Monsters of Television

“You’re on the path. You don’t need to know where it leads. Just follow.”

Who killed Laura Palmer?

This is the question, the driving force that started Twin Peaks. We’ve spent the better part of two seasons pursuing the answer to this question, albeit in a very roundabout and convoluted way. We’ve meandered toward the truth, had it revealed to us but not to the characters, and watched as the characters caught up to the final revelation.

Now the truth is out there for everybody to see. The murderer has been found. Justice, of a sort, has been served. The series could end right here without complaint from me. But it doesn’t. So the question has become: what now?

As usual, a mix of physical clues, metaphysical inspiration, and sheer luck lead Cooper to his epiphany that Leland/Bob is the murderer. Thanks to pages from Laura’s Secret Diary (have you met my new band, Laura’s Secret Diary?) – courtesy of the late Harold Smith – Cooper is led to the One-Armed Man, inspired by the old guy at the hotel, and blessed by the giant. And he remembers what Laura told him in his dream – a dream Laura apparently had as well, if her diary is to be believed. (And why shouldn’t it be? This town is cray-cray; you just gotta go with it.) Throw in a random gathering of men, dramatic lightning, and some “magic” and – voila! – Leland done it.

Cornered, Bob comes out to play, readily admitting to the murders and growling threats. He makes Leland harm himself and then exits, leaving Leland with the memories of what he had done. The visual of Leland’s blood streaking down the cell door, a few strands of hair caught in the window grate fluttering in the breeze, was highly distressing. As was Leland – open wound on his head, soaked to the skin from the sprinklers – lying in Cooper’s arms and crying like a baby. Also, is it just me, or did Cooper use Tibetan hoodoo to kill Leland? Like, assisted-suicide kill?

Meanwhile, while everyone’s crying over Leland, Bob’s out there flying around and NO ONE SEEMS WORRIED ABOUT IT AT ALL. Except Harry, who wonders aloud where Bob might have gone. (Curiously, Leland uses plural pronouns – “them” and “they” – to refer to the voice(s) in his head, possibly indicating further shenanigans in that department. Or possibly not, as the “Bob” vision we get to close out the episode freezes on an image of a swooping owl. (The owls are not what they seem.))

Murderer caught, Leland freed, case solved, the gang gather outside, releasing their burdens and philosophizing about events and drinking coffee (as one does). And while many loose threads are still out there waiting to be tied up, this felt very much like a purposeful closure. But the show isn’t ending here. So where are we going next?

I feel like clues have been dropped as to things that will continue to show up – Norma’s issues with her mom, Hank’s connection with Norma’s mom’s new beau, James and Donna’s dramatics, Bobby and Shelly and Leo, &tc. – but what about the big story, the A plot in this alphabet soup? My guess is it will have something to do with what happened in Pittsburgh. (PITTSBURGH.)

Also, because I sort of cheated and have read the entire cast list, I’m guessing drugs. Possibly border-crossing schemes. And more feds passing through and/or setting up shop in our favorite little town. Hopefully Gordon will visit again because YAYS.

Basically what I’m saying is, I have no idea what’s coming. But I don’t need to. I’m already on the path; I just have to follow.

Notes:

• ALBERRRRRT. I love you. Please stay a while forever.
• James and Donna: drama for drama’s sake.
• Ah, the creepy kid magician and the old lady. Totes forgot about him. On purpose, mind you. Creepy kids are creepy. (Does this mean that Donna had a vision, too? Hrm.)
• Not one of these kids has gone to school since the pilot.
• Donna continues to prove that she has absolutely no sense of self-preservation and an extra dose of stupid.