Twin Peaks, Episode 2.18: On the Wings of Love

Twin Peaks: On the Wings of Love

Gordon Cole returns to Twin Peaks to inform Dale Cooper that all the charges against him have been dropped. He is returned his badge and gun, an FBI agent once again. Soon afterwards, Cooper is informed that the strange symbols found on Major Briggs' and the Log Lady's body are also found on the walls of Owl Cave, a near-by system of caverns. Cooper and the Twin Peaks PD go to investigate, though Windom Earle is close behind. (Who, we learn, was also involved with Project Blue Book.) Mostly though, romance is in the air in Twin Peaks. Coop and Annie continue to grow closer, as do Audrey and Jack. Even Gordon Cole feels love's sting, as Shelly catches his eye.

From a plot perspective, “On the Wings of Love” shows “Peaks' focusing back on its mystical lore. Granted, the scenes devoted to Coop, Truman, and the rest investigating a spooky cave is somewhat corny... Yet it is a charming sort of corny. Watching our protagonists get together and dig around for clues in an obscure location feels like a classical sort of mystery adventure, something out of the Hardy Boys. Naturally, the links between Native American mysticism, UFO conspiracy theories, and “Peaks'” particular breed of spiritualism is fascinating. It's easy to get sucked into this sort of stuff, especially if you're someone like me who has always been interested in these esoteric subjects anyway.

The title for “On the Wings of Love” was well chosen. The best scenes in the episode deal with the multiple blooming romances. Though hardcore Coop/Audrey shippers were naturally opposed to the pairing, Dale and Annie actually prove to be a lovable couple. Watching Dale get butterflies in his stomach, telling old jokes and smiling wide, is absolutely adorable. Annie's attempt to flirt back are similarly cute. Gordon Cole's interaction with Shelly is also funny and sweet, even if she clearly isn't sure what to make of his infatuation. (David Lynch's shouting performance has never been funnier.) Lucy and Andy even get a cute scene together, in her stunned reaction to him trying on some spelunking gear.

Of the episode's various events, there's one I'm not too sure about. From the very first episode, Benjamin Horne has been portrayed as nothing but the sleaziest of heels. While one assumes his newfound interest in nature conservation is simply a plot to get back at Catherine Martell, this episode seems to be suggesting that Horne is turning over a new leaf. It's an odd character shift, after almost two whole seasons of someone being a sleazeball and then getting a redemptive arc. Whether or not the show's writers can nail a change like that remains to be seen. (Though, from what I recall, I don't think they do.)

While Windom Earle appearing in disguise to Donna Haywood didn't generate much tension, a sequence where he meets Audrey while disguised as a professor is a little more unnerving. Unlike Donna, who was totally fooled, Audrey seems a little unsettled by this strange man. It doesn't really change Earle being a distinctly different breed of villain than that we've previously seen on this show. One review compares him to a “Batman '66” adversary and that's not a totally baseless point. Yet, again, at least its entertaining. Hammy Kenneth Welsh is fun to watch.

Over all, “On the Wings of Love” is a charming, funny, and intriguing hour of television. I can dig it. [7/10]