Twin Peaks...

[BeardoMSU]

Anyone else watching the new series? I'm a fan of the original, and this one has been very "Lynchian"...

[Prediction? Pain.]

I'm a huge fan of the original series. (Well, the first 1.5 seasons, anyway.) I've only been able to catch the first two episodes of the new season, which Showtime made available on YouTube for free a few weeks back. That's probably not big enough of a sample size to start forming an opinion. But if pressed, I'd say I was underwhelmed. "Lynchian" is probably the nicest way to describe them. I found them almost totally lacking of the charm, humor, and intrigue that made the best of the original episodes so great. I'm all for pervasive surreal themes and imagery, but only if they're interesting. What have you thought, Beardo? Has it returned to form since the first two installments?

[BeardoMSU]

I'm a huge fan of the original series. (Well, the first 1.5 seasons, anyway.) I've only been able to catch the first two episodes of the new season, which Showtime made available on YouTube for free a few weeks back. That's probably not big enough of a sample size to start forming an opinion. But if pressed, I'd say I was underwhelmed. "Lynchian" is probably the nicest way to describe them. I found them almost totally lacking of the charm, humor, and intrigue that made the best of the original episodes so great. I'm all for pervasive surreal themes and imagery, but only if they're interesting. What have you thought, Beardo? Has it returned to form since the first two installments?

I definitely agree with this. I liked season 1 of the original a lot. Season 2 got too far into all the side plots, when all I really cared about was the central story, but the finale was pretty awesome; especially the ending scene with Coop and Bob in the mirror. High level creepy.

This new season seems to only be "Twin Peaks" in name, because we've spent so little time in the town, or even dealing with the original cast members. It's had it's moments of quirky humor, but it's mostly been the Lynch style of avant-garde cinema, which I am a big fan of (e.g., Eraserhead, Blue Velvet, Inland Empire). That being said, I would prefer if the show had more of the original's charm. The show is 8 episodes in, with 10 left, so I'm really curious to see where it goes.

[Prediction? Pain.]

Thanks for the response, Beardo. I'm hot and cold on the few of Lynch's movies that I've seen. Again, I love the first season and a half of the original Twin Peaks. I liked Mullholland Drive and, to a lesser extent, Blue Velvet. Lost Highway -- which was my first Lynch experience (in the theater as an oblivious teenager, no less) -- struck me as simultaneously interesting, creepy, strangely funny, confusing, and boring. (Man, that was 20 freaking years ago. I really need to watch that one again.) The Twin Peaks movie was both terrifying and a let down. (What I can remember of it, anyway. It too was an early one for me, and I haven't seen it since.) Beyond those, I've only seen bits and pieces of some of his others.

Whenever I catch up with the new season, I'll come back around to give you my two cents. But I'll tell you what -- if at some point I don't see the real Agent Cooper back on task, wide-eyed and smiling, talking earnestly about coffee, pie, or conifers, I'm gonna be pissed.

[BeardoMSU]

But I'll tell you what -- if at some point I don't see the real Agent Cooper back on task, wide-eyed and smiling, talking earnestly about coffee, pie, or conifers, I'm gonna be pissed.

I'm right there with you on this, lol.