Did Six Feet Under Nose Dive Around Season 4 Or Is It Just Me?

[Timothy Hunter]

The narrative of Six Feet Under each episode is separated into four subplots: Keith & David, Nate & Brenda, Claire, and Ruth. There were always problems with the show from the start, but even if an aspect of the story seems weak, there were other, largely unrelated sub plots that were still excellent.

In Season Four, I can't point to any of the four subplots that isn't either dull or obnoxious. As opposed to the complex character David was in earlier seasons, he is now a one dimensional, submissive stereotype. Ruth's new husband is a very uninteresting character. Brenda and Nate's relationship retreads that of previous seasons. Claire's college antics seem pointless.

What do fans of Six Feet Under think of Season 4? Is it perceived as the weakest season?