Roadhouse and Bookhouse under cloud-filled sky

Richard’s Motel From The Morning After in Twin Peaks Part 18 on Showtime

Richard's motel from the morning after in Twin Peaks Part 18 on Showtime
Richard’s motel from the morning after in Twin Peaks Part 18 on Showtime.

After a desert escapade with Diane, Special Agent Dale Cooper wakes up in a strange motel. He finds a note from Linda who calls him “Richard.” As he exits the room, we realize that he’s in a different spot than where he checked in the night before. In the episode, it appears the motel may be located outside of Odessa, Texas. In reality, this spot is found in Palmdale, California.

Google Maps
Google Maps

The Knights Inn located at  130 E. Palmdale Boulevard originally opened in 1973. The 100 rooms plus a two bedroom manager’s apartment was designed in two story buildings constructed of wood frame/ stucco with exterior corridors and stairwells. At some point in the mid-2000s, it was a Days Inn. I’ve been unable to locate what the hotel was when it opened in the 1970s.

Google Maps
Google Maps

Here is where some of the action took place during this brief morning scene.

Richard's motel in Part 18
Part 18
Google Maps
Google Maps

The scene opens with an exterior establishing shot of the motel. Sadly, Google Street View isn’t available for the parking lot, but there was access to see the motel from one street over.

Part 18
Part 18

While difficult to see, Richard/Cooper leaves room 141, just in case you plan on staying at this Knights Inn.

Part 18
Part 18

Richard/Cooper crosses the parking lot where we get a rare glimpse (thanks to the wind) of the inside of his black suit coat.

Part 18
Part 18

Richard/Cooper opens the door to his car, a black 2003 Lincoln Town Car with a Texas license plate – V52-168R.

Mr. C getting into his black car in Part 2.
Part 2
FBI Car in Part 4
Part 4

This black 2003 Lincoln Town Car is also seen in Part 2 at the Self Storage Unit and Part 4 at the Yankton Federal Prison. Most likely, one car was used for all three scenes and only the license plates were changed.

Richard looks around in Part 18
Part 18
Google Maps
Google Maps

Before getting into his car, Richard/Cooper stops and looks around. The camera cuts to him standing in front of bushes. I’ve circled on the Google Maps image above approximately where this scene was shot.

Richard gets into the car
Part 18

He then gets into his car. Take note of his perfect placed hair.

Richard gets into the car
Part 18

The camera cuts to a different view of Richard/Cooper getting into the car. A gust of wind blows his hair up. Most likely, two different takes.

Richard/Cooper driving his Town Car
Part 18

Richard/Cooper backs up his car.

Richard/Cooper leaving the lot.
Part 18
Google Maps
Google Maps

Richard/Cooper leaves the lot turning left onto Division Street. From Google Street view, you can see the lamp post from the episode.

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  • Steven Miller at Twede's Cafe enjoying cherry pie and coffee

    A "Twin Peaks" fan since October 1993, Steven Miller launched Twin Peaks Blog in February 2018 to document his decades-long fascination with David Lynch and Mark Frost's wonderful and strange show. With his Canon camera in hand, he's visited numerous film locations, attended Twin Peaks events and conducted extensive historical research about this groundbreaking series. Along with fellow Bookhouse Boys, he dreams of creating a complete Twin Peaks Archive of the series and feature film. Steven currently resides in Central Florida.

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