Twin Peaks, Episode 3.9: The Return, Part 9

Twin Peaks: The Return, Part 9
This is the Chair

“Twin Peaks” returns to the present, in “Part 9.” Cooper's Doppelganger survived getting shot. He plots his next move. Gordon Cole and Albert Rosenfield – with Diane tagging along, quite unwillingly – discovers the mysteriously headless body of Major Briggs, the corpse uncovered in “The Return's” premiere. This soon leads them to William Hastings, who ran a conspiracy theory blog in his spare time. He relates a very strange encounter with the Major to them. Meanwhile, Sheriff Truman and Hawk meet with the late Major's wife, who also gives them a clue. Lastly, the police try to figure out why "Dougie Jones" is such a target and capture Ike the Spike. Got all that? These hours sure are dense, aren't they?

Even though they contained details of their own, I did complain that the first six episodes of “The Return” dragged a bit. Now, nine episodes in, I'm almost mad to report that many of the subplots are coming together in a smooth, satisfying manner. The investigation of the headless body in South Dakota, which seemed like one of the more superfluous subplots up to this point, links up with the FBI's own investigation here. That it resolves one of the other lingering mysteries of the original series, what happened with Major Garland Briggs, makes it all the more satisfying to see. One tiny piece of paper, referenced twenty years earlier, reveals a deeper meaning now. I guess, as frustrating as it is to admit, the show was right to play the long, slow game.

If Leland Palmer – or, at least, Leland Palmer when possessed by BOB – represents a horribly abusive father, it's nice that “Twin Peaks” also provides us with a wonderfully loving and wise parent in the form of Major Briggs. Even after he's gone, Bobby's dad is still giving him answers. Hidden inside a chair is the next hint in the Twin Peaks Sheriff Department's investigation. It turns out Major Briggs knew what he was talking about all along, once again things the second season set up two decades prior coming full circle only now. It's certainly a touching send-off to the late, great Don S. Davis, who passed in 2008.

In fact, Major Briggs' head floating through the sky in the third episode was a precursor of what was to come. “Part 9” features another memorable moment involving this subplot. The FBI goes to interview William Hastings. When pressed, he delivers a tear-soaked confession of his meeting with the Major. What follows isn't just a wonderful bit of acting from Matthew Lillard – who knew he could cry so well?! – but something more. Hasting's bizarre, rambling confession includes talk of mysterious men attacking him and a body floating into the air. It recalls the kind of traumatized memories and encounters that alien abductees report. This can't help but feel like another one of Mark Frost's nods towards America's esoteric history.

All of this is pretty great and satisfying but what I like the most about “Part 9” are the smaller moments. Diane shares a cigarette with Gordon Cole, who quit smoking years earlier. Lucy and Andy have an adorable interaction where the wife subtly gets her way, concerning a chair she wants to buy. (Chairs are obviously an important part of this episode.) Ben and his secretary get closer but, showing the hotel magnet's character development hasn't backslid any since season two, he stops himself from going any further.

“Part 9” has plenty of other odd little moments inside. Jerry Horne's foot talks to him. “Dougie Jones” stares at a flag, more of his previous life as Dale Cooper slowly coming back to him. And, of course, there's yet more intrigue involving the Doppelganger. (Plus a cameo from Tim Roth.) Over all, it makes for a hugely satisfying hour of television. “The Return” is really starting to move. [8/10]