Of all the movies, television shows, books and theater pieces I've seen in my 50+ years, this episode of Six Feet Under (my choice for greatest show of all time) affected me in a most profound way. I don't think I've ever cried as sadly for any other entertainment piece as I did at the very beginning of this episode. A young man is dying from pancreatic cancer. Another young man (Nate) promises to visit this dynamic, difficult and lonely dying patient each day for the remainder of his life. Nate walks in and finds the young man in distress. A brief exchange takes place, heart wrenching for it's genuine and honest feeling. The young man begins to gasp and cries out in fear and pain. Nate cradles him and tells him not to be afraid. The dying man says "there is no light"...."I'm afraid". The viewer (myself) broke down in sobs that lasted longer than the scene itself. Such honest writing and brilliant direction and acting make for riveting television. It's not easy to watch and yet I can't stop watching once I start. It's exhausting because it's emotional. It's everything great entertainment should be and almost never is. Six Feet Under is genius.
Review of The Liar and the Whore
