Ep 5. Respect

In the fifth episode of the first season of Wilfred, titled Respect, we see the show's protagonist, Ryan, struggling to earn the respect of his coworkers. Ryan has taken on a new job in order to impress his girlfriend's father, who sees him as a slacker, and he wants to prove himself as a responsible adult.

The episode begins with Ryan trying to impress his co-workers by working hard and being professional. However, his efforts go unnoticed and he begins to feel frustrated. Meanwhile, Wilfred, who is Ryan's neighbor's dog, continues to put Ryan in compromising positions, including encouraging him to drink at work and pulling pranks on his boss.

As Ryan's frustration grows, he starts to see Wilfred as a symbol of everything wrong with his life. He believes that if he can gain Wilfred's respect, he'll be able to earn the respect of his coworkers and finally be seen as a responsible adult.

To earn Wilfred's respect, Ryan decides to take him on a camping trip. However, things quickly go awry when Wilfred leads Ryan on a dangerous hike, leaving Ryan stranded on a cliff and forced to spend the night in the wilderness. The episode takes a darker turn as Ryan's desperation to prove himself becomes increasingly dangerous.

Throughout the episode, we see Ryan struggle to navigate the expectations of his job and his personal life, while Wilfred serves as a reminder of the chaos that can ensue when we try to gain the respect of others at any cost. The episode ends with Ryan realizing that he doesn't need to prove anything to anyone but himself and that sometimes it's better to let go of our need for approval and just enjoy life.

Overall, Respect is a thought-provoking episode that explores the complexities of identity and the importance of self-worth. The episode is both humorous and dark, and it leaves viewers thinking about the ways in which they seek validation from others and the potential consequences of those actions.