There have been a few shows getting a bit of a revival with a new season appearing out of nowhere in recent years as the film industry struggles with accepting risk in original content, and instead shoots for safer bets in established franchises. Two of the television series which received a bit of a revival were Twin Peaks, and The X Files. I have not seen either of these new seasons -- and The X Files is a pretty long series to get through! But I figured I would revisit Twin Peaks given its relatively short length, clocking in at just two seasons, excluding its more recent third. I can't say a whole lot regarding the popularity of Twin Peaks over the years, its reception is very much strange like the show's ideas itself.
There is something about these older television series, however. Something very different to ones of today. There is a clear difference in production in most aspects: sound design, cinematography, line delivery of the actors, and even the aspect ratio. Even returning to the very first episode, I am remembered of other shows from its time of a similar nature: Monk. A show about a difficult to interact with investigator that knows his stuff, but struggles with people. There is something that stands out about these shows that now feels as if we're looking into the distant past -- to which some degree we are -- but incapable of really understanding the world it presents, as if it was one that never existed.
Twin Peaks takes place right on the brink of the advancements that pushed us into where we are today. We see aspects of industry and logging present in this small town surrounded by beautiful nature. The idea of a small town with a well connected community that isn't so reliant on technology seems almost a bit strange now in these more "first world" locations. In a way, our modern inability to easily connect with the environment and world of Twin Peaks merely serves as an extension of its obscure narrative shrouded in mystery and having its audience question who did what and what precisely is happening. It places this dense type of fog around its location that seemingly shelters it from the rest of the world, almost making it appear like some form of purgatory.
Much of this is amplified by its use of very dream-like ambient music. There is always something going on in the background; sometimes that is music, ambient, slow, very dramatic. Or it is something quiet, in the distance like a clock. Showing the passing of time and each second that passes. These little sounds can be quite easy to miss if you don't pay a whole lot of attention. But they're definitely there. And it contributes to much of the atmosphere that is built within this location. Even as the characters interact, with quiet and gentle line delivery. And given its time, much of this line delivery is very much theatrical, given many of the actors used in older television shows weren't that professional, and did stem more from a theatre background.
Much of the cinematography reflects this dream-like nature as well, as the camera is often very still, like a quiet observer sitting from a certain angle and watching the events unfold. There's little movement to be seen unless it's a slight pan up or to the side. There could be the argument that much of this was down to budget, taking advantage of every little piece of 35mm film as to avoid having to purchase more in the event of running out or needing to perform multiple takes of shots. Keeping the directing more simple and without much movement would result in less risk of someone messing up.
Though through static imagery comes beauty in the right hands: the directing style results in a utilisation of a very enclosed, boxed aspect ratio that allows for heavy composition throughout the image. Where leading lines direct your attention throughout the environment and is used as an advantage. As above, we see how the movement follows those lines towards the camera, but our eyes are directed from the left to the right, deeper into the image and its environment. We see a more interactive, immersive world where it seems as if our characters and environment are one. This is something you don't really see much of these days where productions will focus more on just getting the shot done rather than attempting to go the extra mile in creativity.
In terms of characters and performances, Twin Peaks is full of interesting people that stand out from each other. And I think that's a really important aspect of the show's development as it promotes a heavy sense of mystery and trust (perhaps even lack of trust) in people that seem innocent or likely to have certain motives. Some of the characters are definitely quite enjoyable to watch, while others are almost quite difficult to read. And the show does slowly introduce these characters quite well, to ensure that nothing is told too early or that the sense of mystery is lost. I do think that the show and its historical praise has been very much exaggerated, but I can see the beauty in how it has been made. I certainly love shows that do this, and don't treat their audience like idiots where they reveal too much and make things a bit too easy to follow.
This lack of direction and mystery is what connects us to the location as well. Where things are different, isolated, and surrounded by the mysteries of nature. Where even in such location you are likely to find all kinds of people. Ones that are selfish, with many secrets and agendas. Where such people have gone to stay out of the public eye and pursue greed. There is a nice balance between all of this, as the good and the bad mix and are given plenty of time to develop on the screen.
I look forward to continuing and revisiting Twin Peaks, going through it and giving its most recent season a chance; though I suspect that much of its strengths will have been lost under the modern approach to filmmaking: no 35mm film grain to add grit to the scenes, a lack of ambient music, and the aspect ratio which makes it all claustrophobic. Perhaps I am completely wrong in those assumptions. But I shall find out, I guess!
