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One of the greatest, most influential, and game-changing television shows of all time, David Lynch's mega cult hit, Twin Peaks, is now available to stream for free on Pluto. Despite Twin Peaks only lasting two seasons, Lynch's work broke the mold for what is possible with a television series. It has a legacy that extends far beyond 1990, when the series first premiered. Here’s why now is the best possible time to make Twin Peaks your next major television binge obsession.
David Lynch Brought Cinematic Auteur Sensibilities to Television
The late, great David Lynch was already an esteemed, highly respected, and accomplished director at the time of Twin Peaks' debut. However, Lynch was not merely the director of the show’s pilot. He also served as the series co-creator, co-showrunner, writer, and executive producer with Mark Frost. Lynch brought his avant-garde, cinematic style to television, presenting something that viewers had not seen before in the format. Lynch proved that an ongoing television series could push the envelope and bring a movie director's more cinematic style and sensibility to television.
Lynch not only spearheaded his unique vision for the series but also delivered high-level production values. The series utilized real locations in Washington State to bring the town of Twin Peaks to life, so it comes off as a real place, despite its eerie, supernatural nature in the series. Twin Peaks was one of the first shows that proved a network television series did not necessarily have to limit artistic vision, especially for creators with more of a feature directing background.
'Twin Peaks' Pioneered the Serialized Storyline Format
Twin Peaks kicked off with the mysterious and tragic murder of the teenage student, Laura Palmer (Sheryl Lee), or as the character of Pete Martell (Jack Nance) most famously said, "She’s dead. Wrapped in plastic!" The mystery surrounding Laura's death served as the impetus for the show, drawing eccentric FBI Agent Dale Cooper (Kyle MacLachlan) to Twin Peaks to get to the bottom of the case. Although Twin Peaks wasn't the first television drama to have continuous storylines from one episode to the next, the series did help pioneer that format for network television, helping make it more common throughout the industry.
Despite Lynch never wanting Laura's death to be solved, network executives would eventually force his hand in Season 2. Regardless, the mystery of who killed Laura Palmer captivated viewers and became an amazing catalyst for the show's unique, eclectic ensemble of characters. Additionally, Twin Peaks made it trendy for shows that begin with a major central mystery or a startling death.
Frost and Lynch pushed the envelope in terms of content and subject matter on a mere network television show. As it progressed, Twin Peaks explored disturbing and mature themes, with Laura's death gradually unveiling dark secrets in the seemingly quaint, idyllic town. Lynch uses the series to explore the dark, seedy underbelly of small-town America, and through Lynch and Frost's masterful writing, they broke down barriers, redefining what was possible for network television.
'Twin Peaks' Started a New Wave of Modern Television
Twin Peaks sparked a lasting influence throughout the television ecosystem. Twin Peaks' influence is evident in many shows over the last several decades, including The X-Files, The Sopranos, and Lost, as well as more recent animated shows like Gravity Falls. More directors known for their work on the big screen would start gravitating toward television, trying their hands at directing pilots or episodes, setting the standard for a show's entire run.
In the years that followed, more shows started exploring longer-form storylines or season-long mysteries. Viewers could see this in The X-Files, with its major character and story arcs involving government conspiracies and alien invasions. Multiple actors who appeared on Twin Peaks played roles in The X-Files as well, with star David Duchovny originally portraying FBI Agent Denise Bryson in Twin Peaks. Don S. Davis, best known as Major Garland Briggs on Twin Peaks, would later portray Captain William Scully, father of Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson), on The X-Files.
Twin Peaks truly reinvented television for the modern age in the 1990s. Thanks to its long-awaited revival with Twin Peaks: The Return in 2017, the show cemented its legacy as one of the most innovative and unique shows of all time. And it all started with the 1990 original series, which is streaming for free now on Pluto.
