth: “Men are stupid”

Claire: “Um, yeah”.

Gabe, Andy and the other guy, Dink "mooing" at the owner of the convenience store they robbed. Okay then. The series' Key Grip Dennis Adams is nicknamed Dink so imagine the confusion on set when filming took place.

David (re being gay): “The only way you could know that if it is something you fought and overcome”

Walter: “And the only you couldn’t know if it’s something you aren’t strong enough to overcome”.

Claire trying on one of her Mom's dresses while being filmed by her Dad was interesting. Maybe it was a possible response to the lack of family photos that they have of her, maybe?

Parker's (while posing as her Mom) "reassurance" to Ruth (via telephone):"Oh there isn't even any liquor in the house. You see my husband and I are both alcoholics and Parker's fresh out of rehab. So we'll take really good care of Claire I promise"

Claire: “That was mean”.

Finally, the Fisher funeral home gets to have a party when Federico and Vanessa hold Augusto's (that's what child No. 2 has been called. I like it) christening in the parlour. It's about time the place celebrated life instead of mourning death all the time.

David (re Tracy): “Oh no, I’ll et you take this one”

Nate: “Okay but I’m warning you I might just fucking punch her”.

Father Jack asked David to resign from his position as deacan, so he must have some closeted sexual issues himself. Couldn't help but be disappointed by his actions here.

Not one, but two great tracks from the soundtrack - Beta Band's "Squares" and Orlando Cachaito Lopez's "Mis Don Pequenas". The formers an instant classic, but the latter does grow on you.

You could probably argue that last week's episode may have been the better candidate in terms of a season ender, but "Knock, Knock" definitely holds it own. Alan Ball did a great job in tying up most of the loose ends in the first season while setting up some great stuff for Season 2. Will Ruth and Nikolai make it as a couple, is Nate in danger, will David be comfortable with himself and will Claire finally see Gabe for what he really is? I can't wait to find out.

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Cast & Crew: STARS

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Peter Krause	Nate Fisher
Jeremy Sisto	Billy Chenowith
Mathew St. Patrick	Keith Charles
Frances Conroy	Ruth Fisher
Lauren Ambrose	Claire Fisher
Freddy Rodriguez	Federico Diaz

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Cast & Crew: RECURRING AND GUESTS

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Frank Crim	Convenience Store Clerk	Guest Star
Timm Sharp	Andy	Guest Star
Brian Poth	Marc Foster	Guest Star
Ed Begley Jr.	Hiram	Recurring Role
Richard Jenkins	Nathaniel Fisher	Recurring Role
Ed O'Ross	Nikolai	Recurring Role

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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TRIVIA (1)
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- When Brenda and Nate are driving to see Billy the scenery in the background is the same on both ways. It would mean that on either way they were driving on the wrong side of the road.
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QUOTES (1)
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- Tracy Montrose Blaire: Why do people have to die?
  Nate: To make life important. None of us know how long we've got, which is why we have to make each day matter.
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NOTES (2)
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- Music featured in episode: Eleni Mandel - Pauline, King Cobb Steelie - Mayday, Ettenne De Crecy - Scratched, Beta Band - Squares, Cher - Gypsies Tramps and Thieves, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club - Red Eyes and Tears, Frederic Chopin - Prelude Op. #28, Cachaito - Mis Dos Pequenas.
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- German title: "Der Herr hat es gegeben, der Herr..." (= "The Lord Gave and the Lord...", Job 1,21)
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ALLUSIONS (0)
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