Twin Peaks, Episode 3.4: The Return, Part 4

Twin Peaks: The Return, Part 4
...Brings Back Some Memories

The fourth part of “Twin Peaks: The Return” continues its focus on the dazed and disoriented Dale Cooper, re-familiarizing himself with the normal world again. After winning several thousand dollars at the casino, he – believed by others and soon himself to be Dougie Jones – is led to Jones' house. He is soon met be Dougie's wife and son, who don't quite notice he's acting unusual. Meanwhile, the investigation back into Laura Palmer's death and Dale Cooper's disappearance continues in Twin Peaks, led by Sheriff Truman – Frank Truman, Harry's brother – and Bobby Briggs, who is now a deputy. Meanwhile, Gordon Cole and Albert Rosenfield go to interview Dale Cooper's doppelganger, currently in prison. Both agents realize something is amiss with the story he tells them.

If you found the absurd comic relief of the previous episode hard to bare, get ready for this shit. Part 4 of “The Return” is largely devoted to David Lynch's particular breed of bizarre humor. Much of this stems from Dale Cooper's continued inability to function normally. While people seem to find his behavior odd, nobody – including Dougie's wife and son – find it so concerning that they call a hospital. When Cooper urinates or tries coffee for the first time, his reaction is one of ecstatic joy. Long scenes devoted to Dale/Dougie's extremely awkward attempts to navigate conversations push the audience's acceptance of Lynch's oddball humor to the limit.

In fact, “Part 4” seems to be actively frustrating its viewers. Even speaking as someone usually on David Lynch's comedic wavelength – I both own and enjoy “DumbLand” – I'm finding myself getting impatient. The scenes devoted to Lucy being baffled by cellular phones or the introduction of her and Andy's son – played by Michael Cera doing an oddball Marlon Brando impersonation – are funny, sure. But I'm also getting the impression that the actual plot, such as the investigation of the dead body discovered back in episode 3.1 or the Twin Peaks' Sheriff Department's stalled investigation, is barely moving forward any during all of this. Lynch is having a little too much fun screwing around.

Still, David Lynch saves some screen time for some indelible moments. The reveal that Bobby Briggs is now a deputy makes for a decent surprise. Considering some of the shenanigans he used to get up to, becoming a servant of law and order is certainly unexpected. Moreover, his re-introduction also has him seeing Laura Palmer's photograph for the first time in a long time. The camera slowly pans in on that framed photo, which appeared in the end credits of almost every original episode. Badalamenti's “Laura Palmer's Theme” slowly comes to life on the soundtrack, the first time that memorable piece of music has been heard in the revival. Bobby is moved to tears and the audience can understand why. If the return of “Twin Peaks” brought with it many memories, the re-opening of a scarred-over wound – the death of innocence – comes with them.

The second best scene in “Part 4” concerns Gordon Cole and Albert Rosenfield meeting with Cooper's imprisoned doppelganger. For no particular reason at all, Lynch deepens Kyle MacLachlan's voice in this scene. This gives the doppelganger's already demonic persona an even more unearthly edge. His dialogue is empty platitudes, words that have empty meanings, another example of Lynch twisting the normal into something unnerving. Cole and Albert being visibly unsettled by this exchange is something the audience can relate to. Seeing these characters, normally sources of humor, so unsettled by their old friend's strange new appearance leaves a mark.

The revival of “Twin Peaks” was originally planned to only run for nine episodes. Once Lynch fully committed to directing, the season order expanded to eighteen. I'm beginning to wonder if the “The Return” needed to be so long. Only four episodes in and I'm already feeling a bit fatigued by the pacing. But we'll see. I don't doubt Lynch and his team's ability to pull everything together into a whole of some sort. Oh yeah, David Duchovny is back and it's nice to see Denise again too. [6/10]