Twin Peaks

[Sven]

Watching through the series with Ms. Iosos here. It's pretty fabulous. I'd seen the first season already, and I'm definitely wondering, after watching 2.1 last night, how things are gonna pan out.

I have reached a realization that when it all comes down to the wire, I'm actually quite uninterested in the intrigue of the plot. All that backstabbing, sleeping around, sleuthing, unethical business practicing, whoring, dope-pushing, in-league-with-criminals stuff. I don't really care how the story ends. It's all (intentional) overwrought tawdry melodrama--liken it to the soap opera that the characters watch, Invitation to Love. What IS fascinating is the psychology of the show. Not the what, but the how and why. The surreal moments, wild character motivations and actions, and frequently interesting direction, not to mention the lovely soundtrack, are what elevate this unremarkable narrative into genius-territory. Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent Dale Cooper is one of the most darling and interesting characters I've ever seen.

And Ray Wise is so great as Leland.

Anyway, I think that episode 2.1 is one of Lynch's finest creations, kind of tucked away in there, but keep an eye out for it. It has so many dazzling scenes (Bobby and his dad at the diner, Bobby and Shelley in the hospital, Cooper and his Giant, Andy getting hit in the head with a board, Donna's transformation into femme fatale, Madeleine's vision in the carpet, Leland singing that "Mares eat oats and does eat oats and little lambs eat ivy" while the Horne brothers shuffle... so many more!) and its ambience - its weirdness - is classic Lynch, which is never less than entertaining when transplanted in Small Townsville.

Pick up the box set at your local retailer today!

[D_Davis]

Bobby and his dad at the diner

This is, without a doubt, my favorite moment of the series, and probably my favorite moment of any television show, ever. I love this scene.

[Sven]

This is, without a doubt, my favorite moment of the series, and probably my favorite moment of any television show, ever. I love this scene.

[

Show Spoiler

One of the things that I love so much about this episode is the way Bobby's character is given a kind of 180. In the first season, he's a hopeless delinquent, but this episode, with the genuine tenderness of that scene and the one with Shelley, gives us hope that Bobby will be okay. Which is awesome.

]

[Spinal]

Watching through the series with Ms. Iosos here. It's pretty fabulous. I'd seen the first season already, and I'm definitely wondering, after watching 2.1 last night, how things are gonna pan out.

It kind of goes downhill around the middle of the second season. But still ... Heather Graham ... The final episode finally finds a way to inject new life into the series, but alas, it was too late to save the show.

[D_Davis]

It kind of goes downhill around the middle of the second season. But still ... Heather Graham ... The final episode finally finds a way to inject new life into the series, but alas, it was too late to save the show.

Once they bring on Cooper's nemesis, Windham Earl, it really picks up. The final 7 episodes are pretty damn amazing.

I will always wish, though, that the white and black lodges, and the UFO stuff was touched upon more. Major Briggs' story arc is way too cool to leave it unfinished.

[Sven]

It kind of goes downhill around the middle of the second season. But still ... Heather Graham ... The final episode finally finds a way to inject new life into the series, but alas, it was too late to save the show.

Yeah, so I've heard. From what I understand, Lynch didn't even really want the show to go on as long as it did, and he wanted to leave it very open and unresolved.

I will always wish, though, that the white and black lodges, and the UFO stuff was touched upon more. Major Briggs' story arc is way too cool to leave it unfinished.

[D_Davis]

Yeah, so I've heard. From what I understand, Lynch didn't even really want the show to go on as long as it did, and he wanted to leave it very open and unresolved.

It could have used another half season, like the first. Perhaps another 7 episodes to really finish things up.

[Sycophant]

Aw, man. Netflix doesn't seem to have the first season or the gold box thingy. Guess I'm gonna have to save up a bit of money. I really need to watch this.

[Sven]

It's pretty incredible, the noticeable quality flux between episodes directed by Lynch and those not. Episode 2.2 is also quite incredible, Lynch-wise, and one I wouldn't hesitate to rank up there with the better part of his film work. The musical number by James, Donna, and Madeleine is great. This show rocks!

[ledfloyd]

Yeah, so I've heard. From what I understand, Lynch didn't even really want the show to go on as long as it did, and he wanted to leave it very open and unresolved.

actually lynch wanted the show to go on much longer than it did. but he didn't want laura palmer's murder resolved until the last episode. nbc more or less forced him to solve it sooner, and killed the show.

[Russ]

nbc more or less forced him to solve it sooner, and killed the show.

abc

[chrisnu]

actually lynch wanted the show to go on much longer than it did. but he didn't want laura palmer's murder resolved until the last episode. nbc more or less forced him to solve it sooner, and killed the show.

Hmm. I thought Lynch didn't want the story ever resolved.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twin_Peaks

In the featurette "A Slice of David Lynch", included with the 2007 "Gold Box Edition" DVD release of the complete series, Lynch expressed his regret at having resolved the Laura Palmer murder, stating he and Frost had never intended for the series to answer the question and that doing so "killed the goose that laid the golden eggs". Lynch directly blames network pressure for the decision to resolve the Palmer storyline prematurely.

I haven't purchased the Gold Box Edition DVD set, but I believe it.

[Spinal]

It kind of goes downhill around the middle of the second season. But still ... Heather Graham ... The final episode finally finds a way to inject new life into the series, but alas, it was too late to save the show.

Once they bring on Cooper's nemesis, Windham Earl, it really picks up. The final 7 episodes are pretty damn amazing.

I just rewatched the series. D_Davis was right. There are really only about 4 truly bad episodes in Season 2, stuck in between the two major story arcs. I think I was overly dismissive way back in 2007.

[Skitch]

I just rewatched the series. D_Davis was right. There are really only about 4 truly bad episodes in Season 2, stuck in between the two major story arcs.

I just watched the series for the first time, and I agree. Except I think it was more like 6 or 7, and I didn't think they were bad really they just didn't add anything to the main arc, which was confusing. We just wandered around Twin Peaks for a stint. But admittedly, it may have been from impatience while plowing through episode after episode for weeks.

[Kurious Jorge v3.1]

I'm showing the series to my friend (not a big Lynch fan) and we knocked out the Pilot-Episode 5 in one night, and you can't iamgine the thrill of watching the series again and watching a Lynch hater come around as well (he's blown away!)

[Acapelli]

Is it strange that I'm mad at Bobby for trying to get with Audrey? Audrey's way too good for that little dildo.

And other than the James going down the road stuff, I've loved everything about the show so far (although the Nadine in high school parts do drag a bit).

[Kurious Jorge v3.1]

And other than the James going down the road stuff, I've loved everything about the show so far (although the Nadine in high school parts do drag a bit).

aahh, brooding James and his gourd-shaped head.

[Acapelli]

Also, wtf, Josie in a bedside table?

[D_Davis]

(although the Nadine in high school parts do drag a bit).

This is, by far, my least favorite thing about Twin Peaks. I can't stand this sub-plot. It is stupid and annoying.

[Acapelli]

I wish there was more.

[Sycophant]

I plowed through the first 17ish episodes of this series in about 2 or 3 weeks. Then it took me nearly 3 months to watch the remaining 12. After the first arc, the quality of the show drops off completely. The show's direction and cinematography fee like they're straight up out of something else immediately after. The show drastically changes nearly every character and throw a bunch of shit at the wall and unfortunately left it all up for a long time. Too much zaniness, not enough... oddness. (That sentiment could be phrased better.) The last 3 episodes or so get a little more interesting and confident, especially when Lynch himself is behind the camera. Still, at that point, I had been basically drained of my interest in and engagement with the characters, and the last plot twist before the show ends forever gets more of a "huh" from me than anything else.

First 17 episodes are pretty damn good though.

[Lucky]

You guys just starting off are watching the pilot first, right?

Is that on instant view?

Yep. It was a double 2 hr episode.

[D_Davis]

Cool. For years the pilot was completely unavailable, even when the DVDs were finally released.

I had to order an import bootleg of it. I also have DVD version of the European cut, which turned the pilot into a complete movie with an ending.

[MadMan]

I finished Season 1 a while back and I'm currently on Season 2 (the fifth episode). Season 1 was amazing, and I loved how it concluded, too. [

Show Spoiler

Cooper getting shot was a huge shocker.

]

Once I finish the series I'll be watching Twin Peaks Fire Walk With Me next. I'll have to rent that via DVD from Netflix, though.

[Lucky]

Finished Season 1. Add me to the "like, not love" camp. My thoughts essentially echo Rowland's on Page 1. I don't find that conscious awareness of using soap opera cliches make the applied cliches any more appealing. Melodrama only works for me if the characters are engaging enough to carry the show and don't rely on the superficial plot devices. The entire town of Twin Peaks has introduced me to only a handful of characters I give a damn about. At least Audrey Horne has good taste. She seems as bored as I am with these townspeople and is attracted to the other best character in the series.