The age of Post-Napoleon-Dynamitism has done more than usher in countless cinematic carbon- copies: it has also renewed our hope in the loser as hero. Peggy (Molly Shannon) is a good employee, friend, and selfless aunt to her brother's self-involved family, and in all these relationships one thing is certain: Peggy values loyalty. and although she makes large strides towards virtue in this regard, it is apparent she rarely receives anything in return. indeed, the only relationship that seems mutual at all is with her best friend, a dog named Pencil.

When Peggy discovers Pencil has scourged a bag of poison in her neighbor's garage and died, she enters a state of deep grief. in the episode that fellows, Peggy begins to develop a relationship with ambigusouly asexual fellow animal lover (Peter Saarsgard) which fails for obvious reasons. at this juncture, Peggy goes bonkers. and although her pursuit of purpose and companionship ironically leads her down a path of deepening alienation, she discovers comfort and ultimacy in her own self- acceptance.