Twin Peaks: Season 2

Back when this show originally aired, I didn't watch it until I saw the extremely effective commericals for it. Theory #12 "The Dwarf" it would say with a average joe offering his thoughts to the show. I was hooked and loved the first season. Unforturnately, I missed episodes here and there in season 2 and I found myself lost if I missed an episode. The DVD's come in a cardboard case with 3 thin plastic DVD cases holding two DVD's in each. The special features are minimal with the Log Lady intros and some staff interviews which I found enlightening. David Lynch is not in the specials with I didn't expect him to be in anyway. The menus are simple which I prefer. I do not like highly produced menus with elaborately slow transitions. They are clean, quick and neat. The audio is 5.1 digital with a Spanish and Portuguese language track. There is not DTS track like the 1st season, but that's no big deal. The 5.1 track is exceptional. The video is presented in its original 4:3 aspect. The picture is sharp and the colors are vibrant. I have no complaints over the clarity of the picture. TV show DVD's are all about the episodes. This set has 22 episodes compared to only 7 from the first season without the pilot. It is well worth the price. I cannot recommend this show enough. This show is as good as the coffee. "Damn good!". There is a huge ensemble cast with intrigue protaganists and antangonists. When people talk about the show, some people dismiss it because they've heard of it as been too bizarre or strange. It's true the show has quirky moments and eccentric characters, but it only adds color and depth to the overall show. Watching the episodes in order, the storyline can easily be followed. I have never seen a show that has so many layers as Twin Peaks. Drama, humor, terror, suspense, romance, violence, etc., in each episode. Even though Twin Peaks only lasted two seasons, it is one of the best shows ever on TV. Many of shows now owe their creation to Twin Peaks. Thanks to David Lynch, Mark Frost, the writers, directors, and the cast and crew.

The long wait has finally paid off, but I have to say I was a little disappointed with the packaging in this second and final season. Instead of the nice fold-out pack from the first season, Paramount went with slim CD boxes (6 CDs) this time around stuck into a slip cover. At least they aren't double-sided discs. I guess this means a deluxe set, combining the two seasons, will be issued sometime in the near future, so you may want to wait and see. For such a short-lived series, Twin Peaks is arguably one of the most influential shows in television history, reshaping the medium by turning it in on itself. Lynch used the death of Laura Palmer as a portal into the grainy world of small town America. It was a continuation of the theme he set in Blue Velvet, and not surprisingly Kyle MacLachlan serves as his agent in uncovering the hidden nature of the notorious Twin Peaks. However, while Lynch wanted to leave the murder hanging in the air, ABC wanted to resolve it, and apparently so did Mark Frost, and the suspense that carried the show was lost, never to be recovered. While the first season was tightly wrought, with all 7 episodes building seamlessly on the pilot episode, season two is a mixed bag. The characters multiply and the story line seems to grow ever more convoluted, which I guess is why ABC wanted to see something wrapped up before the show got completely out of control. Yet, the eeriness remained as TP came to personify that dark part of small town consciousness that lurks in almost every community. You either loved the show or hated it. There were few persons who were indifferent to it, which is a pretty good indicator of the impact Twin Peaks had on television. It would influence so many dramas and even comedies that followed, and spawn a whole range of stepchildren on HBO like Carnivale and Deadwood, where directors and writers could more freely explore their dark themes. It is pretty amazing that Lynch and Frost were able to get away with what they did on Twin Peaks, showing just how effective a tool suspense could be if handled with a deft touch.

(Please forgive the pretentious title) It's just that I am so pleased that while searching the Amazon site tonight, I stumbled on the announcement that TP Season 2 was available for pre-order. I was beginning to think that this wonderful, intriguing, delightful series was finally available on DVD after all these years. I regretted for some time that I had not purchased the entire series on VHS when it was available, because not long afterwards it became almost impossible to find. Specifically season 2. Over the ensuing years, I was finally able to purchase the pilot episode, Season 1, and Fire Walk With me. Not to mention both of the wonderful soundtrack scores on CD! But...I was stymied for years at not being able to find Season 2 anywhere. For those of you who either missed it when it was first aired, or were too young to see or remember it, you must watch this series! Innovative, ahead of its time cinema at its best. This series opened the doors to the most creative era of television ever by creating daring, original, and mind-boggling story lines. I highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys original storylines, fabulous acting, and music that adds tremendously to the overall enjoyment. My fellow reviewers and I simply cannot say enough to encourage people to view this groundbreaking, classic series. Enjoy!

Technically, these dvds are quite good from sound quality to picture resolution and navigation menus. The episodes themselves are a mixed bag with those directed by Lynch himself above par while the others inspired to adequate. Without going all into it, the series does decide to solve its central mystery and while this is pleasing on some levels, it does take away from interest in the rest of the show once it's done. However, Twin Peaks was never only about who killed Laura Palmer so this needn't be an issue (though it will be for some viewers). In some ways, Season 2 feels stranger, darker, and at the same time, it's narrative more open. This is one of the more enjoyable worlds you can visit as a viewer and the actors all make you want to spend time with them (well, almost all of them...here's looking at you Mr. Palmer).

Ftom the greatest of great David Lynch fails to fail. Keeps up on end on seat. Wanting more, drawn in by every character. Like your literally in the show by the actings, symbolism and sounds that mean certain words and attributes if you're familiar with David Lynch. If not study, watch documentary then watch all his movies and series. Literally every character is just on point, camera angles, emotions, music, symbolism, sounds of "understanding communication ". Mind blowing! They don't make the series like this anymore bc noone is as creative and real and pushes outter limits for your interests. David Lynch is the best and the series is absolutely a prizewinning privilege classic. Open your mind to a whole new conciousness!

What else can be said about this cult classic? I discovered it later, but my mother was a devoted fan. Before she died we shared the 1st season together, and it was a memory I will never forget. Unfortunately, the 2nd Season was after her death, but as I had not seen the original, it was all new to me, and I'm even more impressed with Lynch than I already was. Enough has been said; books could be written, but what a grand result of Lynch's transcendental meditation! I never tire of watching it, and find nuances with every view. Humor, pathos, quirky, great acting, and of course scenery. I visited the area in Washington where it was shot; beautiful, but as in the series, lots of unemployment. A metaphor for Lynch. Beautiful on the outside, less so the further you look. Thank you for the 2nd Season much waited for!

Why release Season 2 of ANYTHING when Season 1 is unavailable? Why is anything "unavailable" unless there's no market for it? Which clearly isn't the case if they are releasing a Season 2 set. Here's the thing: I'm absolutely CERTAIN that, in six months--just in time for the holidays--we're all going to see a Twin Peaks Special Edition Box Set, containing the FULL Season 1 (yes, WITH pilot) + Season 2. What can we do? Simple: Refuse to buy this product. Until consumers stand up for themselves and say "I'm mad as hell (at this marketing rip-off) and I'm not going to take it anymore!" we'll keep getting slammed. Why is this STILL available in the UK (INCLUDING the pilot)? It's not a rights issue, people. They only tell you that. Rights means money. Yes, two different production companies own the rights to the pilot and the rest of Season 1. But if it can be worked out in the UK, they can do the same here. It's that simple. Home video distributors have been playing this game for years. Disney is the worst offender: They even advertise that such-and-such film is going "back in the Disney vault"! Which means, if you don't buy this now--whether you want it or not--when your kid screams for it, it won't be there. It's the equivalent of holding a gun to the consumer's head, and it should be illegal. Bottom line: Exert your right of refusal and force them to play fair. If not, the only way you'll be able to purchase the complete Season 1 is by buying this set all over again.

I assume that everyone who loved the series has already purchased "The Second Season." It is hard to believe that Twin Peaks made it to television in the first place, much less that it actually lasted a second season. The series holds up very well over time. Without nudity or even any scantily clad women, there is more sexual tension than in "Desperate Housewives," "Sex in the City," or "Friends." David Lynch populated this series with an incredibly large number of regular-appearing actors and cameos. All the women are gorgeous (okay, maybe Nadine is an exception, but her energy and vitality more than makes up for any lack of beauty). It is also interesting to note, that unlike the other series mentioned, David Lynch's women range in age from teen-agers to grandmothers. There are hundreds of two-minute scenes that are worthy of YouTube, and although the fairly long cameo by David Lynch himself is not all that worthy, it is a hoot to see him in action, but he needs to stick to his day job: writing, directing, and dreaming. Most dissatisfying thing about the DVD production itself: limited special features. I would have loved longer interviews and even some commentary would have been nice.