what if it is?
beautiful, sad, true March 2nd, 2009I had a strange weekend, in both good and bad ways. Last night, I felt kind of tied in knots (still do, quite honestly), so I watched an episode of Six Feet Under to help me relax. The episode I watched happened to contain one of my favorite scenes, which encapsulated everything I’d been feeling lately, and also gave me some advice which turned out to be exactly what I needed to hear. Incidentally, it involves a bit of ‘adult’ language (which I only use judiciously in my blog), so if that’s something you’re sensitive to. . .well, you’ve been warned.
If you’re not familiar with the show, Nathaniel is the dead father (That’s not a spoiler, don’t worry; his death happens in the very first scene of the very first episode) and David is the younger of his two adult sons. Nathaniel’s apparition appears to David after a particularly traumatic experience that David endured in a previous episode, which would be a huge spoiler if I revealed it here.
Nathaniel Fisher: You’re missing the point.
David Fisher: There is no point, that’s the point.
[pause]
Isn’t it?
Nathaniel Fisher: Don’t give me this phony existential bullshit, I expect better from you. The point’s right in front of your face.
David Fisher: Well, I’m sorry but I don’t see it.
Nathaniel Fisher: You’re not even grateful, are ya?
David Fisher: Grateful? For the worst fucking experience of my life?
Nathaniel Fisher: You hang onto your pain like it means something, like it’s worth something. Well, let me tell ya, it’s not worth shit. Let it go. [to himself] Infinite possibilities and all he can do is whine.
David Fisher: Well, what am I supposed to do?
Nathaniel Fisher: What do you think? You can do anything, you lucky bastard, you’re alive!
[pause]
What’s a little pain compared to that?
David Fisher: It can’t be so simple.
[pause]
Nathaniel Fisher: What if it is?
What if it is? What if it is that simple? Nice to be reminded every once in a while.