Everyone's Waiting

"Everyone's Waiting"
Six Feet Under episode
The extended Fisher family toasts Nate’s memory at Claire’s farewell dinner.
Episode no.	Season 5 Episode 12
Directed by	Alan Ball
Written by	Alan Ball
Featured music	“Breathe Me” by Sia
Original air date	August 21, 2005
Running time	72 minutes
Guest appearance(s)
Kathy Bates as Bettina Jeremy Sisto as Billy Chenowith Joanna Cassidy as Margaret Chenowith Richard Jenkins as Nathaniel Fisher Tina Holmes as Maggie Peter Macdissi as Olivier Castro-Staal Chris Messina as Ted Kendré Berry as Durrell C. J. Sanders as Anthony Tim Maculan as Father Jack Becky Thyre as Marcie James McDonnell as Dr. Frank
Episode chronology
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List of Six Feet Under episodes

"Everyone's Waiting" is the 12th episode of the fifth season of the HBO television series Six Feet Under, the series' 63rd episode overall and the series finale. The episode was written and directed by Alan Ball and originally aired in the United States on August 21, 2005. It was met with universal acclaim from both critics and viewers alike, often being cited as one of the finest series finales in the history of television.

The episode begins like no other: not with a death, but with a birth. Willa Fisher Chenowith is born prematurely, and Brenda is plagued by visions of Nate, who vicariously conveys Brenda's internal fears that the child will not survive and insists that he cannot accept it if she does make it and that she is "damaged." Ruth stays by Brenda's side during Willa's recovery and stops fighting to keep Maya with her. Brenda later has a vision of Nate and Nathaniel holding Willa, with Nate showing his love for both Brenda and their daughter, suggesting that Brenda is finally positive for Willa's health and welfare.

Ruth sinks even deeper into her depression when Brenda takes Maya back. George tries to comfort her and promises he will help her get through it. Ruth is helped by a phone call to Maggie when she tells Ruth that Nate was happy the night he suffered his ultimately fatal stroke.

Claire gets back into photography with Ted's help, and later receives a phone call from a stock photography company in New York saying they have a position for her as a photographer's assistant. She later finds out that Olivier recommended her for the position. After finding her mother crying, she says she will stay at home to help her, but Ruth insists that she move to New York so she will not regret it later. Ruth also unfreezes the trust fund set up by her father. Claire later finds out that the photo company consolidated its operations and her position is no longer available. As she considers calling off her trip, Nate tells her she needs to go to start a new life in New York anyway, as he did years earlier when he moved to Seattle with no guarantee of employment.

As per Keith's suggestion, David agrees to temporarily leave home so he can recover from the loss of his brother, and returns to the funeral home. During a nightmare, he is confronted by Nathaniel about considering leaving the business and his sexuality. He is then confronted by the attacker in a red hooded sweater that has plagued his recent thoughts. This time, David fights back and finally sees his own face, allowing him to let go of his past.