I just love the balls they had to kill him off in the middle of a conflict with Brenda and the viewers. I mean that's just life, people don't die on a perfect moment, it's unexpected

The dream sequence when Nate dies is very beautiful and perfect for the tone of this show. I love how it seems like a dream Nate is having, but then we see David wake up from it as if they were sharing the same dream. Everything Nate said does matter, even though he died, because it makes Brenda's grief even more complicated. She's left in sort of the worst position possible. I like how Ted got thrown into this family crisis situation with Claire very similarly to the way Brenda got thrown into Nate's crisis in episode one. All these little moments that reflect earlier parts of the show are beautiful.

So. This episode shocked me to my core when it first aired. I just couldn't believe they'd kill off a main character with three episodes to go. But when I rewatched it a few days later, it made sense. This is a show about grief, about dealing with death. It only makes sense that we see the family deal with this loss. But still, that dream sequence that starts as Nate's and shifts to being David's is so powerful. That is an amazing bit of writing and direction that I've not seen before or since. That slow fade to white before Nate's death card had me literally breathless when I first saw this. After many rewatches, my anger towards Nate regarding his last conversation with Brenda has faded. I'm still a little angry that he cheated on his pregnant wife and that he's so willing to just let it go, but at the same time, it seems like he finally found peace and realized that he and Brenda would eventually end up apart again, so he pulled the trigger. Notice how calm he was in that conversation. He knew it was over between them, and he chose to let Brenda know when he was at his weakest and most vulnerable. He didn't want to fight anymore. He couldn't. I'm still unsure if he knew that he was going to die or not, but it seems like he did because he wanted to make peace with her before he checked out. I think something inside of him told him that it was now or never, literally. As for the rest of the cast- Michael C. Hall and Lauren Ambrose give a such great performances in this episode. They truly feel like siblings, and that one small moment when Claire says "Thanks for the worst fucking news of my life!" and then sits down and starts crying still makes me genuinely lose it even 18 years later. Ambrose is so, so good as Claire. Ruth... oh boy... That fantasy sequence with her shooting her exes was a bit of much needed levity in this episode. It also shows us that Rut has finally gotten past her need to be a wife and that she can just be Ruth. Although its kinda annoying with Keith and the kids at the hospital, it was crucial because we see Anthony & Durrell finally accepting that they're in a loving household. The walls are coming down and trust is being established. It's a small part of the story that's overshadowed by Nate's story-line, but it's there. And finally, the scene between Rico and Vanessa is so emotionally raw, that it still sits with me to this day. Justina Machado is so wonderful as an actor, and she has AMAZING chemistry with Freddy Rodriguez. The next three episodes are rough. Have tissues ready. The family is gonna go through hell, and so are we, right along with them.

I love the dream sequence, where David is imagined as a stoner/surfer who has a differently-imagined self that is the David we know. I don’t know what to make of it (not to mention the shared dream aspect) but it is wonderfully mind-bending.

Nate and Brenda are honestly very good for each other, but I think they just meet at the wrong time in their lives. In the beginning, it was Brenda who constantly pushed Nate away, but now it's Nate.

Nate tried so hard all his life to make a relationship work with a woman. When Lisa died after he made the commitment to stay with her a part of his optimism died along with her. As he put it, he was going to concentrate on being a good father. When he met Maggie and found out she lost a child he felt a connection with her. He felt she really understood his feelings of loss as well. Maggie was NOT the typical type of woman he was normally drawn to. She has a really quiet and gentle personality. Unlike most women he’s known before. He was drawn to Maggie because of his own insecurities.

I just finished it and am cryimg my eyes out. Cried when nate died. Cried in the finale....omg i cant even breathe

This episode has so many defining moments for the characters, especially Ruth! That her beautiful empowerment is overshadowed by the death of her son makes me very sad! I love your reactions, warm greetings from Bolivia! 🇧🇴

10:45 the Ruth subplot gives some needed levity to this ep. The way the entire scene turns on a dime with "Say my name..." "HIRAM..... *GET OFF ME!!!*" gets me every time lmao. SFU is like BrBa in that it's last four episodes are just incredible, practically flawless. While BrBa prob edges out SFU as my fave (Leftovers is up there too, only marred by a somewhat dour Season 1), SFU has the better Finale i think.

I've been anticipating this one. Haven't started it yet. I need to take some deep breaths... Whew. See ya on the other side in about a half hour. I can already tell that this episode is gonna be rough for you.

Oh no nono no it's here

Regarding the dream sequence at the end, we are initially led to think it is Nate who's dreaming, but then we realise it was David's dream all along. Some people have argued that it actually starts as Nate's dream and then transitions to David's, but to me that doesn't make sense. I might be wrong though.

it's the best series ever. There is nothing like that anymore these days. a series where complex human emotions are laid bare.

oh boy

❤😢