"Truth may sometimes hurt, but delusion harms." Vanna Bonta
Even though there wasn't going to be a recap for last week's Wilfred, the comedy went ahead and aired a new episode anyway. How dare they? Or is it delusional to think that FX would paws (sorry) the series while some of us were busy watching the Wilfred panel at Comic Con? Speaking of "Delusion," it was also the titular theme of the missed installment (coincidence? well, no) that, along with this week's "Intuition," continued the third season's string of solid if safe episodes. I say safe only because I know how genius the show can be when it goes crazy. There have also been a few interesting developments in the serialized storyline with "Shame" introducing Kristen Schaal's recurring roommate (Anne), "Delusion" turning on Ryan's ongoing romantic feelings for Jenna and, finally, "Intuition" bringing Ryan's father Henry (played by the great James Remar) fully into the picture. Okay, maybe introducing one of the series' most mysterious characters isn't exactly playing it safe. Especially, when the episode hinges on a few dream sequences.
"Intuition is more important to discovery than logic." Henri Poincaré
Dream sequences are probably some of the easiest to write (depending on how literal you want to get with the themes) but also one of the hardest things to get right. That doesn't stop almost every show ever from trying, whether or not they fit with that show's tone or method of character development and storytelling. Of course, when you're dealing with a psychological comedy like Wilfred not having dreams play some role would be out of place and luckily, David Zuckerman - the man responsible for adapting the Australian show for the US - was the person responsible for writing them in series first episode that really hinged on (and played with) the 'is it all a dream' angle. Or, more specifically and explicitly, what is and isn't real. Oh, and mid-dream was also a pretty bold and compelling way to work Remar's Henry into the show. I, frankly, was shocked. They were so quiet about it at Comic-Con, I figured it had to still be quite a ways off. Before jumping into the opening dream (nightmare) of "Intuition," I also have to add how odd it is that the two shows I recap, this and Comedy Central's Futurama, both aired a Scooby Doo inspired episode within a week of each other. But that's a story for "Coincidence." Okay, that's not an episode.
"It's just a dog. He can't talk to you."
"Intuition" is an episode and it opens with Ryan struggling with a bout of insomnia, probably thanks to the recent decision to cut Jenna out of his life. Or that's at least one of the reasons going by the dreams - I will be 'reading' them all, enjoy. The other thing on his mind since, well, since the series began is his absent father and he's the subject of the first dream when Ryan finally catches some rest after watching some Scooby Doo. He 'wakes up' to Anne telling him that someone is waiting in his office, the basement, and it turns out to be his father. And the shock doesn't stop there with Henry immediately confronting his son about his dark secrets including sex acts with a stuffed giraffes, shitting in his neighbor's boot and, of course, Wilfred. It's worth nothing (or obvious) that the things on the list were actually committed by Ryan's canine best friend. Or were they? Cue the ominous music. Just when the sequence seemed to on the nose for the show, we snapped back to reality and Ryan's clock at 3:05 a.m. As an insomniac, I have to interject for second and ask if that's really the all hope is lost time for most people? Mine was always anything after 4.
"Have you ever felt like part of your mind is trying to tell you something?"
Anyway, when Ryan really wakes up (unless the whole thing is a reality reversal like the aforementioned "Progress"), he's greeted by Anne on the toilet and Wilfred taking pictures of said, uh, experience. It turns out he's quite the poop-photography hobbyist, even adding a psychological interpretation to the bowel movements he captures. He's also quick to remind Ryan that dreams are often your own mind trying to tell you something, like his human friend who may or may not have made the dog's personality up is unfamiliar with that concept. The walk and talk also leads to the other story in "Intuition," Old Gene's Rear Window-esque inspired encounter. Like The Simpsons' "Bart of Darkness" with a little The 'burbs. Sorry, no 'Simpsons did it,' that's unfair. 25 years. There's also another appearance from J-Beans, looking cute as ever in a new bandana. R.I.P. Ryan heads over to see Kristen because she's a doctor but ore importantly also his sister and can give him unprescribed drugs to help with his dad sex dreams. Instead of turning to the pills (probably a good idea considering his recent-ish suicide attempt), he heads out for a late night walk and happens to run into Wilfred, who happens to then run into Gene burying a body. Something stinks! All they've got as far as evidence though is Wilfred's gut and a photo of an empty toilet.
"No! Well, yeah. It was long and painful. It was one of those shits that had, like a bird beak. But that's not it, take look at this."
Besides Ryan's gut is saying that the dog is once again screwing with him, so maybe he should listen to that? Psst. He should. It is the math that adds up to murder, just a different equation. Or whatever. The next dream, the intervention, is once again played as 'real' and also lets us know that Jenna is still very much on his mind, right there with his only trying to help father. Ryan wakes in a panic and rushes outside to find Wilfred with news that Gene's trying to move the body. Very slowly. The pair decide to follow the old man during the chase Ryan learns what dogs think of Scooby Doo. Not good. Once they see the old man throw his dead 'wife' off the bridge, Wilfred scrambles after for evidence with Ryan not far behind. They return home all wet and find Gene waiting on the porch! Music! Except he's explains the whole misunderstanding. Well, not all of it. Poor guy. Feels responsible for J-Bizzle's death. Wilfred's really sick, dudes. Oh well, Ryan's got more pressing matters to worry about with the pill kicking in right when he's on the way to brunch with his family. I wonder if Kristen staged the father-son grocery store encounter. Remember to pick up the champagne! Looks like we're in for a not so safe, perhaps pretty crazy episode next week. I can't wait!
"It was the perfect plan. And I would have gotten away with it too if it weren't for you meddling kid!"
Wilfred returns with Episode 8, "Perspective," on Thursday, July 18 at 10 p.m. ET on FX.
