I stepped away from the sports world a couple times this year to discuss the return of the TV show “Twin Peaks” and felt obligated to address this one more time, following last week’s two-hour season (series?) finale on Showtime.
I must admit, I was disappointed by many of the reviewers I read about the show this summer.
On one hand, you had analysts that loved EVERY aspect of this show (including the two-and-a-half minutes of someone sweeping the floor before the climax on one episode). I always liked the show, but clearly there were some elements of this past season that did not work along with missteps that were taken with the execution of this innovative program.
On the other side, there were people who would not just trash the show from start to finish but, in this “fake news” era, would frequently make up false details about the show…and some critics who obviously didn’t even watch the show (eg., getting characters names wrong, adding extra twists that didn’t exist for the plot, incorrect plot summaries and doing a flat-out horrible job of presenting the truth). I have no problems if you don’t like the show, but some writers/bloggers/commentators weren’t even CLOSE to getting their facts straight.
So, here is a completely unbiased and objective view of the elements of Season Three that work, things that kinda-sorta worked and other pieces that didn’t belong at all.
THE GOOD
Episodes 1-3, 7-9, 11, 13-17
All of these “parts” introduced different elements—some never before seen on television—and created surreal experiences while also advancing the narrative forward (some more than others).
- Kyle Maclachlan as “Mr. C”
The original series’ leading man took on two new and very different roles in season three, both brilliantly acted by the veteran thespian (more on Maclachlan later). - Gordon Cole & Albert Rosenfield
Two of the most unique characters in the show’s original run had significant roles in “The Return.” Both were worthy protagonist that helped keep viewers interest during “more mundane” sections while also adding some comedic moments at opportune times. - Hawk & the “New” Sheriff Truman
Robert Forester was new to the series (he was originally offered the role but couldn’t commit due to scheduling conflicts) and makes a seamless transition to taking over the role of the “level headed” sheriff in this quirky town. - Michael Horse was also one of the most popular original stars and teamed with Frank Truman in driving the plot forward while including their own storylines in a succinct and interesting fashion. Horse admitted in an interview that he would have been thrilled just to have a cameo in the new season, but took on a bigger role than he ever had in the initial series.
- The Mitchum Brothers & the Pink Girls
New characters Robert Knepper and Jim Belushi brilliantly portrayed sinister casino owners/gangsters while also embracing the lighter moments that make Twin Peaks so special. The Pink Girls also served as a much needed and well-executed break to the heavy moments, which were greatly appreciated. Several other new cast members were also highlights, although many we didn’t see much of, nor really found out anything about, especially the “Roadhouse” characters.
- Nods to departed cast members
THE QUESTIONABLE
- A number of the original cast passed away either before shooting or during post-production and David Lynch did a unbelievable job of paying tribute to these actors, either by using archival footage, or by featuring each one with his/her own tribute during different parts of the show. Each character was used in a meaningful way to the plot without being tacky or awkwardly forcing their appearances into the narrative.
- Disproportionate Time Spend on Different Actors. Some of the new characters made great adjustments to the familiar “Twin Peaks” feel—even if they were in the titular town at the time, although I personally would have liked to have seen more of the familiar faces earlier in the storyline than we did.
- While many of the cast were invited back to participate in the return, there were long stretches of time in which lackadaisical, uninteresting and/or meaningless characters (Beverly’s husband, Jean-Michel Renault and others) had long stretches of ‘on-air’ time, while more interesting elements were shown only in brief snippets that didn’t fully develop.
- Michael Cera’s Wally Brando
While other people thought this utterly meaningless (and drawn out scene) was cute and a highlight of “part 4,” I easily couldn’t have done without this polarizing character that had zero to do with the storyline (especially at the expense of screen time for others).
- Lack of “charm”
One of the great elements of the original show was its ability to mix horror and extremely depressing elements with lighter moments of everyday life. Sometimes there was a little too much of this, primarily in the second season of the run (which helped lead to its cancellation) but there were weeks in which this was desperately needed and would have help break up some seriously macabre material. - The Audio
Another great element of the original series was its soundtrack—something almost non-existent with any other television show. While the new season noticeably lacked the gorgeous melodical themes scored by Angelo Badalamenti, it was replaced by enhanced audio of electricity, an eerie humming noise and “wind elements” that enhanced the surreal atmosphere and heightened anticipation. - Kyle Maclachlan as “Dougie”
Maybe the most polarizing aspect of the return–I personally liked this character, but would agree WAY too much screen time was spent on him.
THE UGLY
- Kyle Maclachlan as “Good Dale”(and the lack thereof)
Ray Wise was also a huge part of the original series success—and he was on camera to tersely offer just two words (and don’t tell me his character’s death is an excuse—this is a David Lynch production after all, and other dead characters were featured prominently!) - This was the most anticipated character of the entire series—and one of the most unique heroes in television history, and he BARELY was on-screen for a little more one and a half episodes (the real good Dale was not completely there for Part 18, in case you missed it!). It appeared that “The Return’s” primary motive with to lead “Good Coop” back to where he was when viewers left him 25 years ago, but once he got there, he was tersely shuttled into another dimension. Surely, someone as creative (and bizarre) as Lynch could’ve come up with some alternate universe earlier, and/or flashbacks or anything to have this beloved character on camera more than he was. (Fans were waiting over two decades to see him again, after all!)
- Too many “empty” scenes
While some scenes seemingly added nothing to the plot—only to find out later that they were key, there were also too many scenes that dragged on forever that didn’t lead to anything. Lynch loves drawing out scenes to enhance anxiety, but too often these extended shots (driving, sweeping floors, pumping gas et al) amounted to nothing and frustrated even the most patient fans of the show. - Too many characters to follow & far less character development then the original.
The original series had a number of characters spread out and interacting with each other over a 30-hour span, which allowed the viewer to get to know nearly everyone—whether you liked them or not. - In the current season, you get a few seconds of one character, then go 10-12 hours before you “might” see that character again, with many of these empty characters having no relation to the story at all and felt impossible to connect to most of them.
- Thanks to On-Demand and TiVo, it made it convenient to re-watch entire episodes (usually more than once) to catch missed plotlines, subliminal elements or to find out the heck everyone was (in some cases, you had to rewind/pause the credits to find out what the characters’ names were.
- “Part 18”
I get what David Lynch and Mark Frost were doing with this episode (at least, I THINK I do), but after waiting 27 years for this finale—and on the heels of two SPECTACULAR season-ending episodes for year one and year two, even the most loyal Peaks fan and his biggest supporters had to feel left down by this dud of an ending. (I had to laugh at the Variety’s critic who called Lynch a genius for the way he lit an extended, non-eventful, long-shot of Cooper pumping gas for two minutes sandwiched between long, silence & driving sequences….PLEASE!)
Lacking narrative (not unusual for Lynch) along with substance, artistic ability and the surreal elements that made this show a cult classic, virtually nothing happened in the final 50 minutes. I was fine with the main-thread/open-ending and the final scene of Laura’s mother screaming her name/Laura remembering everything/the house exploding/disappearing. But seriously, what a colossal letdown this episode was, when SO many threads and characters’ fates (eg., how’s Annie? where’s Audrey? shouldn’t Cooper even care about them?) weren’t even touched. And what the heck were all those empty Roadhouse scenes for???
Well, that’s my thoughts on what is likely to be the end of this cultural phenomenon. What did you think of “The Return” and do you agree/disagree with my opinions? Would you like to see it brought back? Post a comment below or email me at chris.michael@rcn.net
We’ll return to the sports conversations “full-time” in our next blog entry!
