‘Twin Peaks 3×03’ Review
Now the big two episodes of Twin Peaks have aired, episode 3 is where the show hits its stride. With Agent Cooper (Kyle MacLachlan) making his way out of the Black Lodge, will his doppelganger be happy to return?
Fighting his way out of the Black Lodge Agent Cooper makes it back to the real world, but not into his own body. With FBI agents Gordon Cole (David Lynch), Albert Rosenfield (Miguel Ferrer) and Tammy Preston (Chrysta Bell) investigating the glass box murders, are they close to finally crossing paths with Cooper?
The start of this episode will probably be a test as to what fans want from Twin Peaks. What we are presented with is very surreal, arty, and yet another ride through the imagination of David Lynch. If you are a fan of the director, you’ll lap this up. If you are a fan of the more grounded original Twin Peaks you’ll be wondering what the hell is going on.
The good news though is that once Agent Cooper makes it back to the real world, things do get a little more grounded. To make it more interesting of course Cooper (the doppelganger) has found a way to escape the calling of the Black Lodge. This means that we will probably get to see the confrontation between the two versions of the character and to see if Agent Cooper can save the day.
Fans of Twin Peaks will love to finally see the FBI make their way into Season 3, and the return of Gordon Cole and Albert Rosenfield. Albert is one of my favourite characters from Twin Peaks, and it is good to see him back. It is also sad of course with the loss of Miguel Ferrer. The interesting addition of Tammy Preston is also likely to raise eyebrows in the way she works with the two ageing agents.
What is interesting about this third episode is that it gives the fans what it wants, but it does it on Twin Peaks terms. Agent Cooper may be back in the reality of Twin Peaks, but at this point he is almost non-existent, and apparently a totally different person. This is of course the doppelganger’s get out of jail free card, and it will be interesting to see how it pays out. Agent Cooper’s call for help in the casino is an interesting touch, and gives us chance to see some typically interesting characters.
Looking at this season of Twin Peaks after three episodes we are left in an interesting situation. While we may want things to return to some level of normality, it appears David Lynch isn’t going to give us that luxury. To get Agent Cooper back, we are going down a dark path, some would say a “Blue Rose” path (wink, wink) and that will be what keeps this season interesting.
I’m sure there will be some a little confused as to what we are being given with this season of Twin Peaks, but I say stick with it. Now that Agent Cooper is in the “real world” things will stay weird, but at least a little grounded in that weirdness. Episode four which I will review soon further proves this case, and pushes us closer to the town of Twin Peaks itself, which is what the audience is obviously waiting for.
***** 5/5
Twin Peaks airs in the UK on Sky Atlantic on Mondays.