For the few of you not familiar with David Lynch’s groundbreaking 1990’s television drama, Twin Peaks is a lesson in innovation which has in turn inspired recent prime time shows like AMC’s The Killing. Weird, cerebral, quirky, and full of classic Lynch stylistic imagery, the show sealed the careers of many rising actors, including Kyle McLaughlin as well as casting famed actors from the 1950’s and 60’s including Richard Beymer, Piper Laurie, and Russ Tamblyn. Despite only two seasons of run time before ratings dipped, the show quickly achieved cult status, as well as the release of Lynch’s movie prequel Fire Walk with Me in 1992.
Having spent most of my childhood in the Pacific Northwest, Lynch was right in setting his hit show in rural Washington. (Several of the outdoor shooting locations of Twin Peaks are only a two and a half hour drive from Portland, Oregon). Growing up I always felt like the woods just off of interstate 5 would be a perfect location for a horror movie (or suspenseful TV show, in this case). However, I wouldn’t discover Twin Peaks until college and immediately fell in love with its depth and imagination.
Kyle McLaughlin creates a modern day Sherlock Holmes as Agent Dale Cooper with Sheriff Harry S. Truman as his Dr. Watson on the hunt for the murderer of high school darling Laura Palmer. As the series progresses, Cooper discovers that the quaint, charming town he grew to love is filled with terrible secrets, as the line between the supernatural and social problems blur. Laura Palmer is revealed to be a tragic heroine whose life spirals out of control and falls victim to evil forces. The story of Laura’s death exclusively is elaborated upon in Fire Walk with Me however the show has many complex subplots which keep the viewer guessing. Anyone who hasn’t seen the show, it is a definite must for any fan of horror or psychological thrillers, along with a slice of cherry pie and damn good coffee.
