Twin Peaks, Episode 1.6: Realization Time

Twin Peaks: Realization Time

As I mentioned in the last review, the cliffhangers at the end of “Cooper's Dreams” are not resolved in exciting ways. Leo is fine. Cooper and Audrey don't sleep together. In fact, the way he disarms her advances is rather sweet. “Realization Time” is largely devoted to the show's heroes closing in on the sinister business at One Eyed Jack's. Coop and Ed go undercover at the casino. Audrey worms her way into the brothel. Waldo the Myna Bird is killed right before giving away any vital clues. Meanwhile, Donna, James, and Maddie concoct a scheme to get into Dr. Jacoby's office, unaware that someone is watching them.

I haven't talked much about Audrey Horne but she's really one of the show's best characters. A mischievous and frequently bratty teenager, she has a moral code all her on. This is obviously a reaction to being raised by a duplicitous scumbag like Ben Horne. She wants to uncover the truth about Laura because she wants to impress Cooper, and to shame her dad, but also because she has an innate sense of right and wrong. Her investigative path in this episode, spying behind the perfume counter at the department store and infiltrating her way into One Eyed Jack's, is fun to watch unfold. (Not to mention reminiscent of “Blue Velvet” in the best way.) Sherilyn Fenn surely made an impression in the role, with so much obvious on-screen charisma.

This time, our director is Caleb Deschanel, a much in-demand cinematographer. (And, yes, father of Zooey and Emily.) He certainly shows off those skills in “Realization Time.” It's a good looking episode. The obvious highlight is the death of Waldo the Myna Bird. From the thunder and lighting outside, to the sudden bullet that blows the bird to shreds, to the blood splattering over the donuts, it's an impressive series of images. Deschanel also gets the most out of the episode's moments of voyeurism. From Audrey peering from behind a wall, to the unidentified stalker watching James and Donna at the end, these scenes have lots of shadowy intrigue to them.

As season one veers towards its conclusion, the various subplots are starting to come together. Bobby Briggs and James Hurley's separate storylines come together in an admittedly awkward fashion. Leo is clearly becoming more and more involved in the central murder of the series. As is One Eyed Jack's. Luckily, there aren't too many scenes devoted to that tedious business about the mill in this episode. I'm getting real tired of watching Ben Horne and Catherine Martell scheme among themselves, without actually acting on anything.

At the very least, Coop and Lucy get some cute moments. I'm fond when he plays his little flute, as well as the adorable romantic drama between Lucy and Andy, who is foolishly unaware of what's actually happening. While probably among my least favorite season one episodes, “Realization Time” does have enough really good stuff in it for me to provide a positive score. There's still no other show that would have the audacity to make a chirping little bird an integral part of a murder investigation. [7/10]