David Lynch and Mark Frost managed to create a show that defies the normal rules writers use to craft realistic and engaging characters. If you were to give the same script to anyone in Hollywood today, I firmly believe it would be a disaster. Lynch, in his infinite wisdom, has a unique vision and a touch of magic that makes the impossible possible. The world he creates is so unique, that the rules no longer apply. If you have seen TP before, then you know what I’m talking about. If you haven’t, here are some reasons to make Twin Peaks a must-see.
Whats it about?
The town Twin Peaks is devastated when a popular girl in the community is found dead, murdered. The murder is horrific for a small town and FBI’s Special Agent Cooper arrives on the scene to investigate and works closely with Sheriff Harry Truman and his deputies, Hawk and Andy Brennan. During his investigation we learn more about the deceased Laura Palmer: she is the homecoming queen, dates the captain of the football team, organizes Meals on Wheels for the elderly, and looks after Tommy Horne who suffers from a mental condition. All this information is slowly drip-fed over the first few episodes. We also learn that there is a darker side to Laura, that not even her best friend Donna, knows about. Twin Peaks is a surprising mix of genres throughout; It’s a ‘who dunnit’, mystery, drama, comedy, romance and a supernatural thriller, all rolled into one.
“You could say that Laura Palmer is Marilyn Monroe, and that Mulholland Drive is about Marilyn Monroe, too,”– David Lynch– Biography, Room To Dream
Let’s Talk About Those Quirky Characters
The main reason I think this TV series is an absolute winner, is because of the characters. What sets Twin Peaks apart is that most characters are extremely unusual, you might even say unrealistic. This odd bunch comes across as clichéd, archetypal, and even cartoonish. Normally, that would be a drawback, right? Yet, in the Lynchian universe, it works. Most of the characters are either loud, eccentric, stupid, or simply too weird to be realistic. However, as the plot progresses, the depth and complexity of emotion draw you in, and before you know it, you are fully invested in this strange group of characters. What do I mean strange you might be thinking? Strange how? For example, Audrey Horne randomly dances to dark noir jazz music on her own and in public. I think that classifies as strange, right?
FBI Special Agent Cooper, “Coop”
Take our main protagonist, FBI Special Agent Cooper (played by Kyle MacLachlan). “Coop” is honest, respectful, hard-working, determined, smart, intuitive, open-minded, friendly, optimistic, attractive, punctual, and compassionate, and he always seemed to say the right thing at the right time. It’s impossible not to like him; he embodies everything you wish you could be and is a hero in the true sense of the word.
The character is too good to be true, but instead of disbelieving in him, you can’t help but like the character and become invested. Characters should be flawed. The reason for this is that if a character is flawed then viewers are more likely to find the characters more relatable and believable. Not in Twin Peaks. Perhaps I’m wrong and there are flaws I haven’t considered but for the life of me, I can’t find any. ‘Coop’ is an amazing character that I completely believe in. Lynch and Frost have been brave enough to write strong quirky characters that are so good that you are willing to suspend your disbelief to enjoy what’s going on. The interest and fun factor of the characters makes you no longer care about realism, you just want to stay on for the ride. However, pulling this fete off, can’t be easy to do. It’s uncanny how Lynch creates a world that consistently manages to do just that.
In the first episode, we get the impression that Coop is falling in love with Twin Peaks. While sitting in the diner, the waitress pours him a cup of coffee, and he tells her to wait while he observes, smells, and then tastes it. With a warm smile, he exclaims;
“That’s a damn fine cup of coffee.”
Everything about this scene is fun and engaging, and I can’t think of another character who has the charm or audacity to make a waitress wait so he can enjoy and complement the coffee. It’s unusual and unrealistic behaviour but we like it, so who cares.
FBI Agent Albert Rosenfield
On the other end of the spectrum, we have FBI forensic specialist Agent Albert Rosenfield (played by Miguel Ferrer), who has flaws turned up to the max. Coop warns Sheriff Truman that Albert isn’t very good with social niceties. Truman responds, “Well, nobody’s perfect.”
When Albert meets the sheriff’s department for the first time, he comes across as arrogant, obnoxious, and seriously rude, calling the department a “two-bit operation” and adding, “Welcome to amateur hour.” Truman takes Albert aside and warns him about “talking crap.”
Later, Albert tries to perform an autopsy on Laura Palmer against the wishes of the family who have already scheduled the funeral that day. After a quick tussle with another Doctor, Coop and Truman arrive. Albert insults the sheriff again and Truman angrily steps forward saying he has had enough of his insults.
“Oh yeah? Well, I’ve had about enough of this small town filled with morons and half-wits, dolts, dunces, dullards and dumbbells… and you… you chowder-head yokel, you blithering hayseed. You’ve had enough of me?” – Albert
See what I mean? That’s quite the put-down from Albert; he definitely earns top marks for being a jerk. Speaking of put-downs, that’s exactly what Sheriff Truman does. He punches Albert in the face, causing him to land on top of Laura Palmer’s corpse.
Later, Truman and Albert are face to face and Albert comes out with this surprising and absurd gem:
“I pride myself in taking a punch and I’ll gladly take another because I choose to live my life in the company of Gandhi and King. My concerns are global. I reject absolutely revenge, aggression, and retaliation. The foundation of such a method… is love.” – Albert
I didn’t see that coming. This is a great example of how original and well-written the dialogue is, reminding us that this isn’t your average show. Where else can you find dialogue like this? Probably nowhere. Anyway, this speech from the obnoxious Albert is astounding. He reveals a deeper side that comes from a loving and spiritual place. Perhaps his flaw is having too high expectations and lacks the humility to hide them from others.
James Hurley
The rest of the cast consists of archetypal characters. James (played by James Marshall) is a cool biker who resembles a classic ‘James Dean type.’ He also engages in a secret affair with Laura Palmer, which is revealed at the end of the pilot episode.
He is so perfect that he seems almost cartoonish. He is handsome and embodies the “quiet type,” playing the role of a heartthrob throughout the series. Despite this cliché, we connect with his character as we witness his grief over the loss of Laura; it’s tangible, and we genuinely feel sympathy for him. Although he appears too good to be true, we invest emotionally in his story. In the pilot episode, he begins a romance with Laura’s best friend, Donna. Together, they try to uncover what happened on the night Laura was murdered. Both are mourning her loss, and they eventually share a kiss.
The scene is both intimate and powerful. We see that James is not a fake, a player, or a big-headed jerk; instead, he is a romantic with a big heart who is truly lost in both pain and love. These cartoonish characters possess complex emotions, don’t you know?
Dr Jacoby
Lynch and Frost pushed this even further with the farcical Dr Jacoby (played by Russ Tamblyn).
Dr. Jacoby was Laura Palmer’s therapist. He wears blue and red tinted glasses and has an obsession with Hawaii. Additionally, he is in love with his ex-patient, Laura Palmer. Although he appears eccentric, there is a poignant moment when he sits alone, listening to a tape recording of Laura from one of their sessions. Despite his ridiculousness, his genuine pain shines through, overshadowing the more cartoonish aspects of his character.
Ben and Jerry Horne
Ben Horne is a wealthy businessman who appears to own much of Twin Peaks, including the Great Northern Hotel, Horne’s Department Store, and an upscale brothel called One Eyed Jack’s. We learn that, despite Laura Palmer’s seemingly innocent and good reputation, she had dark secrets. One of these secrets revealed that she worked as a prostitute at Ben Horne’s VIP gentleman’s club.
Ben is involved with Katherine Martell and is conspiring to burn down the Mill for the insurance money to acquire the land. His personality is an exaggerated version of a greedy businessman; he smokes big cigars and talks with an air of self-importance. He has many devious plans and is a potential suspect in the murder case of Laura Palmer. While we don’t fully understand his motives, it remains unclear whether he is good or evil. Nonetheless, his eccentric behaviour is entertaining and often provides light relief amid the ongoing tension in the plot. One of my favourite scenes from TP involves Ben and Jerry Horne. Jerry returns from France, bringing with him brie and butter baguettes. He excitedly tells his brother, “This is the best damn sandwich I ever ate.” Ben’s reaction is hilarious; he is just as enthusiastic as Jerry. He sniffs the entire baguette in anticipation and exclaims, “Oh yeah!” They eat the baguettes with such enthusiasm that it seems ridiculous and completely unrealistic. However, it’s so entertaining to watch that all is forgiven.
Conclusion
It seems to me that Lynch and Frost have taken the characters in Twin Peaks to an extreme, amplifying their traits to the maximum. They embody clichéd, cartoonish archetypes, yet they also reveal the complexity of real people who love, hate, and grieve. Thanks to the excellent casting, the actors are skilled enough to evoke both laughter and tears when necessary. The magic of the show lies in the fact that, despite the wild antics, we never lose faith in these characters. It’s a thrilling ride that you won’t want to get off.
If you haven’t already, go purchase the DVD from Amazon. If you do, Screenbuzz will recieve money and it will keep the blog going… Go on, do it!
