Monica Collins reveals why her tepid response to the series about the funereal Fishers transformed into regarding it as "an American Gothic classic." See finale spoilers.

Christine Champagne chats with series creator Alan Ball about the show's "playful" tone and the internal struggles of David Fisher, the closeted gay undertaker.

Find out what funeral industry insiders think about Alan Ball's series, and access episode briefs, cast and crew bios, multimedia, and a forum.

Series creator talks about the influence of "Bodies in Motion and at Rest," by Michigan funeral director Thomas Lynch, on his "darkly funny saga" of the Fisher family.

Matt Zoller Seitz explains why he finds the dysfunctional Fishers to be "screwed-up people whose family is more functional than most." Read some hints about the finale.

Janet Branagan claims the show that follows a family funeral business promises to "not be dead on arrival." Find thumbnail sketches of main characters in her review.

Episode briefs follow the grieving Fishers as they fight a takeover of their independent funeral business after the head of their family dies.

Bill Wyman calls series creator Alan Ball's career "undistinguished," his Oscar-winning "American Beauty" "overrated," and this show unfocused.

John Carman describes the series' dysfunctional family of undertakers and ersatz commercials as victims of creator Alan Ball's "too cute" satire.

Eric Deggans uses the hit HBO series to examine why "Those of us who say we want cutting-edge TV often aren't prepared for what happens when we get it. Get finale hints.

Tom Zucco gets takes on minor procedural inaccuracies from three funeral directors "who agreed the show humanizes a profession that has always been shrouded in mystery."

Access episode synopses to find out what happens each week at the Fisher family funeral home, and link to credits for the cast members.