Wilfred (TV series)

When Adam is invited back to Sarah’s place after meeting her at a concert it all seems too good to be true, until he’s introduced to Sarah’s dog, Wilfred. Wilfred offers him a bong and quickly sizes up Adam as a lightweight. Wilfred encounters Adam again during the night and has no problem coercing him into making nachos.

Adam awakes from a bad dream, unsure of exactly what he’s got himself into. When Sarah leaves to do some shopping Wilfred explains to Adam the source of Sarah’s unhappiness. Adam tries to help by cleaning up the yard but a discovery spooks him into a panic. His attempt at escape is interrupted by Sarah, who easily convinces him to stay for dinner. Even Wilfred appears to be warming to Adam, providing him with a change of clothes and even accompanying him to the pub. Over a couple of beers Wilfred questions Adam’s motives and reminds him that he’s the one who’ll have to pick up the pieces if he walks out on Sarah.

Back home, some dinner, some TV and our young lovers already seem to be slipping into a relationship of convenience.

Adam and Sarah’s relationship is blossoming. When things are at their best, Sarah takes the opportunity to tell Adam how important it is that he and Wilfred get on well. She gives Adam the ‘single mum’ speech: She and Wilfred come as a package. Adam convinces her that he loves Wilfred and to prove it he decides to spend some quality time with him.

Wilfred is in his den – depressed. He’s sleeping more than usual and he’s gone off his food. He says he’s very sick and “could be on the way out” – this may have something to do with the pizza Adam bought him the night before. He gives Adam a list of instructions of what to do should he die.

Because Adam has done the “naughty boy” on Sarah – he is therefore obliged to look after her.

Adam and Wilfred have a bonding session in the den – swilling beers and pulling bongs. Wilfred bemoans his lost tennis balls. A cheerful Adam offers to climb on the roof and retrieve them. In doing so, he falls and has to be taken to hospital. He wakes to find Sarah by his side. She tells him that Wilfred has been worried sick and has been fretting. When Adam arrives back home in a neck brace – Wilfred greets him with genuine glee. But this is short lived.

Sarah is aware of the growing tension between Wilfred and Adam and calls a meeting. She demands a ceasefire.

Adam apologises to Wilfred and Wilfred says, “No hard feelings.” It seems like they’re all friends, but as soon as Sarah’s back is turned Wilfred threatens to tear out Adam’s throat. A silent but deadly psychological war is waged behind Sarah’s back. The potential for explosive violence is at every corner.

Adam makes some extra special lamb-chops and asks Wilfred to join he and Sarah for dinner.

When Wilfred suggests they swap plates, Adam is reluctant. Wilfred grabs a stable table and takes his dinner into the den.

Another scheme goes horribly wrong and Sarah ends up in hospital. Wilfred and Adam are faced with the possibility of life without Sarah.

Adam and Sarah are taking Wilfred to the beach. In the car, Wilfred gets wild at the kid in the next car.

At the beach, Adam and Sarah share some quality time together as Wilfred plays in the shallows.

Adam and Wilfred play in the water, with a tennis ball. They drift further out – and get caught in a rip. Wilfred catches a wave all the way into the beach, to the cheering of the sunbathers, while Adam waves frantically and has to be saved. Wilfred joins the crowd and watches as Adam is resuscitated.

Later, Adam ties an angry Wilfred to a table outside the surf lifesaving club. They go in for a beer. They come out to find Wilfred gone, along with the table he was tied to. They search everywhere – then, go to the police. Adam is in trouble once again.

Adam and Sarah arrive home late at night. Sarah is devastated, Adam is white and guess who they find inside?

Wilfred and Adam exchange a glare – this is war.

The doorbell rings. It’s TV vet Jack Underwood. He has received Adam and Sarah’s letter and has come to help Wilfred with his behavioural problems.

Jack spends some ‘one-on-one’ time with Wilfred who is on his best behaviour. Jack and Wilfred get on like old mates and Wilfred shows Jack his latest hole – a crater he can stand in.

Wilfred convinces Jack that he is of sane mind and it is Adam who has the problems. Jack gives Adam a dressing-down and convinces Sarah to let Wilfred sleep on the bed.

Adam can hold his silence no longer. He tells Sarah that Wilfred is manipulative and trying to come between them. Sarah has never heard of anything so ridiculous and refuses to choose between the two. But if she did have to choose…

Sarah sees an ‘old friend’ on TV. Adam and Wilfred, being on each other’s wavelength, crack jokes about this ‘old friend’. Their mirth comes to a grinding halt when Keith turns up on the doorstep. Keith is a well known film star. Wilfred gives Adam a wry smile – “you got your work cut-out for you.” At that moment, Keith introduces his dog, Cyros (played by Angus Sampson). Wilfred also has his work cut out for him.

Keith introduces ‘totem tennis’ to the backyard. Keith and Sarah play. It’s competitive but fun. Keith plays Adam and humiliates him. Sarah plays Adam. and a fierce competition ensues. Adam is way too aggressive and freaks Sarah out. Meanwhile, Wilfred and Cyros have been bragging to each other.

Wilfred: Ever caught a tennis ball hurled towards you at 79 km an hour? Cyros: 89 km an hour. Cricket ball.

Keith suggests that everyone just chill out. He takes Sarah down the road to get an ice-cream.

The conflict grows between the two factions. They are all vying for Sarah’s attention. Adam and Wilfred band together to deal with the situation at hand.

Adam and Wilfred are at the park. Wilfred is petulant and Adam has a plan.

Adam goes for a walk, telling Wilfred to have a play. Whilst he is gone Wilfred is captured by two dog catchers. He calls to Adam who walks on by.

Adam goes home and explains to a concerned Sarah that Wilfred has been run-over and is dead. Sarah insists on seeing the body. But Adam says it was very messy and he had a mate on a farm bury and burn it. Sarah is devastated – but with Adam’s support she can get through this.

Meanwhile, Wilfred is in the slammer and has made himself ‘top dog’. He taunts the ‘screws’. He is on death row. The other dogs help him escape with an elaborate scheme.

Sarah conducts a backyard burial ceremony for Wilfred and all hell breaks loose.

Sarah breaks-up with Adam. This comes as a surprise. Although Adam is upset, he says he understands and tells her to call him should she change her mind.

We follow Adam home to where he lives. He puts his bag in the kitchen, checks his answering machine and emails. We catch a glimpse of Adam’s life without Wilfred and Sarah. But he’s philosophical about it – and vows to throw himself into his work.

The next day an executor of Sarah’s ex-boyfriend’s estate turns up and informs Sarah that the house has to be auctioned immediately.

Wilfred calls on Adam’s chivalrous nature and manages to get him to do something about it with unexpected and disastrous results.

Wilfred and Adam are inextricably entwined once more. Can things ever be the same?