We got a little bit of insight into Ryan's psyche and family history when Mary Steenburgen appeared on 'Wilfred' (Thu., 10PM ET on FX). She played his mother, who's spent the last 20 years in a mental institution of her own free will.

But now, she's ready to step back into the real world, and where better to do that than with her estranged son Ryan. After she shows Wilfred some love, he's all for giving Mom a second chance, and completely attaches himself to her.

But Mom proves to be a little off-center still, and Ryan was simply too inflexible to allow her outlandish stories and behavior. But really, was she that much more embarrassing than anyone else's mother? Okay, the mooning incident was a bit much.

When he goes to take her back, it turns out it's Ryan who's being put in for a 72-hour evaluation. Considering his closest friend is an Australian talking dog, this idea isn't as out there as it may seem. But a lack of true craziness, and insurance, sets Ryan free to prepare for his next adventure.

At the end of the episode, we saw Momma Steenburgen reunited with her cat from the facility, and we see that she sees the cat as Rhea Perlman in a cat costume. So whatever's going on with Ryan and Wilfred isn't unique to him and maybe he does have a deeper craziness in his future.

Maybe 'Wilfred' is exploring a man at the frayed edges of sanity. He's lost his job, has no focus in his life, and sees his neighbor's dog as a man who abuses him on a regular basis.

Is it just Ryan abusing himself? Will he fall off the precipice and go hang out with his mom at the nuthouse, or pull it together by the end and finally see Wilfred as just a dog.