George R.R. Martin Says HBO's SIX FEET UNDER Series Finale Is the Best in TV History

Game of Thrones creator George R.R. Martin recently took to his blog to discuss some of his favorite episodes of TV shows, and when it came to the best series finale of all time, the author named HBO’s Six Feet Under, which I can’t argue with because I agree with him. He explained:

“If I had to pick one episode that was even more perfect than all the others on the list… it would have to be the final episode of ‘Six Feet Under,' I liked that series well enough, though I cannot say I loved it as much as I loved ‘Rome’ or ‘Deadwood’ or ‘Fargo’ or a few other shows missing from the list, but that last episode was far and away the best finale in the entire history of television, and I cannot imagine how anyone could possibly do better.”

Six Feet Under certainly took viewers on quite an insane and unpredictable journey. I enjoyed watching that show and that series finale, that final episode was perfect.

The series was created by Alan Ball, and it aired on HBO from 2001 to 2005. The story delves into the lives of the Fisher family, who run a funeral home in Los Angeles. Following the sudden death of the family patriarch, Nathaniel Fisher, his two sons, Nate and David, take over the family business. The show explores the personal and professional challenges they face while dealing with the emotional and logistical aspects of death on a daily basis. The narrative is underscored by the presence of the deceased, who often interact with the living characters in dream sequences or visions, providing a unique lens through which the show examines life, death, family, and human connection.

Martin’s thoughts on the matter were sparked by a Vanity Fair article titled “25 Perfect TV Episodes From the Last 25 Years,” and he also pointed out his favorite episodes from list, including “The Suitcase” from Mad Men and “the heart-wrenching ‘Ozymandias'” from Breaking Bad.

Martin added, “The Sopranos had lots of great episodes, but ‘The Pine Barrens’ was special, and for the entire rest of the series I kept waiting for that Russian to turn up again when we least expected.” Other episodes include “Middle Ground” from The Wire, and Martin also added that “The show was so good, it came close to perfection pretty frequently,” Which is hard to argue with.

He also added Black Mirror to the list saying, “‘San Junipero’ is the episode I love to watch over and over, and tell my friends to watch.”

Martin wrapped up his thoughts saying: “I feel very pleased and flattered to be in such great company. No work of art is ever truly perfect, of course… but it is very gratifying to hear that maybe you achieved it, or at least came close… for some of your readers (or viewers)… once in a very great while. There is always a next time, though… and regardless of how well (or poorly) one of my tales is received, I always want to do better the next time I sit down in front of the computer.”

What do you consider to be some of the best episodes of TV ever made? What are your thoughts on the series finale of Six Feet Under?