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Before I watchedTwin Peaks, I already knew the major plot points.
And even knowing major plot points didn’t spoil my experience of watchingTwin Peaks.
Credit: ABC
you could watchTwin Peaksfor the Laura Palmer stuff.
But there’s more toTwin Peaks complicated legacy than Laura.
The “more” is season 2. you could split the season into four parts:
1.
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Trippy, semi-philosophical mid-century American myth recontextualized via freaky end-of-the-millennium paranoia and post-theistic spiritualism.2.
Skewed dark but intentionally satire of small-town life.3.
Shockingly un-quote-marked pretty-person primetime soap opera, essentially a slightly weirder version ofDynastyorKnots Landing.4.
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Legitimately moving character drama.
Any of these shows would be a good show.
And it is possible to feel frustrated withanyof these shows.
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If you’re fully engaged with the deep-weird supernatural elements of the show, theorize (in vain!)
that Special Guest Star Billy Zane is the One-Armed Man’s cousin.
The dissonance is unsettling and frequently fascinating.
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And in the episode after that moment at that character’s funeral!
From mythic tragedy to randy-old-dude comedy soap, in no time flat!
Circa 1991, this probably played frustratingly for any viewer.
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I loveHandmaid’s Tale.
Maybe it’s an unfair comparison.Twin Peakswas always supposed to be a weird show full of weird people.
“Innocence” is a thematic signpost on this show it will either be lost, or it isalreadylost.
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Is the show targeting Annie as a new victim?
Miss Twin Peaks is either the most or least successful storyline of the second season.
The season, in general, loses track of the major female characters on the show.
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And there are a few too many sexy-women-are-funny gags (see aforementioned redheaded gold-digging sexpot).
And the fact that Miss Twin Peaks just parades the women in an old-fashioned context feels retrograde.
It’s like the show is serving up a new victim.
And the fact that Miss Twin Peaks is filmed wholly sincerely there are dance numbers and meaningful speeches!
It’s a stunning, casually horrific two-minute shot.
By this point, Annie’s working at the diner and Agent Cooper is full in wuv.
Annie tries to clear up the debris but a hand comes from offscreen, grasping hers.
It’s a romantic gesture, but in context, it doesn’t quite feel that way.
“Couldn’t hurt to give it a shot,” says Cooper.
Cooper sits down for coffee.
They talk about St. Augustine and they talk about Heisenberg.
Initially, we hear light diner music on the soundtrack.
Then, as the cameraslowlymoves back, the freakier tones of Angelo Badalamenti’s score come in.
These two characters are flirting, talking about how much they have in common, forming a bond.
They are so happy they can barely restrain themselves, but the tone of the scene is unnerving.
We catch sight of another customer.
Cooper stands up and leans in for a kiss.
There is finally an edit as they smooch and then the loud sound of a crash.
reckon it’s, by leaning in for a kiss, Cooper knocked over a coffee cup.
In the world ofTwin Peaks, there is no worse omen than wasted coffee.
(To the extent that that murder was ever actually solved.)
But without a doubt, Laura Palmer was the glue that keptTwin Peakstogether.
Without her, the show is off in a million directions.
Does he become the show’s problem?
But Cooper-as-problem runs deeper as the show continues.
Having been granted this revelation, Young Goodman Brown returns to the town in the daytime a changed man.
But he just looks at her sadly.
But the story continues.
Goodman Brown isn’t sad because his whole town is evil.
He’s sad because he thinks he’s the only person who is truly good.
Is it possible to feel nostalgic for a dead girl?
We might have an answer when the show starts again on Showtime.
Either way, the second season ofTwin Peakshas only gotten better.
No longer a show-killing disappointment, it’s a fascinating look at a phenomenon struggling within itself.
And when that hero looks in the mirror, he shatters it.
And so the show ends.
