It’s strange, being an omnivert. Most people are either an introvert or an extrovert, but I’m an omnivert. I switch back and forth. I’m mostly an extrovert these days, but sometimes I’ll slip back into introvert mode. Usually there are two days a week that I’ll spend some time by myself. It’s usually on those days that I switch into introvert mode. If it’s not one of those days, however, and I become introverted, then things get a little odd. I start to get detached from everything, and I begin to feel like I’m just being strung along by everyone. No one seems to notice, but it can be a very disorienting experience. I suspect that this must be what Agent Cooper feels like in his current state. My experience, of course, is a far cry from the near-catatonic condition that our favorite fictional FBI agent is dealing with. I, of course, will snap back to “normal” usually very soon, and with no effort. When will Agent Cooper snap back to the good old Coop that we all know?
As the fourth episode opens, we find Cooper still at the casino, and winning every slot he plays. He’s Mister Jackpot now. The old woman who mocked him earlier is now playing the machines that he points out to her. We don’t have our Coop back yet, but at least he’s having some success at something. Through the incredible “luck” that he seems to be having, he’s even made it back “home.” Many fans seemed pretty surprised that “Dougie” had been able to attract Naomi Watts’ character as his wife. From what little we know about Dougie, he seems to have something of a dopey charm. Also, he obviously has Kyle MacLachlan’s looks, and chicks really seem to dig Mr. MacLachlan. I have to admit that his “bathroom problem” did seem a little silly. Wouldn’t instinct kick in and guide him through the urination process? It’s somewhat appropriate that Sonny Jim (who I assume is his son or stepson) is helping him through the basics of everyday life. It was when Cooper grabs the coffee that I saw a glimpse of the old Coop. When he spits it out, I wasn’t sure if it was the taste or the heat that spooked him. Maybe the coffee will be what starts to wake him up, or will it be when he has some much better coffee than Janey’s?
I actually thought it made a lot of sense that former delinquent Bobby Briggs is now a police officer. It was a touching moment when a glance of Laura Palmer’s homecoming photo understandably brings him to tears. I found it interesting to know that his father Major Garland Briggs had been the last person to see Cooper (which would’ve been his doppelganger at that point) before he went missing. The Major then died in a fire, so no one knows what they may have discussed during this meeting. Robert Forster was a good fit as the new Sheriff Truman (brother to the former Sheriff). I actually liked him better than Michael Ontkean’s Sheriff Harry Truman. Also it was nice to see Forster in a David Lynch television series. He had been unavailable to play the original Sheriff Truman in the earlier Twin Peaks, and had been cast as the sheriff in the Mulholland Drive pilot, which unfortunately never went to series and was subsequently converted into a feature film.
I wondered when David Duchovny’s Denise Bryson was going to appear in the new show. In the original series, the character seemed to be treated as somewhat of a joke. Fortunately, the times have changed. The character now rings true, and is no longer the butt of a punchline. Interesting that Chief Cole now needs permission from Chief Of Staff Bryson to bring along a young and attractive Agent Tamara Preston. Her concern over the agent’s wellbeing around an older superior that obviously has the hots for her comes from a layered direction. She’s more than just doing her job. Gordon Cole’s retort is both a warning and a reminder. I don’t have the exact quote in front of me, but it was something to the effect of having enough dirt on Bryson to fill The Grand Canyon but “never using a spoonful.” I like that Gordon was the one to stand up to the rest of the Bureau when Denise went through her no-doubt-controversial transition.
Gordon and Albert’s “conversation” with Evil Cooper is just downright chilling. The monotone voice. The repetition. The repetition. Enroute to the Bureau to meet with Gordon about a twenty-five-year -old undercover mission that he knows nothing about? I like how “Bob” explains that this is when the accident occurs, then seemingly forgets about explaining this, then explains it again in the exact same sentence. The mirroring of the dialogue. Did I mention the repetition? Once again, Phillip Jeffries’ involvement is brought up. Albert’s revelation about Jeffries serves as proof that his character is more than just a bunch of clever sarcastic remarks. The fact that Phillip Jeffries keeps being brought up adds fuel to the rumors that David Bowie may have secretly reprised his role before his death. One could at least hope.
Tags: David Duchovny, David Lynch, Kyle MacLachlan, Mark Frost, Naomi Watts, robert forster, Showtime, TV, Twin Peaks
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