Pilot
Nate Fisher flies home for Christmas from Seattle, where he works in a
health food shop. On the flight, he picks up the enigmatic Brenda but,
while they are having sex in a cupboard at the airport, he gets some
tragic news. Not only is the flashy new hearse a write-off, but his
father Nathaniel died in the accident. His mother Ruth is hysterical
(and remorseful for having an affair with her hairdresser Hiram), his
sister Claire is high on crystal meth, and his brother David is trying
to cope while battling to conceal his relationship with cop Keith.
Featured spoof ads for undertakers' requisites.
The Will
Nathaniel's will splits the business between Nate and David, which
pleases neither. Widow Adele Swanson (Tracy Middendorf) discovers her
flashy husband died in debt. Nate encounters a corpse which is
experiencing Angel Lust. Ruth makes a decision about her relationship
with Hiram (Ed Begley Jr).
The Foot
Matthew Gilardi (Garrison Hershberger) of rival firm Kroehner Service
Corporation puts pressure the Fisher brothers to sell up. Federico's
talents are tested by a man who was cut to pieces in a giant dough mixer
– especially when a part of the body goes missing. Claire gets a
reputation as a toe slut. Ruth gets reckless when she goes with pal
Amelia (Caroline Aaron) to the racetrack.
Familia
The police investigate a fire which destroyed the house that the
Kroehner group bought to turn into a cremation business. Ruth catches
Nate performing cunnilingus on Brenda. David finds the courage to stand
up to the Kroehner Corp's oily Matthew Gilardi. The Fishers agree to
conduct the funeral of Mexican-American gang member Paco (Jacob Vargas).
An Open Book
The firm lays to rest a porn actress (Veronica Hart) – the star of
Easy Slider – who was accidentally electrocuted by her cat. Nate is
tricked into a dinner alone with Brenda's psychiatrist parents (Joanna
Cassidy and Robert Foxworth) where he discovers she has an IQ of 185.
David is asked to be a deacon. Ruth and Claire struggle to bond until
they visit straight-laced relations.
The Room
The widowed Mr Jones (Bill Cobbs) can't bear to be parted from his wife
of 56 years. Nate discovers his father smoked pot and rented a room at
the back of a restaurant. David picks up when he goes to a club. Claire
falls for Brenda's photographer brother Billy. and Ruth is wooed by
Russian florist Nikolai (Ed O'Ross) and reunited with hairdresser Hiram
(Ed Begley Jr).
Brotherhood
A young soldier succumbs to Gulf War syndrome and his bitter brother
doesn't want him to have a military funeral. Ruth invites Hiram over to
dinner, which he cooks, and gets a job with florist Nikolai. David has
the casting vote in whether St Barts hires a radical young priest. Nate
demands time off.
Crossroads
Federico moonlights for the Kroehner Service Corporation, reconstructing
the head of a woman who was killed while sticking her head out of a limo
sunroof, and he's then made a tempting offer. Claire has a miserable
time on a hike. Nate is unhappy that Brenda has a loud Australian man friend
staying. Nate and David rent out a room at the funeral home for
line-dancing classes, and David is seduced by the teacher Kurt (Steven
Pasqual).
Life's Too Short
Claire's old boyfriend, Gabe "the foot guy", becomes a client
of the firm when his six-year-old brother accidentally shoots himself.
David tries out dancing and drugs with his new, younger boyfriend Kurt
(Steven Pasqual). Brenda convinces Nate to visit other funeral homes,
posing as bereaved relatives, so he can improve his sales technique.
Ruth goes on an exciting trip with Hiram.
The New Person
The loud-mouthed Angela (Illeana Douglas) is hired to replace Federico.
The opening night of Billy's photography exhibition causes upsets all
round, especially for Nate. Claire tries to help the bereaved Gabe,
David and Keith meet up at the church, and Nikolai dates Ruth.
The Trip
Federico has rejoined the firm but he finds it hard to cope with a
baby's death when he is about to become a father again. David, Nate and
Brenda attend a funeral directors' conference in Las Vegas. Ruth takes
flower arranging classes and Claire cares for Gabe,
A Private Life
David deals with the victim of a gay bashing and decides to come out. He
also loses his temper when anti-gay protesters turn up at the funeral.
Billy becomes dangerous after Brenda throws him out. Claire accompanies
Gabe on his return to school.
Knock, Knock
Tracy Montrose Blaire becomes a demanding customer when her Aunt Lilian
dies (after being struck by a golf ball mishit by Koehner Corp's Mrs
Huntley). Nate falls out with Brenda after visiting Billy in the
institution, and then suffers a health crisis. Father Jack (Tim Maculan)
causes controversy by conducting a lesbian marriage. Federico throws a
christening party at the funeral home, Hiram finds a new woman, and Gabe
gets up to mischief.
