# Twin Peaks is popular on Netflix? What? I figured out why! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 11, 2015, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twin-peaks-is-popular-on-netflix-what-i-figured-out-why/724864 "2015-07-11T17:28:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![erysichthon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d07c76/32.png) [@erysichthon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erysichthon)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2015, 3:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twin-peaks-is-popular-on-netflix-what-i-figured-out-why/724864/41 "2015-07-14T03:02:34Z")
> [@Rigamarole](#): > > What? People still think it’s good? I just thought it was funny how much standards have changed since then, since I’m only just watching it for the first time now. In fact I’d never heard of it until it popped up in my Netflix list. I’m sure some people around here watched it back in the day and might feel nostalgic for it, and I’m curious to hear what they think of it coming back. > > I can even see how stuff like this could have been seen as good at the time when you had nothing truly good to compare it to, but you can’t possibly watch this stuff today and think it holds up. **Rigamarole** , have you heard of a movie called _The Princess Bride_? I’d be interested in hearing your thoughts on that one. Feel free to start a new thread for it. ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2015, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twin-peaks-is-popular-on-netflix-what-i-figured-out-why/724864/42 "2015-07-14T04:38:50Z")
It really was an _event_, at the time. Someone in my apartment building held weekly _Twin Peaks_ parties, complete with cherry pie and damn fine coffee. Seems hopelessly quaint now. I remember the pilot being shown with almost no commercial breaks and a single sponsor, Ford, IIRC. Unfortunately, that didn’t become a trend. Another part of the buzz was the reunion of Tony and Riff from _West Side Story_ among the cast. As for the titles, a visual artist like Lynch didn’t make them that way in error. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2015, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twin-peaks-is-popular-on-netflix-what-i-figured-out-why/724864/43 "2015-07-14T04:53:35Z")
> [@BlankSlate](#): > > It really was an _event_, at the time. Someone in my apartment building held weekly _Twin Peaks_ parties, complete with cherry pie and damn fine coffee. Seems hopelessly quaint now. I have a sizeable supply of Damned Fine Coffee. (Even though I live in Washington now, and the coffee here is widely praised, I buy Community Coffee Dark Roast from Louisiana.) I’d like to watch _Twin Peaks_ and drink Damned Fine Coffee and eat cherry pie, but I don’t think I could get the SO into it. ---
**Author:** ![tullsterx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e9bcb4/32.png) [@tullsterx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tullsterx)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2015, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twin-peaks-is-popular-on-netflix-what-i-figured-out-why/724864/44 "2015-07-14T12:10:50Z")
This thread feels so much like a “whoosh.” Especially with the OP explaining the what the show is. . . I guess I’m old. I tried to watch it recently. I’ve always been aware of it, I was 23 or so when it came out. I didn’t get past the pilot. I might have to try it again, but I generally agree with the OP. I’m not a fan of David Lynch. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2015, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twin-peaks-is-popular-on-netflix-what-i-figured-out-why/724864/45 "2015-07-14T12:46:25Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > The opening sequence? No, it’s the perfect length–just as long as that song and in 1990 it was like gently slowing your life down to Twin Peaks pace. Where there was more drama and crisis and backstabbing and sleeping around than I have ever seen. Sure, slow your life down to Twin Peaks pace, where the amount of craziness will rival any large town. Yeah, it was an odd juxtaposition. I didn’t like any bits that didn’t have Kyle in them, so all of the background characters really irritated me, especially the wife-beating bastard and his woman, sleeping with a high school student. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2015, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twin-peaks-is-popular-on-netflix-what-i-figured-out-why/724864/46 "2015-07-14T16:32:58Z")
Twin Peaks was simply the best show in television history. David Lynch is the best ever. The characters were awesome. My personal fave scene was when Big Ed was singing “On Top Of Old Smokey” to Nadine in the hospital bed, with Albert laughing at the sentimentality of it all, then Nadine wakes up with superhuman strength, bending the rails of the bed and bursting into a high school cheer as Big Ed looks on in amazed horror. I just hope they can get the Angelo Badalamenti back- the original had the best soundtrack of all time. ---
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2015, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twin-peaks-is-popular-on-netflix-what-i-figured-out-why/724864/47 "2015-07-14T17:20:08Z")
I was a big fan of Twin Peaks when it first ran, and had it sitting in my Netflix queue but hadn’t got around to watching it yet. I fired it up this weekend after reading this thread. I had completely forgotten that both of Susan Ross’ parents (from “Seinfeld”) were in it! ---
**Author:** ![BlankSlate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blankslate/32/80_2.png) [@BlankSlate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlankSlate)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2015, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twin-peaks-is-popular-on-netflix-what-i-figured-out-why/724864/48 "2015-07-14T17:56:46Z")
This thread got me watching again too. I never knew that the character playing Eileen is the Deschanel sisters’ mom or that Eric Da Re (Leo Johnson) is the son of Aldo Ray. Probably more important, his mother was the casting director for _Twin Peaks_ and several Lynch films. But the biggest surprise came in episode three when the “Warriors, come out to play” guy suddenly appeared. ---
**Author:** ![Svejk\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea666f/32.png) [@Svejk\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Svejk_1)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2015, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twin-peaks-is-popular-on-netflix-what-i-figured-out-why/724864/49 "2015-07-14T21:03:34Z")
I have recently quite enjoyed Twin Peaks and I was excited about the upcoming third season. I did not realize though that it bothered **Rigamarole** so much, so I want to apologize. I realize how frustrating it is when people on the internet enjoy something of which you don’t understand the appeal. It’s not right that that should happen to ol’ Rigamarole. I’m really sorry. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [July 14, 2015, 11:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twin-peaks-is-popular-on-netflix-what-i-figured-out-why/724864/50 "2015-07-14T23:09:12Z")
Why do Hyoo-mans enjoy things that they enjoy? ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2015, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twin-peaks-is-popular-on-netflix-what-i-figured-out-why/724864/51 "2015-07-15T01:36:44Z")
> [@Rigamarole](#): > > …with hideously ugly titles. > [@Amateur\_Barbarian](#): > > It’s really such a small thing… but yeahhhhhhhh. At least Mary Tyler Moore’s were… cute. Indeed, they were, but there were plenty of titties on display in _Twin Peaks,_ and I remember none of them were hideously ugly. Nor particularly small. ETA: Oh, perhaps I misread that. Oops! ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2015, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twin-peaks-is-popular-on-netflix-what-i-figured-out-why/724864/52 "2015-07-15T03:26:43Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > Indeed, they were, but there were plenty of titties on display in _Twin Peaks,_ and I remember none of them were hideously ugly. Nor particularly small. > > ETA: Oh, perhaps I misread that. Oops! “That’s ‘Ttitles’, Sean.” “Not one for the ladies are you, Trabek?” For the critics of how “wierd” the show is, have you seen any of the films directed by David Lynch? _Eraserhead_, _Blue Velvet_, _Mulholland Dr._, _Inland Empire_, his adaptation of _Dune_? Lynch is all about ‘wierd’, and specifically in a sexual and often sadomasichastic sense, as examined through the lens of a twisted neo-noir sensibility. _Twin Peaks_ is tame by comparison to his largely self-funded independent film efforts. And while some of the observations about the technical limitations of a show produced in 1990 are valid (the ugly titles, the grainy video quality and confined, set-bound cinematography) a lot of the off-putting-ness is actually a deliberate allegorical commentary on the Reagan-era morals of public piousness versus personal excess. And this the restrained version; see _Blue Velvet_ for the uncensored version. With all that said, I’m not a particular fan of _Twin Peaks_ or David Lynch in general as a supposed cinematic genius, but his work has to be recognized as having a distinct character and a strong personal vision. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![grude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47774/32.png) [@grude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grude)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2015, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twin-peaks-is-popular-on-netflix-what-i-figured-out-why/724864/53 "2015-07-15T06:06:11Z")
I felt kind of betrayed by the show, I signed up for a spooky and weird supernatural thriller. I wanted to know more about the lodges, bizarre locations that seem to be a passage to another realm, and the effort to seal them and keep the malevolent spirits from coming into our reality and murdering people. Then the second season happened… Haunting and strange became slapstick, quirky characters became laugh out loud comedy characters. The show went from spooky supernatural murder mystery to some kind of unfunny parody of prime time soap operas. It was shocking the turn the show too, creepy and unsettling became “haha look how goofy this new character is am I right? Wow that was bizarre right audience lol”. Only for the finale to return to the original tone of the first season. I felt betrayed. EDIT:It would be like the next season of Game Of Thrones having a goofy sitcom feel and it focused on the domestic comedy of the Bolton family. “RAAAAAAAAAAAAMSEY! Didn’t I forbid you from flaying the neighbors!” “Oh I’m a bad, bad boy daddy” That bad and jarring. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_L.A](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_l.a/32/1084_2.png) [@Johnny\_L.A](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_L.A)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2015, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twin-peaks-is-popular-on-netflix-what-i-figured-out-why/724864/54 "2015-07-15T15:10:11Z")
> [@grude](#): > > The show went from spooky supernatural murder mystery to some kind of unfunny parody of prime time soap operas. Yeah, the show did go through a soap opera phase. I didn’t really notice it at the time, but I did when I watched it again a bunch of years ago. I didn’t mind the ‘goofy new characters’, as I’m a Lynch fan. The last part of the final season did get away from the soap opera-ness and returned to what I liked and expected. And the finale was really good – although I could see Lynch yelling, ‘Cancel _me_ will you? OK, here’s the ending, you bastards!’ ---
**Author:** ![gladtobeblazed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/85f322/32.png) [@gladtobeblazed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gladtobeblazed)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2015, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twin-peaks-is-popular-on-netflix-what-i-figured-out-why/724864/55 "2015-07-15T17:34:50Z")
I loved the first season. Didn’t care for the second. Loved the movie Fire Walk With Me. Was too disturbed to keep reading The Secret Diary of Laura Palmer. Can’t wait for the upcoming season. ---
**Author:** ![Rigamarole](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/77aa72/32.png) [@Rigamarole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rigamarole)\ **Post date:** [July 15, 2015, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twin-peaks-is-popular-on-netflix-what-i-figured-out-why/724864/56 "2015-07-15T20:32:42Z")
> [@erysichthon](#): > > **Rigamarole** , have you heard of a movie called _The Princess Bride_? I’d be interested in hearing your thoughts on that one. Feel free to start a new thread for it. Sure, I’ve seen it. And I liked it, though I’m aware of its cult-ish status and don’t really think it’s _that_ great. Guess I don’t think many shows/movies are worthy of cultism except for my own personal faves. ---
**Author:** ![HowSoonIsThen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e56c9b/32.png) [@HowSoonIsThen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HowSoonIsThen)\ **Post date:** [July 16, 2015, 8:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twin-peaks-is-popular-on-netflix-what-i-figured-out-why/724864/57 "2015-07-16T08:50:04Z")
I started watching it recently. A few years ago I tried to get into it, and I thought I’d only seen the pilot. However, I remembered quite a bit from the second and third episodes (which are called episode 1 and 2; I don’t like not counting the pilot). I’m enjoying it. I really like Agent Cooper. An annoying thing is that so many of the characters look the same to me. Laura’s father, the hotel owner, and the husband of that crazy eye patch lady all have very similar faces and hairstyles. Several of the women also have nearly identical haircuts. And I kind of like the titles, if I’m honest. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2015, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twin-peaks-is-popular-on-netflix-what-i-figured-out-why/724864/58 "2015-07-18T04:05:46Z")
> [@HowSoonIsThen](#): > > An annoying thing is that so many of the characters look the same to me. Laura’s father, the hotel owner, and the husband of that crazy eye patch lady all have very similar faces and hairstyles. Several of the women also have nearly identical haircuts. This was at the start of the now-common thing of having many characters and subplots to track, which some guy (can’t remember who) credited with a general rise in IQs. Lynch, being Lynch, worked to accelerate evolution by having many of them look similar. Or it was 1990 and everybody had the same haircut or hairdo. At least we were mostly past salesmen with thinning hair getting puffy perms to fill it out. I don’t remember that being mentioned in _1984_, but there it was in 1984. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2015, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twin-peaks-is-popular-on-netflix-what-i-figured-out-why/724864/59 "2015-07-18T14:29:41Z")
> [@Princhester](#): > > I don’t think there was any general trend towards overacting any more than now. I can’t stand most modern popular TV and movies because every emotion is laid on with a shovel. A wheelbarrow. A dump truck. Yeah, but modern overacting is different somehow. I don’t know what it is, but, somehow, even though the way they act is definitely overdone, it doesn’t feel cheesy or hamfisted. Though the overacting in the past doesn’t really get bad until you get back to the 60s and 70s. ---
**Author:** ![Acsenray](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/acsenray/32/4519_2.png) [@Acsenray](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acsenray)\ **Post date:** [July 18, 2015, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twin-peaks-is-popular-on-netflix-what-i-figured-out-why/724864/60 "2015-07-18T14:46:55Z")
I think the title sequence is gorgeous and perfect, and the lettering works well. I don’t consider it “ugly” at all. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/twin-peaks-is-popular-on-netflix-what-i-figured-out-why/724864.md?page=2)