As fans binge-watch all five seasons of the iconic series “Six Feet Under” on Netflix, it’s time to revisit the intriguing characters that made the show a unique exploration of mortality.
Among them, Lisa Kimmel Fisher, portrayed by Lili Taylor, remains a subject of fascination and debate.
Lisa’s journey in the series took unexpected turns, leaving viewers puzzled and divided. So, what truly happened to Lisa on “Six Feet Under”?
In Season 3, Episode 10, titled “Everyone Leaves,” a pivotal moment unfolds in Lisa’s story as she disappears during an argument with her husband, Nate. The season finale reveals Lisa’s remains on a California beach. The show revealed in the season 4 finale that Lisa was killed by her sister Barb’s husband, Hoyt, whom she was having an affair with for about a decade. Hoyt killed her because Lisa threatened to tell her sister about it.
Explained: What Was Lisa’s Fate in Six Feet Under?
In Season 2, Episode 4, titled “Driving Mr. Mossback,” we first encounter Lisa. Nate, portrayed by Peter Krause, agrees to transport a deceased man’s body from Seattle to Los Angeles, setting the stage for a peculiar reunion.
At Lisa’s house, old memories resurface, including Nate’s past involvement with her. Lisa’s ambiguous declaration that they were never really dating raises suspicions, setting a curious tone.
Nate’s diagnosis of a brain condition and subsequent seizure during a visit to Seattle led him to seek comfort from Lisa. This pattern of leaning on others and discarding them would become a recurring theme in Nate’s character.
Just when we thought Lisa’s story had concluded, Season 2 ended with a surprising revelation. Nate encounters Lisa in a grocery store, now pregnant with his child.
Their conversations unveil that Lisa had previously gotten pregnant but chose to have an abortion. This time, she decides to keep the baby, leaving Nate torn between love, duty, and obligation.
As the series progresses, Nate marries Lisa, and they welcome a daughter, Maya, into their lives. However, it becomes evident that Nate’s feelings for Lisa fall short of what she desires.
Nate still harbors affection for Brenda (played by Rachel Griffiths), creating a complex web of emotions and relationships. Lisa’s yearning for genuine love goes unfulfilled while Nate grapples with his conflicting emotions.
In Season 3, Episode 10, titled “Everyone Leaves,” a significant turning point occurs in Lisa’s narrative. After a heated argument with Nate, Lisa vanishes on a trip to visit her sister, leaving Nate in turmoil.
The season finale unveils the heartbreaking discovery of Lisa’s remains on a California beach. True to Nate’s character, he seeks solace from Brenda in the wake of this tragedy.
While the revelation of Lisa’s death quenches the audience’s curiosity, it sparked its share of controversy.
Critics deemed the resolution hasty and unsatisfying, with some arguing that it didn’t align with Lisa’s character. Audiences weren’t quite on the same page.
Lisa was deemed annoying and clingy by audiences who noticed her inability to grasp Nate’s hints about their doomed relationship.
As for how she died, the show’s writers concluded her story in a perplexing manner.
It began with a creative death opener involving Bruno Baskerville Walsh in 1972. Nate later deceivingly passed off Bruno’s cremated remains as Lisa’s, leading to her burial in the desert.
The situation took a twist when Lisa’s sister Barb, played by Julie Dretzin, suspected the remains weren’t Lisa’s. In the season 4 finale, Nate discovered a photo of Lisa inside a book, seemingly taken on the same beach where her remains were found.
Nate’s intuition grew, and he confronted Barb’s husband, Hoyt (played by Jeff Yagher), who revealed a long-term affair with Lisa.
Then Hoyt said that he couldn’t let Lisa tell Barb about their affair, thus implying that he killed her. This gives the answer Nate wanted. Sadly, Barb was listening outside the door, too.
In a shocking turn of events, Hoyt, overwhelmed by Barb’s sobs, took his own life. Many viewers who had followed the Fishers’ story for years felt conflicted.
The sudden affair seemed inconsistent with Lisa’s character, prompting mixed emotions among fans.
Till today, the enigmatic tale of Lisa Kimmel Fisher on “Six Feet Under” remains a topic of discussion among fans of the series.
While her character may have been divisive, the controversial manner in which she departed the show continues to spark debate.
Did she truly deserve the ending she received? What are your thoughts on Lisa’s journey?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
