Twin Peaks

Possibly one of the best TV dramas ever, "Twin Peaks" managed to be a challenging and unique (not to mention intelligent) piece of television.

Daring and provocative, it shattered the boundaries of most standard soap operas/TV dramas.

Terrified of it by a child (and in particular by BOB) I have since returned to it on DVD, only to find myself just as terrified and intrigued by it as I was when I was twelve years old and crouching behind my late grandmother's couch.

A piece of groundbreaking television history... WATCH IT

Stunning and explosive, completely misunderstood by many when it ran from 1990-1991 and definitely trail-blazing for the art of television production, "Twin Peaks" is one of those could-have-been, should-have-been television series that ended up being remarkable anyway. A teenage girl (Sheryl Lee) is murdered. A strange police detective (Kyle MacLachlan) is brought in to solve the mystery as the local police just cannot cope with the crime. Strange situations continue to pop up all over the landscape of the titled Pacific Northwestern town though and it becomes sadly apparent that the crime will likely never be solved. Side-stories galore confuse and intrigue and the viewer is left wondering, "Does this have anything to do with the initial crime?". Then just when you think the puzzle is about solved, total chaos strikes with whacked dream sequences that make you question your own sanity. What is really happening in the town and do we really want to know or are we happier letting the mystery suck us in? "Twin Peaks" was created by David Lynch (arguably the finest American film-maker, along with Martin Scorsese, living today) and over two very abbreviated seasons (only 29 total episodes) television reached an age that may never be experienced again. At the time many (perhaps myself included) did not know what to make of the show and even more panned it completely. The fact that the series did not really end the way it should have is sad, but in another way it just adds to the legends and myths involved here. There were eight writers on this series and a mind-blowing 15 different directors (Lynch did some of the work and even Diane Keaton got an opportunity to add to the program). Performers like Ray Wise, Piper Laurie, Joan Chen, Lara Flynn Boyle, Sherilyn Fenn, Russ Tamblyn and Madchen Amick appear, disappear and re-appear so frequently that you become confused as to what their roles in the show truly are. Monumental, gigantic, legendary, interesting, dominant and definitely thought-provoking, "Twin Peaks" is one of those television shows that amazes and dazzles with its highly unique brand of commentary. Followed by a theatrical movie ("Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me") in 1992 that was made to answer the questions presented throughout the program, it was also sadly misunderstood by most in the viewing public (even being rubbished by some who loved the series). A real gem in the history of television art. 5 stars out of 5.

Seeing the series as an eleven year old, is probably not the wisest thing to do. I was scared so much by the character BOB, that if I saw him on the street today, I would run the other way screaming. But in amongst all that...it's excellent!

I have to admit when I first watched the pilot episode of Twin Peaks a couple of years ago, I wasn't sure what to think. I knew about David Lynch, having recently seen Blue Velvet, and I knew he was a director that was on the outlandish side. I borrowed the rest of the series from a friend, and after I watched the first 3 or 4 episodes, I was still scratching my head. I thought the murder premise was well done but I kept asking myself "why are these characters so strange?"

However, as I got more into the series, I found myself obsessively hooked. The series, in it's own ominous way, was extremely funny and there were so many great one liners ("that's a damn good cup of coffee") and the characters kept you second guessing. Though some characters were obviously villains, others had intentions that were often indistinguishable.

As I relentlessly watched the show over a three week period, I found myself laughing out loud and being disturbed at the same time. Ben Horne's meltdown is one of the funniest things I have ever seen in any TV series, I chuckle just thinking about it. Only David Lynch could think of something that was so eccentric and funny at the same time.

So in the end, I must say I found this show endlessly amusing. Almost every person on the show has their own idiosyncrasy, appearances by future stars like Heather Graham and David Duchovny injected humor and depth into the show, and heck, there was a sheriff named Harry S Truman, what else do you need?

I am glad to see the first season is on DVD, I can't wait until the rest is released. I wish this show had been on much longer but it is such a bizarre show that I can understand why mainstream America did not understand it. I wouldn't recommend this show to anyone that likes TV shows which are light-hearted or straightforward. Be warned, the final episode is completely bizarre, and not necessarily funny.

As a whole, the show has a very alien feel to it and may chase many people away, but if you understand David Lynch's warped sense of humor and can see the sheer lunacy of the show, you will find it endlessly entertaining.

I want to begin this review by stating how I found this show, and how much it truly means to me. This has been on my watchlist for a while, but with David Lynch's recent passing, I decided it was time to watch. Well, to be honest, it was my friend who texted me to tell me about his passing, and I hadn't seen anything. This (along with Blue Velvet, Mulholland Drive and Eraserhead) was their recommendation. So of course, I succumbed to peer pressure and began a watch. I watched the first episode, and was immediately hooked.

It was so emotional, vulnerable, but also strange and interesting. I was enthralled by the writing, the directing, and the performances, and binge watched the first season.

The first season of Twin Peaks revolves around Special Agent Dale Cooper of the FBI arriving in Twin Peaks, Washington to solve the murder of local sweetheart, Laura Palmer. As he investigates, more and more comes to light about Laura, the town, and the people in it. It's well paced, well written and directed, and just so so awesome. My favorite thing about the first season was the slow introductions to the strangeness that eventually envelopes the show as a whole.

Season two was a different beast. With 14 more episodes and a murder still left to solve, Twin Peaks had to cover a lot more ground. Season two's first nine episodes are used to solve the murder of Laura Palmer (and do so EXCELLENTLY!!!!). It's emotional, full of suspense, and a bit horrifying. But now, there are 13 more episodes, and not a whole lot left to do. There are a few episodes in season two that aren't the best, but in the end, these filler episodes still have charm and enough substance to get you through the season.

The biggest pro of the second season though, was the finale. Oh my goodness! It's a well crafted, written, and directed episode that pulls you in and never lets you go, even after it's finished.

Go watch Twin Peaks if you haven't. It's so incredibly good and unique, you won't regret it.