Write a treatment for a miniseries in which Mary Poppins lands with her flying umbrella, not with the Banks familiy in London, but with the FISHER family of the famed HBO series, SIX FEET UNDER. Unexpected twists ensue, but develop naturally from the features and characters of the two story lines. As with the original series, the mechanics of each episode's plot present challenges and then resolve, but often have undertones of some ethical or humanistic content. The treatment is for a six-episode miniseries. Assume it takes place in the same time as the original series (the characters are their original ages, etc. Nate is dating Brenda, David is still trying to figure out his direction in life (and coming out issues) BUT working at the funeral home, etc.
Title: Mary Poppins and the Six Feet Under
Format: 6-Episode Miniseries
Genre: Dark Comedy with Ethical and Humanistic Undertones
Episode 1: "A Spoonful of Embalming Fluid"
Synopsis:
Mary Poppins (played with a touch of stern whimsy) descends into the lives of the Fisher family, her iconic umbrella casting a long shadow over the funeral home. The Fishers, reeling from their father's recent death, are initially skeptical of her presence. Nate tries to send her away, assuming she's just another eccentric mourner, but she insists she's there for the children. Mary Poppins quickly realizes that the Fishers, especially Nate and David, are in desperate need of guidance.
Plot Twist:
Mary Poppins demonstrates her magical abilities by bringing a corpse (intended for embalming) to life, creating chaos. The body, now animated, questions its own existence, prompting a philosophical discussion about life, death, and the afterlife. By the end of the episode, Mary Poppins restores the natural order, leaving the Fishers both stunned and intrigued.
Ethical Content:
The episode explores the boundaries of life and death, questioning the ethical implications of tampering with the natural order. It also touches on the emotional struggles of grief and acceptance.
Episode 2: "Supercalifragilisticexpialidopen"
Synopsis:
David is grappling with his sexuality and the pressure of working in the family business. Mary Poppins, sensing his inner turmoil, takes him on a surreal journey through his own mind, using a magical chalk drawing as a portal. The journey is filled with symbolic encounters—some humorous, some haunting—that force David to confront his fears and desires.
Plot Twist:
As David begins to embrace his identity, Mary Poppins introduces him to a version of himself that has fully come out, is happy, and runs a successful funeral home. This vision gives David the courage to start accepting who he is, but the episode ends on a bittersweet note as he realizes that the journey will still be long and difficult.
Ethical Content:
The episode deals with the struggles of self-acceptance and the courage required to live authentically. It also explores the societal pressures that complicate this process.
Episode 3: "Chim Chim Cher-ee, Coffin for Three"
Synopsis:
Ruth, the matriarch, is feeling lost and disconnected from her children, each of whom is absorbed in their own problems. Mary Poppins, in her no-nonsense way, decides it's time for a "family outing." She magically transports the Fishers to a whimsical yet macabre version of a Victorian funeral parlor where they must prepare a funeral together.
Plot Twist:
As they work together, old resentments bubble to the surface, leading to a heated argument. Mary Poppins intervenes with a lesson in empathy, using her magic to have each Fisher experience the world through the eyes of another family member. This exercise leads to a tentative truce and a renewed sense of family unity.
Ethical Content:
The episode explores the importance of empathy and understanding in family dynamics, highlighting how easily we can become isolated in our own experiences.
Episode 4: "Brenda's Bag"
Synopsis:
Brenda, Nate's girlfriend, is struggling with her complicated relationship with Nate and her own psychological issues. Mary Poppins takes it upon herself to help Brenda "unpack her bag," which, in this case, is literally and metaphorically filled with her emotional baggage. Each item in the bag represents a different aspect of Brenda's psyche.
Plot Twist:
As Brenda delves into her bag, she encounters memories and emotions she has long buried. Mary Poppins guides her through these, helping her confront her past traumas, but in true Mary Poppins style, there's a twist—some of the baggage belongs to Nate. The episode ends with Brenda and Nate facing the reality that they both have issues they need to work on, separately and together.
Ethical Content:
The episode addresses the complexities of relationships and the importance of dealing with one's own issues before fully committing to another person. It also touches on the concept of emotional baggage and how it affects our interactions with others.
Episode 5: "A Jolly Funeral Holiday"
Synopsis:
The Fishers are in desperate need of a break, so Mary Poppins decides it's time for another "jolly holiday." She takes the family on a magical trip to a world where funerals are celebrations of life rather than mournful events. In this world, the dead appear alongside the living, sharing in the festivities.
Plot Twist:
As the Fishers enjoy this bizarre yet uplifting holiday, they each have a poignant encounter with the spirit of a deceased loved one. These interactions provide them with the closure they've been seeking, though not in the way they expected. The holiday ends with the Fishers feeling more at peace with their roles in the funeral business.
Ethical Content:
The episode explores the different cultural perspectives on death and mourning, highlighting how celebrating life rather than focusing on loss can be a healthier approach to grieving.
Episode 6: "Let's Go Fly a Kite"
Synopsis:
The series finale sees the Fisher family on the brink of a major decision: whether to continue running the funeral home or sell it and move on with their lives.
Mary Poppins, her work nearly complete, guides each family member through a series of visions showing the potential futures that await them, depending on their choice.
Plot Twist:
Just as the Fishers seem ready to sell the business, they receive a visit from a mysterious new client—a pregnant woman who wishes to arrange her own funeral in advance, hinting at new beginnings even in the face of death.
The client, who seems to know more about the Fishers than she should, is revealed to be a manifestation of the late Mr. Fisher, nudging them toward the decision to stay together and continue the family business.
Ethical Content:
The episode deals with themes of legacy, the cyclical nature of life and death, and the importance of family unity. It also questions whether we are ever truly in control of our destinies.
Final Scene:
Mary Poppins, having fulfilled her purpose, flies off into the sky, leaving the Fisher family stronger and more united than ever. As she disappears, a gust of wind blows a single black umbrella into the funeral home's courtyard—an enigmatic symbol of her enduring influence on the family.
