WILFRED Introduces New Love in “Letting Go”

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Wilfred Season 2 Premiere “Letting Go” Review.

“Some of us think holding on makes us strong, but sometimes it is letting go.” – Herman Hesse

“Letting Go” isn’t nearly as balls-to-the-wall bizarre as last week’s season opener, “Progress,” but it still contains that irresistible Wilfred charm that comes from putting a dog in warped situations. In this case, we are gifted with the idea of Ryan buying illegal steroids so Wilfred can perform well in one of those doggy obstacle courses. The lead up to actually getting the steroids is the funniest, as we have to watch Ryan awkwardly approach this beefcake of a man, assuming he would be someone who uses the drugs only for the man to become insulted. And when someone does have what Ryan’s after he wants a blowjob as a payment. Thankfully, Ryan manages to talk him down to $150 and a hug. Gosh, I love how twisted this show is.

The premiere introduced the character of Amanda – played by Smallville’s Allison Mack – who is supposed to serve as an alternate love interest to Jenna. In her first appearance, she was largely forgettable as the bigger task was focused on getting Ryan out of his daydream, but at least we knew she existed. “Letting Go” does a much better job of setting up who she is and does so in a single scene. As far as a love interest goes, I’ve never been overly fond of Jenna. I guess I just don’t see what Ryan sees in her outside of her physical appearance. She doesn’t have much of a personality for someone who is a main character, whereas Amanda immediately set herself up as someone who is confident in her appearance and isn’t afraid to come out say “Hey, I’ve been hitting on you!” And her “edgy sense of humor which sometimes crosses the line” is fun and adorable. In a single scene I’ve become way more invested in Ryan and Amanda than I ever was in Ryan and Jenna.

Wilfred also senses there are better options out there for Ryan as he constantly tells him to just forget about Jenna and move on. Wilfred should be taking his own advice. He’s wrapped up in getting Drew’s approval, hence becoming involved in the obstacle course. It’s a little ham-fisted tying it in with Ryan’s problem – you can see the connection coming a mile away – but you kind of have to forgive the show for its lack of subtlety when it gives you a man in a dog suit destroying an obstacle course on the beach. You just don’t get that kind of reward anywhere else.

I was hoping Wilfred would continue to push the boundaries of psychological humor, but this is a show that still needs to have an audience. If every episode were a trip through Ryan’s psyche, Wilfred would be canceled faster than you could say jellybean. “Letting Go” offers a safer way to watch Wilfred with less headache, but ultimately a shallower experience. That’s not a con. I want to stress that this episode is not in anyway bad for wanting to be accessible. There is room for both types of episodes, so long as Wilfred stays away from anything too mainstream. When it starts to feel like just any other sitcom, that’s when I feel this show is in trouble. But it managed to dodge that ball by offering a strange scenario coupled with a typical life lesson. Wilfred needs balance, and I think “Letting Go” was a good example of how that balance should look.