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"An Open Book" is the fifth episode of the first season of Six Feet Under.  It was written by Alan Ball, directed by Kathy Bates and first aired on July 1, 2001.

Synopsis[]

Ruth is stunned by the visitors at a porn star's wake; Nate has a strange first meeting with Brenda's brother Billy; and Keith takes issue with David's desire to replace his father as deacon at the family church.

Story[]

The episode opens with a big breasted woman preparing to take a bubble bath. She is saying all manner of coarse things about the men she has had sex with before climbing into the bath. Her attention then turns to her cat, who jumps up on the sink area and accidentally knocks an electrical curling iron into the bath, thus electrocuting the woman. The woman is named as Jean Louise McArthur A.K.A. “Viveca St. John,” 1957-2001.

Elsewhere, David makes good on his promise to attend church with Ruth and after the service learns from Father Jack that the role of deacon, once belonging to his father, is available and that he should apply. The interview wit the bishop goes well as he proves extremely adept at navigating the line of questioning

However, Keith is clearly not happy with David's plan as it will mean more time apart for them and the church in West Hollywood. David explains that he is attracted to the role as he believes it will be good for the funeral business and views it as a chance to effect change. While the couple are at brunch, they meet Nate and Brenda and David comes out to his brother. However, when Nate later talks to his brother, David dismisses Keith as "just a friend".

When Nate and Rico find out that they are planning a funeral for Viveca St. John, they are really excited and cannot stop talking about her and her movies. David tells them off for the comments but through his own conversations with Viveca St. John's ghost he needs to face his own truths, not only with his own sexuality but with his relationship with Keith. He attempts to explain himself to his boyfriend but is quickly dismissed.

Meanwhile, during a skinny dipping/make out session with Brenda, Nate meets her parents Bernard and Margaret, who take enough of a shine to him to invite him over for dinner, which turns out to be without Brenda. They reveal a lot about Brenda going through therapy sessions as a child and give him a copy of two books about two characters named Nathaniel and Isobel, which was a favorite of Billy's and Brenda's as children as well as "Charlotte Light & Dark", which details Brenda's therapy sessions as a child. Nate goes to see Brenda and encounters a man who turns out to be her brother Billy. He ends up questioning Brenda about who she really is but she remains guarded about the truth.

During a meeting with the school guidance counselor, Claire admits that she cannot remember a time when her family was ever happy so Ruth decides to take her daughter to visit cousins Hannah and Ginnie, who turn out to be irritating due to their perfect relationship and in the middle of the night, Ruth admits the visit was a mistake and they quickly leave to head home. However, when they get home Claire asks her mother if she would like to see a movie on Monday night, showing signs that she wants to mend the evidently broken relationship between the two.

​Cast[]

Main Cast[]

Recurring Cast[]

Guest Starring[]

Obituary[]

Jean Louise McArthur - "Viveca St. John"

September 9, 1957 - February 17th, 2001

Former Adult Film Star Dies

Jean Louise McArthur, who appeared in more than 80 films under the name of Viveca St. John, was found dead in her Orange County apartment earlier this week from what appears to be an accidental electrocution. She was 43.

McArthur grew up in Augusta, Ga., but always had dreams of making it big in Hollywood. At the age of 15, she quit school and moved to Los Angeles where she was eventually discovered while working as a cocktail waitress at a local strip club.

In recent years the adult film star tried to make the difficult transition to more mainstream movie roles, often appearing in bit parts as an ex-prostitute or former stripper. "You tend to get pigeon-holed as an actress, once you've done porn," the star once said. She later had minor success on the small screen, guest starring on the television series "Boy Meets World" and on the short-lived "Models, Inc." "She was one in a million. The most dedicated and professional gal I ever worked with,"said Ross Michaels who produced many of her early films.

"The porn industry has been dealt a severe blow,"said Larry Wadd, another colleague, who appeared in several films with the actress, including the infamous cult classic "The Snake Charmer."

McArthur is survived by her parents, Mary and Edward McArthur and her beloved cat, Tito.

No funeral arrangements were announced.

Music[]

Song Title Performer(s)
Fancy Bobbie Gentry
Oh For A Closer Walk With Go Six Feet Under Choir
Dove Sonno Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Humming Chorus Giacomo Puccini
Common Disaster Cowboy Junkies
Concerto #3 in G Major for Violin Antonio Vivaldi
Divertimento in D Major for Strings Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

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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