Twin Peaks

Twin Peaks is an anomaly, a weird and disturbingly dark show that found mainstream success and syndication on ABC in 1990. The show takes a police procedural and completely turns it on its head.

As a small town grapples with the murder of a popular teenager, the show asks a simple question- "Who killed Laura Palmer?"

The town locals along with help of the eccentric yet lovable Special Agent Cooper try to solve the mystery of Laura's death.

Twin Peaks feels like a town that we've passed by on a road trip or in a dream. A place that you might like to return to one day. The town of Twin Peaks is very relateable with seemingly regular folks in pursuit of a good donut and fine coffee. However, everything is a little bit off-

Twin Peaks features an extensive cast of local fixtures who are mainly up to no good.

If I were to describe the feelings invoked while watching Twin Peaks, it's like returning to your  childhood hometown, only to discover that it is much darker than you remember. You realize that people and places can have false faces and that a more sinister nature lurks underneath.

One of the reasons why the show works is because of its use of parody.

Everyone seems to be having an affair and the characters are caught up in some truly nefarious acts such as drug dealing and prostitution. There is even a parody soap opera called "Invitation to Love" which can be seen on local tv sets.

Also, for a show that is nearly 25 years old, the writing and character development are superb.

Each person has a unique character and their own set of problems

As the story progress, the real question becomes not "Who killed Laura Palmer?" but
"Who was Laura Palmer?"

The defining characteristic of Twin Peaks is the surrealism. Visionary director David Lynch, of Eraserhead and The Elephantman fame, brings his signature style to the small screen.

Weird shots of traffic lights, ceiling fans, and an old man giving a thumbs up add to the foreboding atmosphere of quiet Twin Peaks. Reality is blurred with the presence of dwarves, giants, and premonitions. The whole show begins to feel like Alice through the Looking Glass

After a legendary first season, I feel that Twin Peaks jumps the shark in the second and final season when the killer's identity is revealed. The bizarreness and ensuing violence left a sick feeling in my stomach like swallowing too much water while trying to bob for apples.

In conclusion, Twin Peaks is often regarded as a cult classic who found both critical and international acclaim during its original run. Twin Peaks redefined television as a medium and has served as the inspiration for several shows such as The Killing, Bates Motel, True Detective, etc.

The theme song will haunt you as you try to piece together the enigma wrapped in a dream.

Should you find yourself in Twin Peaks, might I recommend the Great Northern Hotel, a clean place, reasonably priced.

They also make a great cup of coffee