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Review: #WilfredFX , Season 1, Ep 7 “Conscience” (Ping Pong Gone Wrong…)

Air Date: Thursday, July 28, 2011 10PM E/P

Rating ★★★★★

“Conscience is the dog that can’t bite, but never stops barking.” ~ Proverb

By now, if you’re still reading my reviews of Wilfred, it’s because you are totally into the slightly off-colored, blunt humor and relish the decadently demented insinuations that drive Wilfred’s (Jason Gann) soul. Well, “Conscience” delivers deviance like no other.

Chris Klein as Drew (CHEBOYAN LAGER...WOOO!)

Jenna’s (Fiona Gubelmann) very competitive “Cheboygan Lager” salesman boyfriend Drew (guest star Chris Klein) is in town and Ryan (Elijah Wood) gets a bird’s eye view of his (ahem) affectionate side. But Drew seems to be a considerate neighbor inviting “Ry-guy” over for burgers and beer at Jenna’s place. Klein absolutely cracks me up in this episode. We all know him from his days in the American Pie movies, but he’s tried not to be pigeon-holed as an actor by taking more dramatic roles in films like Here on Earth and We Were Soldiers (side note: I was an extra in We Were Soldiers; it was filmed on location in my hometown of Columbus/Ft. Benning, GA ). I like him better, though, in the more overtly, obnoxious comedy Just Friends, which may have helped him (unknowingly) prepare for his role as Drew. Here’s this handsome, athletic guy who always seems like he has to prove a point just like Drew does in “Conscience.”

Wilfred doesn’t like Drew despite what Jenna thinks. His seemingly obedient behavior comes as a shock to Ryan because Wilfred never listens to what he says. After being emasculated by Drew, Wilfred hatches a plan to sabotage Drew and Jenna’s relationship by manipulating Ryan into helping him. Of course, Ryan, being such a conscientious guy, has hesitation. But when Drew announces he’s moving to LA to live with Jenna, Ryan reconsiders Wilfred’s plan.

A friendly game of ping pong never hurt anyone... (L-R: Ryan (Elijah Wood), Wilfred (Jason Gann), Drew (Chris Klein)

Ryan decides the only way to break up the “back to back to back orgasms” Drew gives Jenna is to appeal to his competitive side. He put together his old table tennis (it’s ping pong, ok) set which draws Drew in like flies to shit. Wilfred gives Ryan a pep talk of sorts, “I thought you said you were good? I’ve seen more aggressive ball playing in an airport men’s room. Get your head in the game!” Question, when was Wilfred ever near an airport men’s room? It’s amazing how much he knows for being a dog. And why doesn’t anyone else see him smoking a cigarette at the barbeque? After giving Ryan a thorough beating, Drew has an intense celebratory victory dance which Jenna witnesses, causing her to storm away. Mission accomplished…or is it?

There is so much ‘wrong’ in this episode as far as comedy goes but I can’t help myself, I devour it like chocolate, which, if you don’t know, is poisonous to dogs.

Ryan to Wilfred: “I never wanted to dominate you. I just didn’t want to be dominated by you.”

Ryan (Elijah Wood, R) doesn't want to go along with Wilfred's (Jason Gann) diabolical plan to rid themselves of Drew (Chris Klein)

Very interesting revelation right there; Ryan is being dominated by Wilfred but as we go through each episode and as Wilfred continues to test the boundaries of their friendship, Ryan gains a little bit more of his self-worth, his voice, his balls.

One of my favorite scenes is when Wilfred is down in the basement with the chemistry set looking and sounding like a mad-scientist. He calls Ryan and that thick Aussie accent transforms into something a bit more Hitchcockian-posh English like you would find in an old black and white noir.

I must say I’m feeling extremely empathetic for poor Bear. After being rescued from the doggie daycare/peanut butter nightmare in “Acceptance,” he’s thrust back into a slightly brutal, carnal violation by none other than his savior, Wilfred.  Tsk-Tsk.

Tune in to Wilfred, Thursdays at 10PM E/P only on FX.
Photos © 2011 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.

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.