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"Familia" is the fourth episode of the first season of Six Feet Under. It was written by Laurence Andries, directed by Lisa Cholodenko and first aired on June 24, 2001.

Synopsis[]

After a gang member is killed, the Fishers find that his family's wishes for burial differ from those of the gang.

Story[]

The episode starts with a young Mexican couple arguing in their car, which is in a bad neighborhood and is failing. He puts an end to the argument when he gets out of the car to use a pay phone nearby. However, his call is cut short when he is approached by a couple of other Mexicans, who threaten him with a gun to his head and then shoot him multiple times, resulting in the young man's death as his horrified girlfriend screams from the car. The dead man is named as Manuel Pedro Antonio Bolin and he dies in his 21st year.

Nate and Brenda are at the police station being interrogated separately about their whereabouts the night of the house fire. She labels him "aggressive", which he dismisses, labeling her likewise.

At the Fisher house, David is complaining about the broken air conditioning unit and the repairman tells him and Ruth that it will cost a hefty sum of money to repair. David then meets with the latest grieving family - Manuel Bolin's parents as well as a man who goes by the gang name Powerful. The parents tell David that their son was everything to them but got involved with a gang, where he went by the name Paco. Powerful interjects when talk turns to the funeral arrangements so David calls in Rico to help, believing that he is Mexican but the latter reveals he is Puerto Rican and does not take too kindly to being characterized in the way David thought but agrees to help. However, Powerful disagrees with everything Paco's parents want so Rico has a little talk with him to sort things out, before Powerful agrees to go along with the parents' wishes.

Later, David is grocery shopping with Keith and a guy pulls up behind them in his SUV as he wants to park in their spot when they leave. Keith takes his time putting the groceries away before the man makes a slur at them before driving away. This causes Keith to go after the man, who he threatens at gunpoint before the man drives off. David cannot believe what his boyfriend has just done and after a brief fight they part ways. Elsewhere, David and Nate meet with Matthew Gilardi and David refuses to accept Gilardi's mumbo jumbo and when David comes at him several times Gilardi has no option but to back down. Ruth later agrees to loan the brothers the $93,000 they need to modernize the funeral home and also wants to be involved more in the financial side of things.

Later that evening, Brenda arrives an hour early for her first dinner with the Fishers. She exchanges pleasantries with Ruth before waiting for Nate in the parlor room. When Nate arrives, they exchange more pleasantries with Ruth before she leaves. Talk between the couple then turns to mommy issues, which Nate refuses to engage in. Ruth later walks on them having sex before leaving quickly and horrified. The dinner is even more awkward, mainly due to Claire's line of questioning towards the couple. Ruth also asks David to start attending church with her.

Claire herself is still under suspicion by the family and when Ruth later asks if she set the house fire she says she would never do something like that. Ruth accepts her response and when Claire leaves the look on Ruth's face says otherwise. Claire also tries to make a pass at Powerful, who lets her down.

David has several conversations with Paco's ghost, who points out that the guy in the grocery store parking lot was also being derogatory towards David. The latter tries to make amends with Keith, who says he will wait for him. Paco's funeral goes ahead as planned and Powerful, Paco's parents and his girlfriend include the Fishers in their prayer circle to give thanks for Paco's life. This causes David to realize how he has treated Keith and the two reconcile.

​Cast[]

Main Cast[]

Recurring Cast[]

Guest Starring[]

Obituary[]

Manuel Pedro Antonio Bolin - "Paco"

February 6th, 1980 - February 15th, 2001

BOLIN, Manuel Pedro Antonio (20) died February 15. He graduated from Echo Park High School in 1999. Manuel leaves behind his loving girlfriend Sylvie Castillo and devoted parents Charles and Loretta.

Funeral Services this Saturday at Fisher & Sons funeral home. Funeral mass will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday February 18 at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Echo Park. You will be in our hearts forever.

Trivia[]

  • Goof: According to Paco's dates of birth and death, he had just turned 21. However, his own parents say he was going to soon turn 21.
  • This is the first episode where the episodic preview features the song Nothing Lies Still Long by Pell Mell.

Music[]

Song Title Performer(s)
Inspiration Information Shuggie Otis
Body of Binky Coinmonster
Sleeping Beauty Piotr Tchaikovsky
Sufriendo A Solas Mariachi All-Stars
Ave Maria Franz Schubert
Four Seasons: Winter Antonio Vivaldi
Happiest Girl in the Whole U.S.A. Donna Fargo
Life on a Chain Pete Yorn
A Mother for Your Mind The Herbaliser

Gallery[]


Season One
#101 "Pilot" #108 "Crossroads"
#102 "The Will" #109 "Life's Too Short"
#103 "The Foot" #110 "The New Person"
#104 "Familia" #111 "The Trip"
#105 "An Open Book" #112 "A Private Life"
#106 "The Room" #113 "Knock, Knock"
#107 "Brotherhood"
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