In Place of Anger
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Episode 6
| "In Place of Anger" | |
|---|---|
| Six Feet Under episode | |
| Episode no. | Season 2 Episode 6 |
| Directed by | Michael Engler |
| Written by | Christian Taylor |
| Cinematography by | Alan Caso |
| Editing by | Tanya Swerling |
| Original release date | April 7, 2002 |
| Running time | 55 minutes |
| Guest appearances | |
| |
"In Place of Anger" is the sixth episode of the second season of the American drama television series Six Feet Under. It is the nineteenth overall episode of the series and was written by producer Christian Taylor, and directed by Michael Engler. It originally aired on HBO on April 7, 2002.
The series is set in Los Angeles, and depicts the lives of the Fisher family, who run a funeral home, along with their friends and lovers. It explores the conflicts that arise after the family's patriarch, Nathaniel, dies in a car accident. In the episode, Ruth's sister shows up unannounced, while David and Nate are approached by Kroehner with another big offer.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 6.60 million household viewers and gained a Nielsen household rating of 4.1. The episode received highly positive reviews from critics, with Patricia Clarkson receiving high praise for her performance.
Office workers host a party at a yacht. A man flirts with a woman, when they are interrupted by their co-worker Matthew Collins. Matthew is drunk, and insults them as he laments that their company may face bankruptcy. After they leave, he accidentally drops his bottle overboard. He gets upset, but accidentally falls as well, dying after drowning.
Ruth (Frances Conroy) is surprised when her sister Sarah (Patricia Clarkson) shows up unnanounced at the house. Sarah's carefree personality bothers Ruth, especially when she dismisses her progress at The Plan. She joins the family during dinner, with Ruth also inviting Nikolai (Ed O'Ross) to meet the family. Sarah bonds with Claire (Lauren Ambrose) by suggesting she should embrace her artistic side, while Nate (Peter Krause) and Brenda (Rachel Griffiths) announce their engagement.
When Kroehner takes Matthew's wife as client, David (Michael C. Hall) decides to offer a lower payment for the casket despite knowing they will not recoup their investment. Mitzi Dalton Huntley (Julie White) visits David and Nate, and decides to take them to a trip on her private plane to a resort. There, Mitzi reveals she wants to buy their funeral service again, offering them a large sum of money. David is tempted, but Nate rips the check, feeling that they have a bigger purpose than money. Brenda receives a client into her house, finding that he has an erection. She complies with his desire to masturbate him, but tells him he cannot ever return.
David and Ben (Adam Scott) continue dating. While leaving church, David is approached by Taylor (Aysia Polk), introducing her to Ben as a friend. Keith (Mathew St. Patrick) sees this from afar, but decides not to get involved. David and Ben go to the former's apartment, where Ben proclaims his feelings for him. David finally admits that he loves someone else, prompting a disappointed Ben to break up with him and leave. Ruth finally confronts Sarah for her attitude, reprimanding her for leaving her alone in taking care of the family while she was having fun. Sarah is offended by her remarks, as she feels she has not lived the life she hoped she would have. That night, Ruth shows Claire some of the artwork she made in her childhood, delighting Claire.
Production
Development
The episode was written by producer Christian Taylor, and directed by Michael Engler. This was Taylor's third writing credit, and Engler's second directing credit.[1]