The folks that 'hate' this show....just don't get it. It is a multi- layered show, comedic to be sure, but also dark, disturbing, and full of mystery.
Each episode begins with a word and corresponding quotation, the first episode starting with a quote from Mark Twain, "Sanity and happiness are an impossible combination".
The show is full of little references and clues...for instance, Ryan lying down to die, with the book "Dune" next to him on the nightstand, which Wilfred quotes from later, "Fear is the mind killer, the little death that brings total obliteration."
Wilfred says, several times and in different situations, "You, me, it's all the same." and similar statements that lead one to believe that the part of Wilfred that only Ryan hears/sees is in his mind.
Is Ryan dead, sleeping, in a coma, somewhere in between? The finale did not answer any of those questions, but created more. The basement where Wilfred and Ryan hang out the majority of the time does not exist. In episode 8 ("Anger soon as fed is dead, tis starving makes it fat" Emily Dickenson) Ryan's sister, Kristen expresses surprise when Ryan mentions the basement. The basement contains all sorts of things that should not be there...an old dial-type telephone, a toy oven, his sisters old swim goggles,old toys...the high-powered lawyer Ryan would be unlikely to have these things. Do the basement, and Wilfred, symbolize his subconscious?
At the end of episode 8, Ryan's dog Sneakers (now dead 20 yrs,with Ryan carrying the blame for it until recently) tells him that since now Ryan no longer carries the guilt for his death, Sneakers can now rest in peace, and never bother him again. Ryan closes his eyes for a last snuggle with Sneakers and finally, after 20 years, has a wonderful dream/memory of his childhood, without suffering the guilt which previously woke him in a state of panic.
Watching each episode is like digging deeper for treasure...this show is brilliant. If you don't like it, don't watch it...but don't assume it is an empty piece of trash..."Make no judgment where you have no compassion" Anne McCaffrey (episode 10, Compassion).
Each episode begins with a word and corresponding quotation, the first episode starting with a quote from Mark Twain, "Sanity and happiness are an impossible combination".
The show is full of little references and clues...for instance, Ryan lying down to die, with the book "Dune" next to him on the nightstand, which Wilfred quotes from later, "Fear is the mind killer, the little death that brings total obliteration."
Wilfred says, several times and in different situations, "You, me, it's all the same." and similar statements that lead one to believe that the part of Wilfred that only Ryan hears/sees is in his mind.
Is Ryan dead, sleeping, in a coma, somewhere in between? The finale did not answer any of those questions, but created more. The basement where Wilfred and Ryan hang out the majority of the time does not exist. In episode 8 ("Anger soon as fed is dead, tis starving makes it fat" Emily Dickenson) Ryan's sister, Kristen expresses surprise when Ryan mentions the basement. The basement contains all sorts of things that should not be there...an old dial-type telephone, a toy oven, his sisters old swim goggles,old toys...the high-powered lawyer Ryan would be unlikely to have these things. Do the basement, and Wilfred, symbolize his subconscious?
At the end of episode 8, Ryan's dog Sneakers (now dead 20 yrs,with Ryan carrying the blame for it until recently) tells him that since now Ryan no longer carries the guilt for his death, Sneakers can now rest in peace, and never bother him again. Ryan closes his eyes for a last snuggle with Sneakers and finally, after 20 years, has a wonderful dream/memory of his childhood, without suffering the guilt which previously woke him in a state of panic.
Watching each episode is like digging deeper for treasure...this show is brilliant. If you don't like it, don't watch it...but don't assume it is an empty piece of trash..."Make no judgment where you have no compassion" Anne McCaffrey (episode 10, Compassion).