Ep 11. Death Works Overtime
- TVMA
- May 11, 2003
- 51 min
-
8.8 (1,629)
The episode "Death Works Overtime" from season 3 of Six Feet Under follows the Fisher family as they continue to navigate the ups and downs of running a funeral home. The episode begins with Nate, the eldest son, struggling to balance the demands of work and family life as he deals with the aftermath of his wife's affair. Meanwhile, his younger brother David is dealing with his own relationship troubles as he struggles to come to terms with his sexuality and the expectations of his conservative family.
As the members of the Fisher family grapple with their own personal issues, they are also forced to confront the harsh realities of death and loss on a daily basis. In "Death Works Overtime," the funeral home is inundated with multiple cases, and the staff must work around the clock to ensure that each client receives a proper send-off.
Throughout the episode, we see the Fisher family trying to balance their own emotions while supporting those who are grieving. This proves to be a difficult task, as the staff are forced to deal with clients who are in denial, angry, or simply overwhelmed by the loss of their loved ones.
As the episode progresses, we see each of the main characters struggle to come to terms with their own mortality. Ruth, the matriarch of the family, sneaks into a funeral service in order to gain some perspective on her own life. Meanwhile, young Claire Fisher is overwhelmed with the idea of death and dying, and seeks solace in the arms of a new boyfriend.
Despite the heavy subject matter, "Death Works Overtime" is an ultimately hopeful episode that reminds viewers of the beauty and resilience of the human spirit. As the Fisher family comes together to support one another and their clients, we are reminded that even in the face of tragedy, love and compassion can help us overcome even the most difficult of obstacles.