Ep 7. Avoidance

Ryan, the protagonist of the show, is avoiding the upcoming anniversary of his beloved dog, Sneakers' tragic death. Ryan has not been able to accept the fact that his dog is no more and has been avoiding thinking about Sneakers for the past three years. At the start of the episode we see Ryan trying to avoid an email and a package related to Sneakers sent by his sister.

Wilfred, Ryan's dog, tries to push Ryan to come to terms with Sneakers' death and suggests that Ryan visit his father's grave to get a sense of closure. But Ryan is reluctant to do so and instead tries to keep himself occupied by planning a housewarming party as an excuse to avoid the anniversary. Interestingly enough, Wilfred, who is usually the mischievous and rebellious dog depicted in the show, seems to be trying to make things better for Ryan by taking a more empathetic route.

When Wilfred realizes that Ryan is not going to deal with his grief, he takes a different approach and acts as a therapist himself. Wilfred confronts Ryan on how he has completely shut himself off emotionally and advises him to visit his father's grave where he can share his experiences with Sneakers with someone who truly understands what he is going through. And so, Wilfred takes Ryan to the cemetery to visit his father's grave where they both spend time talking about Sneakers and Ryan's father.

Meanwhile, Ryan's sister, who is still grieving the loss of Sneakers too, tries to get Ryan to accept her gift which consists of Sneakers' old leash and collar. Ryan, feeling resentment towards his sister and the whole concept of letting go of Sneakers, resorts to lying in order to avoid accepting the gift.

At the end of the episode, Ryan is able to come to terms with Sneakers' death and the importance of having a sense of closure. It all begins when Ryan finally musters the courage to accept his sister's gift and puts on Sneakers' old collar and leash. This triggers a burst of emotions in Ryan and he starts experiencing flashbacks of memories of Sneakers and how his presence had comforted him through life.

The episode ends with Ryan inviting his sister over and thanking her for the gift, finally opening up to her about the true extent of his grief. Wilfred, the wise dog we all need in our lives, had managed to steer Ryan towards a cathartic experience of acceptance and ended up providing insight by sharing his original purpose of being there for Ryan.

Overall, Wilfred Season 2 episode 7 provides an emotional and poignant depiction of grief, avoidance, and the need for closure, while still maintaining the humor and quirkiness characteristic of the show. The episode serves as an excellent reminder of the importance of being vulnerable and addressing one's emotions, all with the help of a wise and mischievous dog dressed in a goofy costume.