Twin Peaks

A series of DVDs including the pilot and all of the episodes of Twin Peaks was recently released.  Of course we had to buy it, as both Darren and I are avid David Lynch fans.  We have been watching it in small increments when Marina is napping and we are both available, it has been years since either of us has watched the series.

I am again stunned and baffled at the brilliance of Lynch (and Frost, and others who contributed).  In addition to being loaded with symbolism, which lends itself to hours of reflection and discussion, Lynch manages to capture and portray the complexities of the individual.  Characters in movies, plays, books, television, etc. tend to be multidimensional at best.  There are innumerable intricacies of the human experience that most stories simply cannot tap into.  We all experience these things, we are all familiar with the depth of what it means to be human.

Somehow, Lynch manages to explore the most minute details across the entire spectrum of what it means to be human.  His work touches on dark and taboo topics, such as abuse, that are very real to millions on the planet.   He also incorporates the ordinary (such as a guy hocking a loogie into the fire place) amid the extraordinary (such as parallel dimensions beyond our conscious awareness).  Lynch’s characters ARE the story…

He does this in all of his work, but Twin Peaks is by far my favorite.

Oh, I cannot mention Twin Peaks without acknowledging the masterful music.  Angelo Badalamente is one of the most brilliant composers to have ever walked the earth.  He has frequently composed music for Lynch films, and Twin Peaks is quintessential Badalamente.  The music is emotive and moving.  It reaches inside of you and can lift you up, knot up your stomach, put pressure in your chest, make your heart race, make you yearn, and bring tears to your eyes.