Review: #WilfredFX , Season 1, Ep. 5 "Respect" (A Cheese Eating Dog With A God Complex?)

Air Date: Thursday, July 21, 2011 10PM E/P

Rating ★★★★★

“Seek respect mainly from thyself, for it comes first from within.” ~ Steven H. Coogler

Is it wrong how much I love a show I feel warrants a warning before you read the review? It’s simply joyous!

Warning – “Respect” has a few lewd sexual references and terminology.

If someone isn’t watching Wilfred because of the slightly off-colored comedy, I get it. This type of blunt and abrupt humor isn’t easy for everyone to digest. It’s similar to why Wilfred (Jason Gann) shouldn’t eat cheese—because of what it does to his stomach. But fortunately for me, I’m cool with the raunchy comedy and I’m lactose tolerant, so bring on the cheese!

Ryan (Elijah Wood) feels like a bit of a loser after meeting Jenna’s (Fiona Gubelmann) friend Nick (Charles Esten), whom she featured for her ‘Hero of the Week’ segment at the TV station. Nick’s done extensive charitable work building houses in Africa. “Solar powered of course. They each have the carbon footprint of a tiny African baby. Oh and I made them shoes.” Brag much, Nick? Obviously Ryan feels embarrassed as evidenced by his condescending comment to Ryan saying he’s like the “great white Oprah.”

Review: #WilfredFX , Season 1, Ep. 5 "Respect" (A Cheese Eating Dog With A God Complex?) 1

L-R: Lisa (guest star Rashida Jones) and Ryan (Elijah Wood) look on as the patients coo over Wilfred (not seen)

By the way, did you notice Ryan says, “Well, my Mondays are usually pretty light,” when it’s actually Thursday? Has he been so baked he’s forgotten what day of the week it is? To make it worse, a young girl with a petition to save the local hospice center tells Ryan to ignore the address portion because she thinks he’s homeless. That does it! It’s time to take action. Ryan decides volunteering at the local hospice will greatly benefit his social standing but Wilfred isn’t quite so keen on the idea. “You mean like community service? That’s for drunks and wife beaters, not decent folk like us. Now come on, let’s go over to the playground and blaze a fatty.” Seriously, I don’t know how Jenna can’t smell the THC on Wilfred. If he’s not smoking a cigarette, he’s got his paws on a bong.

Rashida Jones guest stars this week as Lisa, the admin at the hospice. She’s seen plenty of shallow volunteers but her opinion changes when they discover Wilfred lying in bed next to an elderly man who’s just passed on. Could Wilfred have a nose for death? Probably not; he’s just stoned and needed a nap.

The hijinks that ensue in “Respect” keep me laughing, chortling, and even giggle-snorting hysterically. One of my favorite scenes is where Ryan organizes photos for a patient, Mr. Helms (E.J. Callahan), but Mr. Helms mistakes Ryan for a French hooker named Betty: “Toss my salad…do it you little whore.” (Can someone please get me a clean pair of Depends, I just wet myself. LOL!)

Review: #WilfredFX , Season 1, Ep. 5 "Respect" (A Cheese Eating Dog With A God Complex?) 2

Does Wilfred (Jason Gann) have a nose for sniffing out death?

However, nurse Ruby (Ellia English) sees right through Wilfred’s charades. Could Ruby be able to see something about Wilfred, something he doesn’t want anyone else to know—especially Ryan? Ryan knows he needs to put a stop to all this but Wilfred has his own agenda. The rooftop scene is another one of my favorite scenes in “Respect.” The rain-soaked conversation is fantastical!

Funny Lines:

Wilfred to Ryan: “Relax Ryan, this is what you wanted isn’t it, to be a well regarded douche bag?”

One patient offers up a sexual favor in exchange for Wilfred’s divine service, “I’ll suck your dick!” To which Wilfred replies, “That’s a good pitch, but I want to hear others.” He’s shameless. I love it!

I like that the writers revealed a bit of Jenna’s ruthless side. After an incident at the hospice, Jenna decides to nix the ‘Hero of the Week’ feature on Ryan and Wilfred to go after a juicy exclusive in spite of Lisa asking her not to. Jenna isn’t just the sweet innocent neighbor she appears to be. I’m looking forward to seeing more of the devious side of Jenna.

Tune in to Wilfred, Thursdays at 10PM E/P only on FX.
Photos © FX Network, All Rights Reserved.

For more on the show go to http://www.fxnetworks.com/shows/originals/wilfred/.
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Judy Manning

Dream chaser extraordinaire! Judy tends to be a tad sarcastic and kind of goofy! She is an avid admirer of all things supernatural, paranormal, celestial and mystical. She loves to read, write, and watches way too much TV. She enjoys many genres of film and music (and let's be honest, most music from the 80s). She also has a wicked sweet tooth. Cupcakes beware.