After dedicating a summer break to revisiting the enigmatic world of Twin Peaks, encompassing Season 1, Season 2, Fire Walk With Me, and The Return (Season 3), I’ve emerged with a renewed appreciation for this masterpiece. My initial viewing of Season 3 in 2017 left me feeling like I was missing crucial pieces to fully grasp its intricate narrative. This rewatch, undertaken at a leisurely pace, allowed for a deeper immersion, especially when combined with exploring supplementary books and online resources that delve into the meta-universe of Twin Peaks. This comprehensive journey through the Twin Peaks canon has been incredibly rewarding, solidifying my understanding and love for what is truly a singular, decades-spanning work of art. It’s a world you can truly lose yourself in, and one I’m eager to return to soon.
If you’re planning your own visit to Twin Peaks, whether for the first time or a return trip, here’s a guide to watching and reading to enhance your experience. This guide focuses on the best way to watch Twin Peaks, ensuring you capture all the nuances of this iconic series.
Mrs Tremond’s Picture – Golden Apples of the Sun Mixtape
Before diving into the series itself, consider setting the mood with Mrs Tremond’s Picture. This soundscape, created for THe Golden Apples of the Sun Radio Show, explores the sonic landscape of Twin Peaks and related musical themes. It’s available as an HD Mixcloud mixtape on the Golden Apples of the Sun Blog here.
Twin Peaks Canon: The Essential Viewing Order
Understanding the Twin Peaks ‘Canon’ is crucial for a coherent viewing experience. The concept of canon is widely accepted among fans and provides the definitive sequence for watching. Canon refers to the official Twin Peaks continuity, meaning certain materials are considered integral, while others are not. Focusing on the canon ensures you experience Twin Peaks as intended. Based on the Twin Peaks wiki and my own viewing journey, this is the recommended order to watch Twin Peaks:
Twin Peaks Season 1 and Season 2: Laying the Foundation
The natural starting point is with Season 1, followed immediately by Season 2. This linear progression is straightforward and allows you to become invested in the characters and the central mystery.
Notes on Season 1 and Season 2
Should you watch Log Lady Introductions?
Two versions of Season 1 and Season 2 exist. Streaming services typically offer versions without the Log Lady Introductions. These intros, featuring Margaret Lanterman, the Log Lady played by Catherine Coulson, were created by David Lynch for a 1993 Bravo re-airing. Lynch, believing Twin Peaks was over, used these intros as a final opportunity to share his insights on each episode.
These introductions are a valuable addition to the viewing experience. Often offering philosophical musings or general wisdom, some intros are remarkably specific and relevant to the episode’s themes. They enhance the mystery and can guide the viewer’s perspective. Seamlessly integrated, they feel like they were always meant to be part of the episodes. The Log Lady intros also serve as a tribute to Catherine Coulson, who makes a poignant final appearance in Season 3. You can find more information and the scripts for each intro on the Twin Peaks wiki here. While not essential for understanding the plot, they enrich the Twin Peaks atmosphere and are highly recommended for dedicated viewers seeking a deeper experience.
Should you watch the International Pilot?
Yes, absolutely watch the Pilot episode. It is the crucial starting point, introducing the characters and the core mystery of Laura Palmer’s death. Streaming versions feature the American edition pilot, which is the version to watch. Be cautious not to accidentally watch the international pilot initially, as it can cause confusion.
The international pilot includes 20 minutes of extra footage, created for a potential European television movie release if the series wasn’t picked up. This version was a contractual obligation for Lynch. However, the series that evolved into Season 1 and Season 2 significantly surpasses the pilot’s scope. The international pilot can be viewed, but it’s best to watch it after completing Season 1 and Season 2 to avoid unnecessary confusion and maintain the intended viewing experience.
I Have Heard Season 2 Loses Its Way, Should I Skip Episodes?
While Season 2 of Twin Peaks is often debated among fans, and it’s true the middle section can feel somewhat meandering, skipping episodes is generally not recommended for a comprehensive viewing. Seasons 1 and 2 together comprise 30 episodes, a significant time investment. There’s a commonly circulated ‘Twin Peaks Survival Guide’ within the fandom that suggests skipping seven episodes in Season 2, often considered weaker. You can find discussions about this guide on platforms like Reddit.
However, even these ‘skippable’ episodes contain plot points, character development, or simply Twin Peaks’ unique atmosphere that contribute to the overall experience. You might miss storylines like Nadine’s amnesia and high school return with super-strength, James’s ill-fated romance, or Windom Earle’s villainous schemes. Even Billy Zane’s memorable (for the wrong reasons) knitwear adds to the quirky tapestry of Season 2.
Crucially, the final two episodes of Season 2 are essential viewing, setting the stage for Fire Walk With Me and The Return. My advice is to watch all of Season 2 if possible. If time is truly limited, consult a detailed episode guide, but be aware that skipping episodes might mean missing nuances that enrich your overall understanding and enjoyment of Twin Peaks.
Fire Walk With Me: Delving into Laura Palmer’s Darkness
Fire Walk With Me should be watched between Season 2 and Season 3. Despite being a prequel to Season 1, watching it before the series would diminish its impact and likely cause confusion. Its power is amplified by the context established in the first two seasons.
Initially met with harsh criticism after its Cannes Film Festival premiere, Fire Walk With Me has since been re-evaluated and is now widely regarded as a masterpiece. David Lynch’s dedication to Laura Palmer’s story is evident in this film, and it serves as a crucial bridge to The Return. The performances, especially Sheryl Lee’s portrayal of Laura, are highlights, revealing the ‘darkness and light’ within her character, a theme that continues into Season 3.
Rewatching Fire Walk With Me, its dark atmosphere becomes even more striking, foreshadowing Lynch’s later works like Lost Highway and Mulholland Drive. It deepens the Twin Peaks mythology and is essential for understanding the full scope of the narrative.
The Missing Pieces: Expanding Fire Walk With Me
The Missing Pieces comprises deleted scenes from Fire Walk With Me. While fan edits exist that reintegrate these scenes into the film, the generally preferred viewing method is to watch The Missing Pieces as a standalone feature after Fire Walk With Me.
Watching The Missing Pieces separately offers a rewarding ‘bonus’ experience. It fills in narrative gaps and provides additional context to key scenes, including the infamous ‘Pink Room’ scene. It heightened my anticipation for rewatching Season 3 and deepened my engagement with the Twin Peaks universe. The Missing Pieces is included in the Twin Peaks: The Entire Mystery Blu-ray box set and is also available on platforms like YouTube.
A detailed scene-by-scene guide to The Missing Pieces can be found on the Twin Peaks wiki here.
Cody Shafer aptly describes The Missing Pieces: “The 90 minutes of footage chosen for inclusion here provide clues to the bigger mystery of Twin Peaks and build on themes that carry into The Return. But even the title is a play on its very existence within Twin Peaks’ cosmology. Did these scenes take place within the official canon? Or are they glimpses of an alternate timeline? Are the missing pieces the scenes themselves, or the fact that there is something actually missing in nearly every one of these scenes, like an unplanned thread of consistency, discovered decades later in the editing process, that brings everything together?”
For a deeper analysis, read Cody Shafer’s article, In Plain Sight: How The Missing Pieces Fits into the Twin Peaks Puzzle, available here.
Season Three (The Return): The Culmination
In short, Season 3, also known as The Return, is the pinnacle of the Twin Peaks saga. Rewatching everything before Season 3 is primarily to prepare for and enhance your understanding of this final season. It is truly all about Season 3.
Without spoilers, Season 3 expands the narrative significantly, focusing on both Dale Cooper and Laura Palmer in unexpected ways. As David Lynch mentioned to Ray Wise long before Season 3’s greenlight, “Well, Ray, you know, the town is still there. And I suppose it’s possible that we could revisit it. Of course, [your character is] already dead… but we could maybe work around that.”
Executive producer Sabrina S. Sutherland clarifies that “Season 3” is its official title. “The Return” and “A Limited Event Series” were marketing terms used by Showtime. Understanding this helps frame Season 3 as a direct continuation and essential part of the Twin Peaks canon.
Enhance Your Journey: Essential Reading
To further enrich your Twin Peaks experience, consider exploring these recommended readings:
The Essential Wrapped In Plastic – John Thorne
ESSENTIAL while watching Season 1 and 2 and Fire Walk With Me
Wrapped In Plastic was a dedicated Twin Peaks fanzine published from 1992 to 2005. Editor John Thorne has compiled some of the magazine’s best essays and included detailed episode breakdowns for the pilot and all of Season 1 and 2, as well as coverage of Fire Walk With Me. I found this book to be an invaluable episode-by-episode companion during my rewatch, alongside the blogs mentioned below.
The Secret Diary of Laura Palmer
ESSENTIAL – “The man behind the mask is looking for the book with the pages torn out”
Laura Palmer’s secret diary is a crucial element of the Twin Peaks narrative. Discovered during FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper’s investigation, the diary reveals Laura’s hidden life. Reading it provides an immersive companion experience, delving into Laura’s inner world.
An Audible version, narrated hauntingly by Sheryl Lee as Laura, is also available. Be warned, the diary’s content is dark and potentially triggering. I recommend reading it after Season 1 and 2 and before Fire Walk With Me to enhance the film’s impact. Season 3 features scenes related to missing diary pages, further rewarding dedicated fans.
Ominous Whoosh: A Wandering Mind Returns to Twin Peaks – John Thorne
ESSENTIAL
“If you appreciate the power of art to change lives, then you should read John Thorne’s master class on Twin Peaks The Return. John doesn’t tell you what to think; he shows you how to watch closely and make up your own mind. John is one of the great watchers and thinkers of cinema in our modern age”. – Goodreads
My initial viewing of Season 3 in 2017 was weekly. In my 2024 rewatch, watching episodes closer together heightened immersion. However, it was reading Ominous Whoosh after Episode 18, along with listening to podcasts, that significantly enhanced my understanding of The Return. Thorne’s book is an invaluable guide to navigating the complexities of Season 3. I’m now revisiting Season 3, watching episodes individually and then reading episode summaries to fully absorb its depth.
The Secret History of Twin Peaks
OPTIONAL but probably worth it – read at any time as its all history
Written by Mark Frost and published before Season 3, The Secret History of Twin Peaks provides extensive character backstories and bridges the gap between Season 2 and Season 3. It’s a worthwhile read for those wanting a deeper dive into the Twin Peaks universe.
Twin Peaks The Final Dossier
OPTIONAL but probably worth it – read after Season 3
Also by Mark Frost, Twin Peaks: The Final Dossier is presented as FBI Agent Tamara Preston’s post-The Return report to Gordon Cole. It consists of 18 files focusing on individual Twin Peaks residents, offering further insights into their fates after the events of Season 3.
Dive Deeper: Podcasts for Twin Peaks Obsessives
The world of Twin Peaks podcasts is vast, but finding quality analysis can be challenging. Fortunately, some podcasts stand out as ‘pure gold’, enhancing the episode viewing experience. Episode-by-episode podcasts are particularly valuable, allowing you to delve into analysis immediately after watching.
Diana
My personal favorite. This UK-based podcast from Brighton features a group of engaging hosts who clearly enjoy discussing each episode. Their approach is both funny and insightful, making them perfect episode-by-episode companions. Despite the tragic passing of host Mark, his joyful engagement with Twin Peaks remains a highlight. Available on Spotify.
Blue Rose Task Force: A Twin Peaks Obsessive Podcast
Available on Spotify. This podcast offers serious and thought-provoking analysis, exploring both broad themes and minute details of Twin Peaks. Along with Diana, it served as an excellent episode-by-episode companion during my rewatch.
Twin Peaks The Return A Season Three Podcast
This Australian podcast provides deep and wide-ranging discussions, featuring insightful guests and exploring areas like sound design in Twin Peaks. It has navigated some controversy within the Twin Peaks fan community regarding its analytical approach.
Explore Further: Essential Twin Peaks Blogs
For ongoing Twin Peaks content and analysis, these blogs are invaluable resources:
Welcome To Twin Peaks – The original and consistently fresh source for Twin Peaks news and discussion.
Twin Peaks Soundtrack Design – In-depth explorations of the iconic Twin Peaks soundtracks.
25 Years Later – Features excellent in-depth analytical articles on various Twin Peaks aspects.
Twin Peaks Blog – Superfan Steven Miller’s blog, offering diverse content, including fascinating explorations of Twin Peaks props.
Interview – An interview with Bruce Phillips, a renowned collector of Twin Peaks props, offering a unique perspective on the show’s material culture.
By following this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to navigate the intricate world of Twin Peaks and fully appreciate its enduring mystery and artistry. Whether you’re wondering where to watch Twin Peaks or how to deepen your understanding, this comprehensive approach will ensure a rewarding and immersive journey into one of television’s most unique creations.
