“Happiness can exist only in acceptance” — George Orwell
Well … let’s put it this way: After witnessing the antics of the latest Wilfred, I may not be able to eat peanut butter for a long, long time.
But I can’t quite talk about that just yet. Let’s move on to something else. I need to build up some nerve before heading on over to that territory. Let’s talk about Ryan’s sister instead.
Some revelations opened up for me about Ryan with regard to Kristen (Dorian Brown), his history with her and their interaction. And one thing is evident: Man, is she high maintenance. Over-the-top high maintenance. Additionally, she’s co-dependent as all get out. She’s almost lost if she doesn’t hold on to that need to take care of Ryan, mother him, dawdle over him. It feeds her to do so. It also does so when she nags him just this side of backward — and she does it often and well.
Not to say that Ryan doesn’t have his own needy tendencies. But what he’s done is transferred them over to Wilfred and the dysfunctional relationship he’s currently nurturing with him. It’s an interesting, strange dance that’s unfolding.
Ah, crap. I’m dragging my feet here, aren’t I? I’m not going to get out of talkin’ ’bout the peanut butter.
Ryan drops off Wilfred at a doggy daycare center. And the main caretaker (Ed Helms, Stu in The Hangover Part II) is … well … let’s just say … a little strange. He discovers Wilfred is a peanut butter fiend and he *gulp* kind of “uses” this knowledge to his advantage, if you know what I mean. Let’s just say dogs like to lick things. And nothing is really exempt or off limits if covered in peanut butter.
Does anyone remember the old Warner Bros. cartoon It’s Hummer Time? The hummingbird, the cat who’s always trying to catch and eat him and the dog who the cat is continually “getting the business from” in the process? The cat, if you recall, gets so caught up in trying to catch the hummingbird he stumbles into all sorts of messes where the dog is concerned. The dog in turn exacts pain and suffering on the cat. “Not Happy Birthday! No! No! Nooooooooo … !!! Not Happy Birthday!” the cat pleads. It was this same sort of pleading Wilfred piteously begged at the doggy daycare dude in his attempt to ward off the guy’s … erm … “advances”. I watched the sequence with the music of It’s Hummer Time in my minds ear, Raymond Scott’s iconic Powerhouse.
*shiver*
That’s what this episode was all about. Acceptance. Ryan’s acceptance of Wilfred and the interesting relationship he has with him. Kristen’s need for accepting Ryan for who he is, knowing full well there’s probably nothing she can do to change that. And Wilfred’s acceptance Ryan would not only be leaving him with “a dog molesterer” (sic) but that his influence over his friend only reaches so far.
One day — soon, I hope — I’ll be able to go back to eating my beloved English muffins and crunchy peanut butter without thinking about this episode of Wilfred and the dastardly doings that lurked within it. If I continue to watch this show, I’ll have to accept that.
Clacked by Michael Noble 
on Jul 15, 2011 @ 02:27 EST5EDT
I hate Wilfred. His character has no redeeming qualities. The whole show appeals to the lowest form of swearing for the sake of swearing, pot-smoking, oh look you/I took a shit/pee, did you just see me hump her leg; kind of “humor.” I don’t see why Ryan hangs with Wilfred, he’s loathesome. And last night’s whole peanut butter script debacle was just porno. Not even disguised porno. It actually made me mad.
Go ahead, let me have it, Michael.
Tara, I’ve been watching Wilfred and I was a bit disappointed in the pilot because, as you stated, the character has no redeeming qualities. I figured since it was a pilot and this looked like it was basically going to be a twisted buddy comedy that Wilfred would change a bit over time. We all know pilots can be very different from later episodes. Unfortunately that has not happened and I don’t understand why. I could understand if Wilfred were a scoundrel most of the time, but did show the occasional glimmer of care and friendship towards Ryan, but he’s always a complete asshat.
You can’t have a buddy comedy if you don’t have buddies. If the show isn’t going for that then it must be going for a masochist-and-sadist vibe because otherwise I can’t see a reason why Ryan would do anything other than shun Wilfred (or worse if it were up to me). I also find the show disgusting and not at all funny, but it has (or maybe ‘had’ since I think it’s beyond saving now) the potential to be hilariously strange. For now it’s just disgusting and I think I’m done with it.
Good points, one and all, Tom!
Wilfred is funny. You two are not. Why have you both watched 4 episodes if you hate it, especially considering you could guess the series content from the pilot.
Tara – I’m pretty sure there’s only been only leg humping scene, and one poo taking gag. And I can only think of two pee gags – but dog’s do pee, and the “this is my land” sketch is hilarious! And do films like American Pie count as “lowest form of humor”?
Tom – if you want everyone to hold hands and sing, then stick to Pixar films champ. IF you really want to analyze the show – Ryan is forced to take care of wilfred by his neighbor, They are not friends. But it’s a show with a grown man in a dog suit – why analyze it?
Why have I watched so many episodes? Because, as I clearly stated, this show had potential and I’m not quick to write off a show because it had a rocky start, but Wilfred hasn’t progressed at all. Having said that, if you read *all* the words in my post you’d see that I also clearly stated that I’m pretty much done with it.
Ryan is not forced to take care of Wilfred, he does it reluctantly because he’s attracted to the “pretty girl next door” and that’s very obvious. Of course they’re not friends, but this is supposed to be a comedy. If there’s no redeeming value to a character, as in Wilfred the dog not being the least bit likable, then where’s the comedy? I enjoy the occasional bit of bathroom humor, but I fail to see how a dog, or man in a dog suit, humping anything could still be considered funny. It’s become the lowbrow equivalent of “why did the chicken cross the road.” It’s overdone and wasn’t terribly funny the first time it was done, much less the uncountable times since.
Why analyze a show about a grown man in a dog suit? Easy one to answer. Because it’s aimed at an adult audience whose expectations are usually higher than the kind of attempts at humor that make Beavis and Butthead look downright highbrow.
The particular situation presented to an audience does not dictate the appropriateness of analysis, the intended audience does. Since this is aimed at an adult audience and is purported to be a comedy it warrants analysis from the viewer. My analysis, and obviously Tara’s as well, finds that this show is simply not living up to its potential and goes for the lowest attempts at humor through disturbing situations lacking any form of real creativity.
Your mileage obviously varies and you’re certainly free to disagree. I don’t really appreciate the condescending tone of your comments towards me, (Re: reference to sticking to Pixar films; holding hands and singing) but then again you’re free do to as you please. If this show appeals to you I urge you to continue watching, all I did was try and give it a fair shake and never once tried to insult anyone who finds watching Wilfred rewarding. I sincerely hope you continue to enjoy the show.
*POST AUTHOR*
. . . . .
** Woof … !!! **
Stay tuned for this week’s critique of the show … !!!
Dear I Smell;
I wasn’t trying to be funny. I’ve watched four episodes, because I watch a lot of TV and write for this website. There’s been way more humping scenes that possibly you were too busy to catch. American Pie was definitely low humor. And I analyze TV shows, because I review television shows for this site. Did I mention that?
But thanks for your thoughts.