A somewhat disappointing season opener, which is puzzling since it is written and directed by Lynch himself, although Mark Frost shares a writing credit.
The opening scene runs much too long as we are forced to watch the old waiter repeat lines, bumble around aimlessly and finally give the thumbs up to Cooper no less than three times at the door, perhaps intended to mimic the three shots that were fired at Cooper. I realize that this is all probably a joke by Lynch to play on the audience's need for answers following the cliffhanger ending of Episode 7, but it just doesn't seem to work.
The performances seem off, virtually across the board. Cooper seems a bit stiff and much more serious than he was in the first season. He also wears entirely too much mascara (see the scene where he questions Dr. Jacoby at the hospital, for example). Donna is completely changed, now resembling some sort of femme fatale with her shades and cigarettes. Doc Hayward seems a lot more gruff, crabby even. Bobby seems a bit goofier and less overtly angry. Albert comes across as maybe a little TOO mean, especially in the scene where Ed talks to Cooper about his feelings after Nadine's suicide attempt.
Many of the attempts at humor fall flat, and several are just plain stupid. The dancing by Ben, Leland and Jerry in Ben's office after Leland comes in singing is inexplicable and embarassing in its sheer badness - a real head-scratcher of a scene. The scene where Andy bobs and weaves for a good five minutes after being brained by the plank is also uncharacteristically juvenile and decidedly un-clever. The running gag about the bad hospital food, which resembles various shades of baby food, is another bad joke drawn out way too long for its own good. It's a mystery to me how Lynch could have stumbled so badly in writing this episode, as there are so many obviously bad moments like these throughout the episode.
So what is good? The Ed/Nadine thread gains some much-needed depth as Ed recounts the circumstances of how he ended up leaving Norma and marrying Nadine, putting her eye out in the process. It's a good story that neatly explains the sense of guilt, shame and responsibility that motivates Ed. I liked the scene between Major Briggs and Bobby wherein the Major recounts his dream that reveals the true depth of his (repressed) feelings for his son. It is fascinating to see Bobby well up with tears as he realizes what his father's dream means, while the Major rather uncomfortably and abruptly leaves his son with only a handshake.
The final few minutes of the episode are very, very good. The dinner scene is efficient and touching in setting up the change in Leland's mood, which all of a sudden doesn't seem like a change for the better when he collapses on the floor. There is something strangely evocative with all the young girls running about the Hayward house. Their presence seems to indicate a certain warmth and innocence that is in marked contrast with the turmoil bubbling within Leland.
The final scene depicting the killing of Laura Palmer is, of course, chilling and quite well done with a minimum of dialogue and a savageness that is simply breathtaking. It's just too bad that the effort and energy of these last few minutes of the episode are not present throughout the rest of the episode.moreless
EDIT
Episode Summary
A wounded Agent Cooper has a vision of a giant who gives him several clues about the murder of Laura Palmer. Shelly and Pete recover from the mill fire, but Josie and Catherine are missing. Ben and Jerry Horne are not pleased with how the mill fire plan unfolded. Leland Palmer's attitude changes with his hair color. Albert returns to assist the wounded Cooper. Donna gets a mysterious message about Meals on Wheels. Dr. Jacoby recovers from his heart attack, but cannot remember who killed Jacques. Major Briggs has a vision of good things for Bobby. Nadine is in a coma. Leo is a vegetable. Ronnette awakes from her coma after a horrific dream about Bob.moreless
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Lara Flynn Boyle
Donna Marie Hayward
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Kimmy Robertson
Lucy Moran
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Dana Ashbrook
Bobby Briggs
Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions
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Trivia
ADD TRIVIA- When Cooper picks up Audrey's note at the end of the previous episode it is addressed to "My Special Agent". When we see the note in this episode, it is simply addressed to "Agent Cooper". Edit
- The Asian man who attempts to reach Josie by telephone is probably the same Asian man whose scenes in Episode 7 (from Season One) were cut. In those cut scenes, as Cooper returns to his hotel room just before being shot, he is observed by an Asian man in the hotel lobby. Edit
- This episode takes places on Thursday, March 2 - Friday, March 3 Edit
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Notes
ADD NOTES- The second season premiere features the extended opening title sequence from the pilot. All the "Guest Starring," writing, producing, editing and directing credits also run during the main title sequence. Edit
- Neilson Rating: 12.2/20, Number 42 for the week. Edit
- Instead of the usual end credit shot of Laura's prom photo, this episode features Alicia Witt at the piano. Edit
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Quotes
ADD QUOTES- Andy: Albert Roserfelt, I don't like the way you talk smart about Sheriff Truman or anybody! You just shut your mouth! Edit
- Major Briggs: A vision I had in my sleep last night. As distinguished from a dream which is a mere sorting and cataloging of the day's events by the subconscious. This was a vision. As clear as a mountain stream. The mind revealing itself to itself. In my vision I was on a veranda of a vast estate, a palazzo of some fantastic proportion. There seemed to emanate from it a light from within this gleaming, radiant marble. I'd known this place. I, in fact, had been born and raised there. This was my first return. A reunion with the deepest wellsprings of my being. Wandering about I noticed happily that the house had been immaculately maintained. There'd been added a number of additional rooms but in a way that blended so seamlessly with the original construction one would never detect any difference. Returning to the house's grand foyer came a knock on the door. My son was standing there. He was happy and care free. Clearly living a life of deep harmony and joy. We embraced. Warm and loving embrace, nothing withheld. We were, in this moment, one. My vision ended and I awoke with a tremendous feeling of optimism and confidence in you and your future. That was my vision, it was you. Edit
- Cooper: Harry, when Albert finishes up at the Great Northern we'll meet back at the station. I'm ready to lay the whole thing out. Truman: Rocks and bottles? Cooper: Chalk and blackboard will be just fine. Truman: Jelly donuts? Cooper: Harry, that goes without saying. Edit
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Allusions
ADD ALLUSIONS- The repeated references to a "third man" who was present at Laura's rendezvous with Leo and Jacques seem to be a reference to Carol Reed's noirish film, "The Third Man." Edit
- Cooper: It's not so bad as long as you can keep the fear from your mind. This quote calls to mind MacLachan's performance in Lynch's Dune in which, as Paul, he recites the litany against fear, "I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when my fear is gone I will turn and face fear's path and only I will remain." Edit
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Should i watch the second season?
01/14/121
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Did this show have a true ending, or did it just end when cancelled? No Spoilers
01/11/126
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Spoilers perhaps!... Jocy Packard
04/26/1110
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Palmer murder or Windom Earle?
02/07/116
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Horror Channel Shows It Again in the UK
11/10/104
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Episode Twenty-Nine (2)
S 2 : Ep 22
Aired 6/10/91
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Episode Twenty-Eight (1)
S 2 : Ep 21
Aired 6/10/91
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Episode Twenty-Seven
S 2 : Ep 20
Aired 4/18/91
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Episode Twenty-Six
S 2 : Ep 19
Aired 4/11/91
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