Twin Peaks (1990–1991)

An idiosyncratic FBI Agent investigates the murder of a young woman in the even more idiosyncratic town of Twin Peaks.

Creators:

Mark Frost, David Lynch

Stars:

Kyle MacLachlan, Michael Ontkean, Mädchen Amick

Won 3 Golden Globes. Another 10 wins & 39 nominations.

Cast

Complete series cast summary:
Kyle MacLachlan	...	Special Agent Dale Cooper (30 episodes, 1990-1991)
Michael Ontkean	...	Sheriff Harry S. Truman (30 episodes, 1990-1991)
Mädchen Amick	...	Shelly Johnson (30 episodes, 1990-1991)
Dana Ashbrook	...	Bobby Briggs (30 episodes, 1990-1991)
Richard Beymer	...	Benjamin Horne (30 episodes, 1990-1991)
Lara Flynn Boyle	...	Donna Hayward (30 episodes, 1990-1991)
Sherilyn Fenn	...	Audrey Horne (30 episodes, 1990-1991)
Warren Frost	...	Dr. Will Hayward (30 episodes, 1990-1991)
Peggy Lipton	...	Norma Jennings (30 episodes, 1990-1991)
James Marshall	...	James Hurley (30 episodes, 1990-1991)
Everett McGill	...	Big Ed Hurley (30 episodes, 1990-1991)
Jack Nance	...	Pete Martell (30 episodes, 1990-1991)
Joan Chen	...	Jocelyn Packard (30 episodes, 1990-1991)
Kimmy Robertson	...	Lucy Moran (29 episodes, 1990-1991)
Michael Horse	...	Deputy Tommy 'Hawk' Hill (28 episodes, 1990-1991)
Piper Laurie	...	Catherine Martell (27 episodes, 1990-1991)
Harry Goaz	...	Deputy Andy Brennan (26 episodes, 1990-1991)
Eric DaRe	...	Leo Johnson (24 episodes, 1990-1991)
Wendy Robie	...	Nadine Hurley (22 episodes, 1990-1991)
Ray Wise	...	Leland Palmer (18 episodes, 1990-1991)
Sheryl Lee	...	Madeleine 'Maddy' Ferguson (18 episodes, 1990-1991)
Russ Tamblyn	...	Dr. Lawrence Jacoby (16 episodes, 1990-1991)
Don S. Davis	...	Maj. Garland Briggs (16 episodes, 1990-1991)
Chris Mulkey	...	Hank Jennings (13 episodes, 1990-1991)
Gary Hershberger	...	Mike Nelson (13 episodes, 1990-1991)
Grace Zabriskie	...	Sarah Palmer (13 episodes, 1990-1991)

Storyline

The body of a young girl (Laura Palmer) is washed up on a beach near the small Washington state town of Twin Peaks. FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper is called in to investigate her strange demise only to uncover a web of mystery that ultimately leads him deep into the heart of the surrounding woodland and his very own soul.

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Plot Keywords:

murder | fbi | soul | secret | jealous lover | 

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Taglines:

A town where everyone knows everyone and nothing is what it seems.

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

TV-MA

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Icelandic Afrikaans Norwegian

Release Date:

8 April 1990 (USA)

Also Known As:

Das Geheimnis von Twin Peaks

Filming Locations:

City Studios - 7700 Balboa Blvd., Van Nuys, Los Angeles, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Lynch/Frost Productions, Propaganda Films, Spelling Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

47 min 47 min (29 episodes)

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The weird vocal effects used during the "Black Lodge" sequences were achieved by having the actors learn their lines backwards. The result was then played backwards, meaning the lines came out forwards, but sounded bizarre and otherworldly.

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Goofs

The fact that there was a year's gap between the filming of the pilot episode and the first season's episode is evident in the different hairstyles sported by some of the cast. Although only a night is meant to have passed between the episodes, James Hurley, Sheriff Truman, and Deputy Brennan all have shorter haircuts by the next day. Donna Hayward, Catherine Martell and Audrey Horne (in particular) all have noticeably longer hair by the next day.

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Quotes

Sheriff Truman: Jelly donuts?
Dale Cooper: Harry, that goes without saying.

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Crazy Credits

There are some episodes that don't end with the usual Homecoming Queen photo of Laura Palmer and "Laura Palmer's Theme" in the credits: Episode 2 credits feature the Little Man from Another Place seen from above and dancing. Episode 8 features Gersten Hayward (Alicia Witt) playing the piano. Episode 14 shows Agent Cooper, the red curtains and the song "The World Spins" by Julee Cruise. Episode 18 features Ben Horne's old home movies seen in this same episode. Episode 29 features the coffee cup given to Cooper in the Red Room and Laura's face on it.

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Connections

Spoofed in Scary Movie (2000)

User Reviews

my all-time favorite television show

Angelo Badalamenti's sweet theme begins as smokestacks billow, and a robin assures the viewer of the presence of love in a little town located through the pines, just this side of sanity...or reality. Either way you choose to look at it (and the choice is yours), every episode of this groundbreaking television show grabbed the viewer in its seductive and destructive web... and wouldn't let go. "Twin Peaks" began a string of weird television shows in the early 90's, but, unlike those later shows, "Twin Peaks" would be beloved and remembered long after it was off the air. "Twin Peaks" has earned a spot next to "The Twilight Zone", "Night Gallery", and "Star Trek" in terms of pioneering television and in terms of a cult following deserving of conventions and fanzines. I believe that F.B.I. Special Agent Dale Cooper is one of the most enjoyable and inspiring characters in television history. His simple passions and quirky behavior was a welcomed sight in our living rooms every week during the shows very short run in the late 80's and early 90's. "Twin Peaks" started out on fire, gaining exposure during the pilot's multiple airings. The mystery of Laura Palmer's murderer practically invented conversations at the water cooler. However, the shows second season was scheduled to air on Saturday nights at 10:00, an advertiser's no-man's land. And, with the shows fan base out on the late weekend nights, the shows network decided to cancel it. David Lynch, the shows co-creator, directed a theatrically released film prequel to "Twin Peaks", showing all who missed the shows airings what really happened to Laura the week of her death, and, finally, her killer. As a huge fan of "Twin Peaks", I will tell you that the circle of events that occur within the story enable the viewer to relive the events over and over, each time around with more intensity than before. When you view the movie prequel, diving right back into the series becomes the natural path, allowing one to see things again for what they really are... or aren't. I highly recommend owning the entire series. Without a network messing up your viewing time, you can see the mystery unfold at your own pace. Viewing "Twin Peaks-Fire Walk With Me", along with the television pilot and the entire 29 episode series (about 33 hours all together), is the most fascinating and satisfying viewing experience that the entertainment industry has offered me so far. The music, costumes, editing, acting, and direction all received Emmy nominations, leading one to conclude that "Twin Peaks" not only satisfied the public, but the critics as well. An incredible achievement, "Twin Peaks" is my all-time favorite television show.