“Twin Peaks” is, among other things, an exploration of evil. The show posits that horror can lurk anywhere, even in a seemingly idyllic small town. When you start watching the series, you may be prepared for this idea in theory, but nothing can prepare you for the dark, secret truth about Laura Palmer’s life.
Unlike most procedurals that focus on crime and punishment, Lynch emphasizes the supernatural and surreal in a way that’s all the more remarkable considering the show first aired on network television. From the extradimensional “Red Room” to the evil spirit of BOB, “Twin Peaks” fully embraces its freakishness.
Milky-looking contact lenses, backward or gibberish speech, spectacular screeching, and disorienting lighting effects are all unsettling, but the true terror lies not with Lynch’s otherworldly flourishes. Instead, it lies with Leland Palmer, the seemingly normal patriarch of an ostensibly loving family. Leland’s treatment of his daughter Laura reflects the sad reality of abuse, which often hides in plain sight and is perpetrated by someone the victim trusts.
“Twin Peaks” is about uncovering the uncomfortable truths that no one is willing to talk about. The message of the original — that the familiar and banal can cover deep wells of horror — was particularly hard-hitting given that it debuted in an era when American popular culture was preoccupied with “stranger danger.”
If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN’s National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
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