Armed with a riveting batch of new episodes that flow seamlessly from last season's major plot points--mental instability, sex, relationship angst, funerals--creator Alan Ball ("American Beauty") has managed to keep the show's main qualities intact. It's crave inducing while being some of the more unsettling television you're likely to see this year. And considering the relative uncertainty of our times, the fact that they've managed to maintain an edgy drama about a family of funeral directors makes "Six Feet Under" something worth seeing.

Perhaps the most engaging quality is that they've remained true to the characters we started out with--the relationship-phobic Nate Fisher (Peter Krause) accepted his position in the family undertaking business, and seemed settled with his girlfriend, Brenda (Rachel Griffiths, who won a Golden Globe for her role). But following the institutionalization of her loony brother at the end of last season, their harmony is exposed for what it really is--the fragile bond between two really messed up people who aren't sure they can make it last. And as Nate continues to hide his new medical problem (it's not quite a brain tumor, but it's close), the cracks are beginning to show.

Brother David (Michael C. Hall) seems to be more open about his sexuality--after last year's ill-advised descent into reckless, unprotected sex with strangers--while sister Claire (Lauren Ambrose) is still in the midst of a destructive cycle with the troubled Gabe. There's a bunch of wackiness with stolen embalming fluid and drive-by shootings that promise to return later in the season. Episode four, which airs the last Sunday in March, offers stellar guest turns by Lili Taylor as one of Nate's old flames and Joanna Cassidy as Brenda's extremely screwed up mom. And each episode still features the fascinating death of some lucky person our erstwhile funeral directors will get to embalm. What other show can boast that?

"Six Feet Under" airs March 3 at 8pm on HBO. Check local cable listings.

Also by Elaine Richardson

HAIL TO THE CHIEF
With more than 300 objects from the Smithsonian and another forty from the CHS, "The American Presidency: A Glorious Burden" opens February 16 for a seven-month run, its first stop on a national tour.
(2002-02-14)

DOMESTIC BLITZ
On her first day as the maid for a wealthy Chicago family, Lisa Alvarado was handed a basket. "The lady of the house gives me this wicker basket—it was woven and very nice. It contained her lingerie and... I was expected to hand wash it," Alvarado says with some incredulity.
(2002-02-14)

SLAV TO ART
On a particularly dreary stretch of Milwaukee Avenue, the Malovat Art Gallery (1630 North Milwaukee) makes an impression. From front windows that open outward, European style, to the black-and-white interiors, it's a whole new look.
(2002-01-31)

PUT UP OR SHUT UP
Wearing only a short-sleeved T-shirt against the morning damp and ceaselessly smoking Marlboro Ultra-Lights, by 10:30am Blanford's in a black mood following his "audition" experience at Limp Bizkit's "Put Your Guitar Where Your Mouth Is" event: "I didn't audition for shit, man. I just got pissed off."
(2002-01-31)

SEEING IS BELIEVING
(2002-01-31)

FIGHT THE POWER
(2002-01-24)

TALLYING TURNSTILES
(2002-01-17)

COSELL & CO.
(2002-01-10)

IT'S ALIVE!
(2002-01-10)

BALANCING ACT
(2002-01-10)

HOT AIR
(2002-01-10)

FILM VAULT
(2001-11-22)