Television
The Magical Force of Twin Peaks
David Lynch is a great visual artist who is unbound by tradition or standard. if you have seen some of his works, you will notice that he is an admirer of the grotesque and non sequitur.
Together with Mark Frost, Twin Peaks is a snapshot in time of Lynch’s artistic abilities, performed on the small screen by an excellent ensemble cast.
Twin Peaks is a fantastic series. I’ve watched a lot of tv shows and it still sits on top of the mountain as my favorite show of all time. Twin Peaks is one of those things that you have to see for yourself to fully appreciate. It’s more than a show; it’s also more than just a story. It’s an adventure. You don’t watch Twin Peaks; you experience it. Furthermore, it is a transcendental experience, almost spiritual in character. It terrifies you. It makes you cry. It makes you laugh.
Twin Peaks is all about the atmosphere. What is going on in Twin Peaks appears to be far larger than the tiny town environment. It feels like the forces of good and evil are practically converging in your own backyard. It’s not just about solving the mystery and finding out who killed who. It’s all about the sensation of time, place, and surroundings.
David Lynch’s environment in Twin Peaks is one of the most immersive I’ve ever encountered. The characters are complex, yet they are also allegories or parodies of themselves. You might find some of the performances are a little off, or some actors appear to be overacting. That is because they are doing it on purpose. Everything that appears to be campy was campy on purpose.
The theme of juxtaposition is central to Twin Peaks. A cheesy soapy scenario is followed by a terrifying one. Lynch’s takes on the characters are surely not to be missed. The deceased’s father leaps on the casket as it is lowered into the ground during a solemn burial scene. The perfect prom queen was a cocaine addict and lost her sanity. There are moments where you’re not sure whether to laugh or cry. The final season is even weirder, deeper and darker.
Twin Peaks first aired on April 8, 1990 and yet I think it’s one of the least dated shows out there, at least in terms of its visuals. It has a timeless aesthetic. It isn’t prominently filled with early 1990s pop-culture allusions, except maybe Richard Beymer’s haircut. It has a great soundtrack and scores that fit the theme very well. Julee Cruise’s Falling playing in the background is so dreamy. Angelo Badalamenti’s scores are haunting.
Twin Peaks influenced modern television. The X-Files? The Sopranos? Riverdale? Breaking Bad? Fargo? None of these would have been possible without Twin Peaks. Much of it is due to David Lynch transferring his auteur sensibilities as a filmmaker to television and crafting something deep, strange, and off-the-wall. That might seem typical in TV now, but it was unheard of when Twin Peaks first aired.
But all of that is now common among great series that have been released for the past few years, so what makes Twin Peaks different? The writing and the build-up of its world are near-perfect. After seeing everything, I had the distinct impression that the story was still unfolding someplace, as if Twin Peaks existed in a parallel reality. No other film or television show has ever done that for me.
One of the reasons the program has kept its cult following for so long is that it appeals to such a wide range of individuals. Thriller fans are eager to find out who murdered Laura Palmer. Bob provides terrible moments for horror enthusiasts. Fans of soap operas will recognize love triangles and love octahedrons. The Great Northern is a must-see for comedy aficionados. Surrealists will like the dream scenes and magical aspects.
What I love and adore most about Twin Peaks is that it got me hooked for a very long time. After a few episodes, you’ll feel like you’re a member of the Twin Peaks community.
You’ll get to know the characters, and some of them may even become friends. You’ll start to miss folks who don’t get much screen time. You’ll grow to like and dislike some of them. You’ll relate strongly with the characters, especially the protagonist, Special Agent Dale Cooper. You’ll observe how much Cooper likes coffee and donuts. You’ll understand how Cooper’s mind works. You’ll have no option but to submit to this mysterious, magical, but still very, very tangible world.
Twin Peaks is not for everyone, especially if you’re not familiar with David Lynch’s works. But if it rubs you the right way, it’s fantastic. Not all art is universally loved. Some people like The Beatles, some people like The Stones, some like neither.
However, it’s never too late to check Twin Peaks out. Keep an eye on it since it requires time to settle deep into your spirit. Allow it to lure you in and engulf you when the time comes.
