On DVD: Twin Peaks The Second Season

 

Created by David Lynch and Mark Frost

Directed by David Lynch, Lesli Glatter, etc.

Starring Kyle McLachlan, Sherilyn Fenn, Lara Flynn Boyle

 

“Fellas, coincidence and fate figure largely in our lives.”

                   Special Agent Dale Cooper (Kyle McLachlan)

 

Wow, I was a huge Twin Peaks nerd when this show aired originally. I have been waiting with baited breath for the second season to be released on DVD. Paramount Home Video has released the second season on DVD. So, I grabbed a cup of coffee and a slice of cherry pie and dug in.

 

The Series

 

For those unfamiliar with the series, the body of Laura Palmer has washed up on a beach near the small Washington state town of Twin Peaks. FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper (Kyle McLachlan) is called in to investigate her strange demise only to uncover a web of mystery that ultimately leads him deep into the heart of the surrounding woodland and his very own soul. Twin Peaks was unlike anything else on television, then or now. It had an amazing surreal and dreamlike atmosphere, unusual plots and characters and every episode had the production value of a feature film.

 

So, entering into the second season, the bulk of the first ten episodes of the season bring some resolution to the Laura Palmer mystery. These were some of the greatest episodes of the series.

 

The remainder of the episodes of the season is just as fulfilling. These provide a more comprehensive look at Agent Cooper, his past and the mystery of his menacing ex-partner Windom Earle. Earle shows up in Twin Peaks and has some unfinished business with Agent Cooper.  While I missed the Laura Palmer mystery and all of its intrigue, Windom Earle and Agent Cooper’s relationship and their investigation into the Black Lodge and White Lodge was captivating.

 

And, for you David Duchovny (X Files) fans out there, here is a chance to see him in a great part before his X Files fame, as DEA Agent Dennis/Denise Bryson. Why does a character have both a male and female name? You just have to watch to find out. Trust me, you will never look at Fox Mulder the same.

 

The second season did suffer because of network meddling and the network insistence that Lynch’s original plan for the show’s main story arc, the murder of Laura Palmer, was taking entirely too long to resolve and insisted that he “speed things up”. The network also insisted on new writers and directors that didn’t have as firm a grasp on the original vision of the show Lynch and Frost had for the show.

 

So, if you are looking for the companion to your lonely Twin Peaks Season One that is lingering on your DVD shelf, here is your chance. I have read rumors that Paramount is considering releasing a megaset, that will have all of the television episodes and the prequel movie Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me. But, I have not received any confirmed information on that, so you probably want to snap Twin Peaks: The Second Season while you still can because Season One is out of print as of this writing.

 

9/10

 

The Video

 

Twin Peaks: The Second Season is presented in its original full frame aspect ratio. The transfer of these episodes is absolute first rate. They look better than they did when they were originally broadcast. The color palette is vibrant and the black levels are impressive.

 

9/10

 

The Audio

 

Twin Peaks: The Second Season is presented in English (Dolby Digital 5.1), English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround), English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono), and Spanish (Dolby Digital 2.0). The dialogue is crystal clear and Angelo Badalementi’s haunting score has never sounded better.

 

8/10

 

The Packaging and Bonus Features

 

Twin Peaks: the Second Season is presented in a cardboard slipcase with three slim amaray cases that hold two discs in each. It's an OK presentation but weak compared to the presentation of season one.  What happened Paramount?  Season one featured better art and packaging all around.

 

There are a few bonus features to explore on this release. There are several interviews with people involved in the production of the show, such as directors (Todd Holland, Tim Hunter, Stephen Gyllenhaal, Caleb Deschanel and Dwayne Dunham) and also David Lynch’s daughter Jennifer Lynch that wrote the book Laura Palmer’s Diary.

 

There are also several interviews with cast members Kyle McLachlan, Sherilyn Fenn, Madchen Amick, Dana Ashbrook, Richard Beymer, James Marshall, Kimmy Robertson, Don Davis, Charlotte Stewart, David Duchovny, Lenny Von Dohlen and Garrison Hershberger.

 

An option to view the Log Lady intros that were created when the series was in syndication on Bravo is a great bonus features. I haven’t seen these in years and I enjoyed them thoroughly.

 

The most glaring omission in this DVD release is there is not one commentary. David Lynch and Mark Frost nor any cast member or director offered any commentary. There aren’t even any interviews with Lynch or Frost. I'm not sure what the reason is behind this, but it's a sad situation for dedicated Twin Peaks fans.

 

So, while the bonus features are not plentiful, the ones that are offered are enjoyable.

 

7/10

 

Overall ( Not an Average) 8/10

 

Suzie Lackey

 

The Season 9/10

The Video 9/10

The Audio 8/10

The Packaging and Bonus Features 7/10

Overall ( Not an Average) 8/10