I have never been a big fan of David Lynch's works. There has never been a certain reason as to why I have not been much of a fan, I feel the few entries within his filmmaking library just have not managed to really impress me all that much. Being decent films in general but nothing that really surprised me. More evident in recent times we see directors like Lynch getting more recognition given the ways in which cinema has fundamentally shifted into different styles, making us nostalgic of the era in which simple yet engaging stories were still told without aiming to be the next big blockbuster that wants a billion or more dollars at the very least. While I would not say I am a fan of Lynch's works, I would say that I have still enjoyed them given they have not necessarily had much of a standing impact on me after viewing them.
Twin Peaks is a show of his that I have had sitting aside for years now as people have told me to check it out, constantly asking every few months whether I finally did or not. It never really appealed to me all that much, but I did often hear certain stories of the show and how it was supposedly Lynch in his prime with his strange humour, film noir inspirations, and pursuit of a story that many found utterly confusing for all the right reasons. Due to this I did go in with some rather high expectations regarding the weirdness, knowing somewhat what to expect from viewing Lynch's short films and generally just seeing how he behaves. Though I do feel much of it was exaggerated in regards to Twin Peaks, instead not really being some strange show full of weirdness, but instead one that speaks of some rather interesting stories.
Twin Peaks: Season 1
Twin Peaks takes place within the relatively small industrial town of, well, Twin Peaks. A murder taking place with the victim being a young girl that seemingly everyone in the town knew to some degree and had some prior connection to. An agent is sent to Twin Peaks to investigate the murder, ultimately finding clues that connect this case potentially to others. Though it is not really the story that really holds much interest within Twin Peaks, it is absolutely the characters themselves and the way they contribute to this story. Each character is unique in their own way, whether comical, sketchy, or innocent. Such a diverse set of characters allows for the writing to propel them forward into something really engaging as the aspects of the story are portrayed and given context piece by piece. This innocent, very connected small town of Twin Peaks slowly reveals itself to be one of corruption, greed, manipulation, and plenty of secrets.
Despite the show containing many dark and somewhat depressing themes given the narrative following the investigation of a murder and slowly connecting pieces of the puzzle together, it takes advantage of these characters to portray the simplicities of life within many scenes, showing that within this small and very secretive town, life goes on with all this darkness surrounding; a love for cherry pie, good coffee, and the interiors of wooden hotels. Much of this is done specifically through our Special Agent Dale Cooper, of which carries around a tape recorder at all times to voice down his thoughts and events for later on, often talking directly to a Diane that we never actually see. I really liked this aspect of his character, and how he's used to provide immersion and context to the audience by seemingly speaking to us directly.
This gives us a look into Agent Cooper's mind as he voices out the observations and discoveries he has had over the few weeks he has been in Twin Peaks, pertaining to some film noir-esque style in which narration takes the reigns over the visuals, allowing those visuals to remain simple yet effective, perhaps even contributing further to the immersion and worldbuilding as Agent Cooper interacts with the environment: driving. Lazing within his hotel room. Or just in the middle of discovering some new piece of evidence that aims to reveal some clues finally. This means that much of the time we too experience the clues to the broader narrative around the same time Agent Cooper does, but with a few extra hints here and there from the other characters we see elsewhere.
These characters themselves often adding to the 'confusion' regarding just what is happening and who we can trust as the narrative progresses and we see more character development. We see how everyone holds some secrets, some of which they would definitely love to remain hidden and thus putting them into view in their attempts to look innocent and misdirect. This makes us constantly question motives and who is innocent and who is guilty, and the show slowly does reveal who seems to be on the 'good' side of things and who appears to be a bit more bad and likely to have had connections to the murder in some manner.
I quite enjoy how this was done, particularly alongside the more dated boxed television aspect ratio and use of 35mm film stock, allowing twin peaks to look dark, very cozy, and rather inviting. This adds to the strangeness of Twin Peaks that makes this location seem almost like it is attempting to lure us in with its beauty, though waiting steadily to capture us and pull us into this seeming space of greed and corruption. Where life may seem simple and relaxed, but is quite the opposite in reality. I am not quite sure why people believe that Twin Peaks is confusing, or perhaps full of strangeness. I don't feel that way at all about it. I feel things make sense when they should, and the show does not attempt to hold your hand at all times, it provides snippets of evident and then reveals things when it wants to.
Using Lynch's own humour and whacky behaviour to provide aspects of comedy and relaxation between such moments. Where again life continues on as if nothing is going on underneath this blanket of comfort and, as if Twin Peaks is sheltered by its large forestry and not instead tucked away where the evil can do its bidding without unwanting eyes searching around. It interestingly speaks more on human condition, where we believe we are an open and friendly society, though in reality each of us are greedy, containing many secrets as we roam the streets smiling with such innocence and peace. The directing is quite simple too, often still and showing this relatively enclosed but simple life within Twin Peaks. Not utilising much movement unless it is needed.
Tension and character development
This first season does a great job at starting off quite quickly and slowly introducing a series of characters each vastly different and at a glance friendly. We are pulled into this Twin Peaks location with an immediate glance at the joyful and relaxed individuals and environment that surrounds. Then, once we are comfortable, Twin Peaks shows us the bad stuff, and it does it very well. To the point where we don't know who to trust; even Agent Cooper seems to look as if he too will fall into the temptation of others in the location. We see how it corrupts, manipulates, and how so few can really be trusted. The characters continue to remain engaging through this, and of course the narrative receives plenty of tension going into the season's conclusion, having still not quite told us anything of significance.
I really like how it is done, reminding me a little bit of The X Files in its heavy use of ambient music to increase the immersion and emotion within the scenes. Even some similarities to the Fargo series in how the narrative unfolds piece by piece and we feel the tensions for each character rising while still not really being given any conclusion or true answer. It has definitely hooked me in because of this, but for none of the reasons I would have thought due to what people had been telling me over the years. These characters hold a plethora of drama between them, each clear with their own motives and ideas. it adds to the strangeness of the town and the story, showing us how each person twists things and seemingly has their own directing in which they would prefer things to go. Not quite caring about others, but only really themselves and immediate circles. Much of this drama being rather theatrical.
I have already started the second season, loving it just as much. Interested in seeing where things go and how, still not quite sure what the broader picture is in regards to the narrative, and very, very thankful at that.
