‘Twin Peaks’ returns, just as mysterious as ever
Wrapped in plastic, shrouded in impenetrable mystery, the new season of “Twin Peaks” debuts Sunday at 9 p.m. on Showtime. The premium cable service did not make episodes available for review in advance. Returning cast members were forbidden from discussing their roles or whether they are even playing the same characters as in the 1990-91 TV series.
That leaves us to read between the lines until Sunday night, when we learn what series creators David Lynch and Mark Frost have in store for “Twin Peaks” fans who have awaited this (presumed) continuation for almost 26 years.
That time lapse may provide our first clue. In the series finale, which aired in June 1991, FBI special agent Dale Cooper (Kyle MacLachan) entered the red-curtained room (another plane of existence) and saw Laura Palmer (Sheryl Lee), the high school beauty queen whose murder kicked off the series.
“I will see you again in 25 years,” backward-speaking Laura tells Coop.
And guess what? The new season picks up 25 years since that scene first aired.
Both Ms. Lee and Mr. MacLachlan are back for this 18-part third season that features a 217-member cast full of returning players and even more newcomers (Michael Cera, Naiomi Watts, Amanda Seyfried, Jennifer Jason Leigh,
Laura Dern, Jim Belushi).
There are some notable omissions, beginning with Michael Ontkean, who played Twin Peaks, Wash., sheriff Harry Truman, the down-to-earth center who kept the sometimes dark and malevolent, but also often odd and quirky, show from spinning off its axis. Internet rumors suggest actor Michael Forster, who originally auditioned for the Truman role but couldn’t take it due to a scheduling conflict, takes over the part of Truman.
Lara Flynn Boyle and Moira Kelly, who played Laura’s best friend Donna Hayward in the series and 1992 prequel film “Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me,” respectively, are not in the cast list. Michael J. Anderson (”Carnivale”), who played the Man from Another Place (aka the dancing dwarf) is absent, too.
In the “Twin Peaks” universe’s timeline, the last thing viewers saw was the evil spirit BOB (the late Frank Silva) take possession of Cooper — who smashed his head into a bathroom mirror, while asking, “How’s Annie?” as he laughed maniacally. That was a reference to Cooper’s girlfriend, Annie Blackburn (Heather Graham, who also is not listed as a cast member for Showtime’s revival).
Has Cooper been possessed by BOB all these years? Will viewers learn what became of Annie? How much will these new episodes even dovetail with the original series? And will the new season emphasize the darkness of “Twin Peaks,” as in “Fire Walk With Me,” or the lighter, quirkier aspects of the ABC series?
To prepare for this new series, the Hollywood Theater in Dormont will celebrate its annual “Twin Peaks” party and Silencio concert Friday night at 7. Tickets are $12 in advance; $15 at the door and $10 for members. Silencio performs while dream/ nightmare-like Lynchian images are projected on the big screen with offerings of pie, damn good coffee and prizes for the best Lynch-inspired costumes.