Wilfred: Trust

Season 1, Episode 2

“Trust thyself only, and another shall not betray thee.” – Thomas Fuller

Trust.  Not quite as philosophical a theme to touch upon as last week’s “happiness,” but this week’s episode of Wilfred holds up just fine nonetheless.

In the second episode for FX’s new comedy, the show returns to more basic narrative structure, primarily working to advance the two central recurring narratives of the show: Ryan’s budding relationship with Wilfred, and his growing feelings for Jenna.  Ryan allows Wilfred to play freely on a “no dogs allowed” section of a public beach, and although this results in a $400 fine – $300 for the dog, and $100 for not having his wallet (a nice nod of continuity to the first episode, in which Wilfred (unbeknownst to Ryan) leaves his wallet at the doorstep of a house the vandalized – this act of affection and loyalty really touches Wilfred, propelling their friendship forward.  Because of this, Wilfred feels even more violated when Ryan tricks Wilfred into going to the vet in order to please Jenna; but Wilfred quickly returns the favor when, while dosing off under the anesthesia, he tells Ryan that “Jenna has a dick.”  Of course Wilfred is intentionally misleading with this comment, but I’ll stop here – I don’t want to spoil the pun.

Last week’s premiere proved thematically compelling due to Wilfred’s dichotomous role as an absurdly personified canine companion and an existentialist mentor; and just as “Happiness” provided last week’s thematic soil in which Wilfred could bury his philosophical bone, this week’s sentiments on “Trust” speak to similar notions of Ryan’s spiritual awakening. At the start of the episode, Ryan reveals his disheartenment over the engagement of his ex-girlfriend, a year-long relationship he immediately terminated following an – ehem – unsolicited finger-probing of his anus during love-making:  “Ryan, I think you’re not being honest with yourself about this break-up,” Wilfred says. “There’s a deeper issue here, deeper than Paula’s finger could ever reach.”

As we come to find throughout the episode, that deeper issue surrounds Ryan’s hesitancy and even defensiveness toward allowing intimacy with other people.  This presents an interesting perspective on Ryan’s relationship with Wilfred: Ryan needs Wilfred in his life because not only is Wilfred not a human being, he is also essentially a projection of Ryan’s own subconscious.  With this revelation on Ryan’s problems of intimacy, it seems as though Wilfred entered Ryan’s life in order to (rather ironically) motivate Ryan to become a more open and honest human being, both with himself and with others. 

Based on the trends we can see between the first two episodes, it appears that Ryan’s existential journey within himself will be the thematic centerpiece of each episode.  The first episode surrounded Ryan’s perception of happiness, the second concerning his issues of trusting others…with next week’s episode entitled “Fear,” we can only imagine that Ryan’s journey will have some major twists and turns waiting ahead for him.