Six Feet Under Season 5 (2015 Alan Ball)

I do like it when Frances Conroy suddenly blows up like a volcano. She does this in an imaginary scene with mentally unwell husband George (James Cromwell), and Nate does it to wife Brenda (Rachel Griffiths) in her own day dream.

In one of the funniest openings, a former friend of Nate runs over himself when lazily trying to pick up a newspaper without getting out of his car.

As pro-gay as ever - must have been something quite revolutionary on US TV at the time... Although they had had Tales From the City, this is much more explicit. But also dares to talk about gay adoption.

Liked the idea of 'ecotone' - the overlap between wildness and civilisation. And that Claire's boyfriend Ted actually turns out to be a decent guy, despite the fact they are completely at odds politically.

Then - spoiler ahead. Splice the main brace...

Death of an icon. Everything's changing...

I had forgotten, and was therefore quite shocked, when (after a great dream featuring stoner David) Nate dies for real. Always one of my favourite characters, conflicted like they all are, a lost idealist.

Then Alan Ball finally does some work, writing and directing the ending (I'm joking, Alan), which I am glad to say remains my favourite of any TV series, starting with that great moment when Nate, running behind Claire's car, gradually drops our of sight in the wing mirror, then causing quite copious tears at the fates of all the characters (there are some very subtle touches in this, even after rewatching this incredible scene, like the fact that one of David and Keith's kids seems to have a boyfriend...) But it's only so incredible if you have watched all five series beforehand.