Midnighter, I am through the first 4 episodes of the new Twin Peaks. The description of atmosphere and style over legit (or coherent) narrative is a great description of the series so far. There are some excellent moments to be sure, but so far the moments are not adding up to anything resembling coherence.
For example, there is a great bit with Michael Cera as Brando in Ep 4. I don't know if it will have anything to do with anything for the rest of the show, but it was hilarious. I will stick with it for a couple more episodes at least.
Part of the issue may be that Lynch wanted 18 episodes, and Showtime wanted to pare it down to 10. Lynch got his 18 eps, but maybe Showtime saw that there wasn't enough material for 18 hours. This may be why there is such a disjointed feel to the proceedings.
Okay, wow - just finished the first two episodes (not recommended viewing at 2am unless you want some serious nightmare fuel). It's been so long since I watched the original series that some of the key returnees and their significance are lost on me (I'm going to find one of those 'things you need to know' articles so I can get back up to speed). Most of what I remember is the Fire Walk With Me movie and where that left things.
Anyway, even if the stores aren't adding up to much yet (I count six different plot lines so far...), the unrestrained and uncompromising vision (and sound!) of Lynch is on full display here. He's a surrealist at heart and always has been - he paints, is a sculptor,a writer, and of course, filmmaker. While the first two episodes feel like a few of interspersed vignettes, I think we'll eventually get to something resembling a 'story' - even if we don't, the show is just so weird and compelling you can't help but watch. Will discuss some
SPOILERS below so beware...
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The stores so far seem to be....
- Agent Cooper trapped in the 'psychosphere' or alternate dreamworld and his doppelganger. Weird seeing so many people from Twin Peaks, including Laura Palmer, show up. My guess is Cooper is working to escape and secure his place in the world by killing his doppelganger who I think may be posessed by BOB (the 'entity' or personality that did the same for Palmer's father...?). This story is the most heavy on the original Twin Peaks nostalgia with lots of time spent in the zig zagged room with red curtains. His escape sort of ties into...
- The glass box in New York City. Man, this was just Lynch at his most Lynchian (if that's a thing). When we finally see what arrives in the box and what it does, its creepy and scary as sh*t. Still, not sure if that thing was the intended captive, or if it was/is Cooper, who showed up earlier (anyone else notice the time loop here?). I wonder if we'll revisit NYC? This story is the first that mentions an unknown rich person funding something unknown. Side note - this scene, especially when the 'thing' appears, reminds me a lot of the work of artist Francis Bacon. His paintings will chill you in broad daylight.
- The brothers in the lodge. Not sure what is going on here, but remember the lodge being significant in the original series. Nice seeing Ashley Judd looking amazing too.
-Principal Hastings and his affair/murder. Another grisly scene that has a lot of rabbit hole potential. We did see this story intersect with 'Bad' Cooper's, so maybe things will merge at some point.
-Money in Vegas. The second mention of a mysterious person funding something unknown. The exchange here just drips with dread. No idea how this ties into anything.
-James and the gang show up at the Bang Bang Bar. This story seems to be exactly what you would think for the cast of Twin Peaks some 25 years later. Drinking at the bar, and cool James shows up, still an outsider. There's an ethereal band playing an unbelievable sad (but catchy!) song and the show ends.
I don't know that there will be any way to do an actual 're-cap', but if you like shows where there are rabbit holes and puzzles to solve, this is the granddaddy of them all. Can't wait to dive into the the next two episodes!
