Setting the Stage – The Moon Over Twin Peaks

With this year marking the 50th Anniversary of Apollo 11, it’s fitting I turn the spotlight on the moon in Twin Peaks and Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me in a new Setting the Stage article. Similar to long shots of traffic lights, perched owls or the mysterious woods, the series and film include a few brief shots of the moon. This Setting the Stage article takes a closer look.

Before we get too far, here is a short video of moon shots from Twin Peaks set to Ludvig Van Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No. 14 in C minor “Quasi una fantasia”, Op. 27, No. 2, also known as the Moonlight Sonata.” I chose this song as it’s the tune that plays (albeit extremely slowed down) in the now iconic Part 8 of Season 3 after Mr. C is shot by Ray Monroe.

THE MOON OVER TWIN PEAKS IN SEASON ONE

The moon’s first appearance over Twin Peaks arrives in episode 1.003 in a scene just before Agent Cooper and Deputy Hawk raise a glass at the Great Northern Hotel. This view will be seen again later in season 2.

The Moon in episode 1003
Episode 1.003

The strange part is that in Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me, a full moon is seen (we’ll get to that in a moment). Episode 1.003 took place on February 27, 1989 which, according to a lunar calendar, the moon would have been a waning gibbous moon.

Needless to say, the moon phases won’t be accurate throughout the series. I don’t think they were ever meant to match as these transition scenes just helped move the episodes along.

Full Moon in Episode 1005
Episode 1.005

Episode 1005 opens with Icelanders singing very early in the morning. A nearly full moon is seen out of focus.

Full Moon in Episode 1005
Episode 1.005
Full Moon
Episode 1.005

As it comes into focus, credits are played over the orangish sphere before cutting to Special Agent Dale Cooper sitting in Room 315 at The Great Northern Hotel.

The Moon in Episode 1006
Episode 1.006

A half moon image opens Episode 1006 just after the credits play and before the scene transitions to Cooper and Audrey in Room 315 at The Great Northern Hotel.

Dr. Jacoby's Umbrellas
Episode 1.007

While this image from episode 1.007 doesn’t contain the actual moon, it does reference our celestial neighbor. James Hurley finds drink umbrellas after Donna and he breaks into Dr. Jacoby’s office. One is labeled, “The Kahala Hilton, July 8, 1969. Men on the Moon.”

Of course, Apollo 11 landed on the moon on July 20, 1969, not July 8. According to NASA, here is what happened on that day of note:

“In an effort to stem the increasing number of human errors found in flight hardware, the ASPO Manager appointed a spacecraft walk-down team to take a first-hand look at spacecraft as late as possible before delivery to KSC. Team members selected were highly experienced in their respective fields and thoroughly familiar with the spacecraft. While ASPO recognized that the team could not possibly discover all the possible discrepancies, it hoped that the inspections might help avoid some of the problems experienced in the past.” – Ltr., G. M. Low, MSC, to R. A. Petrone, KSC, July 8, 1969.

Kahala Hilton Hotel circa 1969
Kahala Hilton Hotel circa 1969

Opened in 1964, the Kahala Hilton Luxury Resort still exists today on the island of Oahu. The image above comes from a postcard dated May 1969 so it gives you an idea of what Dr. Jacoby would have seen when he was there.

THE MOON OVER TWIN PEAKS IN SEASON TWO

In the second season, episode 2.003 is the first time we see the moon peeking through trees blowing in the wind.

The Moon in Episode 2003
Episode 2.003
The Moon in Episode 2003
Episode 2.003

This transition scene is followed by an owl and then Donna Hayward visiting Laura Palmer’s grave at night.

A similar moon first seen in episode 1.006 reappears at different angles in episodes 2.004 and 2.005.

The moon is episode 2004
Episode 2.004

In episode 2.004, the moon makes a brief appearance just before a close up of the neon “RR” sign at the Double R Diner marking the arrival of Daryl Lodwick.

The moon is episode 2005
Episode 2.005

In episode 2.005, the moon appears just before Maddy Ferguson is seen in the bushes drinking coffee outside Harold Smith’s house.

The Moon in Episode 2007
Episode 2.007

A unique view of the moon is found in episode 2.007 just before Mr Tojamura surprises Pete Martell in the kitchen at the Blue Pine Lodge.

The moon is Episode 2010
Episode 2.010

Episode 2.010 recycles the shot first seen in episode 1.003 and it’s seen just before we see Sheriff Harry Truman in bed.

The moon in episode 2013
Episode 2.013

A similar shot of the moon from Episode 2004 is seen again in episode 2.013. It is placed just before Evelyn Marsh leaves James Hurley’s bedroom at Marsh Mansion.

The moon (and trees) in Episode 2015
Episode 2.015

Another unique view of the moon is found in episode 2.015. This time, the moon is superimposed over an image of blowing pine trees. The camera slowly moves in before cutting to an owl flying into the scene. The scene fades into Josie Packard opening a door at Blue Pine Lodge.

2016 Poem Fragment
Episode 2.016

In episode 2.016, Shelly Johnson receives part of a poem from a disguised Windom Earle.

Shelly Johnson in Episode 2016
Episode 2.016

Shelly reads the sentence fragments, one in which includes the words “the moonbeams.”

2016 Gathering of Angels
Episode 2.016

Later in episode 2.016, Audrey, Donna and Shelly gather at 9:30 p.m. in the Roadhouse. They each bring a poem fragment and Shelly Johnson reads “moonbeams” again while a creepy Windom Earle watches from afar.

The Moon Box in Episode 2019
Episode 2.019

While not the moon again, I’m including Thomas Eckhardt’s puzzle box as moon phases are found on the lid. The box is first seen in episode 2.019 when Pete “Butterfingers” Martell accidentally dropped the box which opened to reveal the moon puzzle box.

The moon puzzle box in Episode 2019
Episode 2.019

After Catherine Martell grabs the box from “Butterfingers” Pete, she hands it to Sheriff Truman who examines the lid.

The Moon in Episode 2019
Episode 2.019

The moon view from episode 1.006 returns in episode 2.019. It takes place just after Donna is asked to pass the peas twice during dinner with her parents. But this view is different.

The Moon Monk of Episode 2019
Episode 2.019
The Moon Monk of Episode 2019
Episode 2.019

The camera slowly zooms out to reveal the moon inside the hood of a mysterious figure. The figure had been seen in Episode 2018 with the Owl Cave map. I also believe it’s the same figure who took Major Briggs in Episode 2010 while camping with Cooper.

Moon box in Episode 2020
Episode 2.020
Moon puzzle box in Episode 2020
Episode 2.020
Moon puzzle box in Episode 2020
Episode 2.020

Andrew Packard closely examines the moon phase puzzle box in Episode 2020 while his sister Catherine explains how she received it. Andrew wants to smash the box with a rolling pin to open it.

Moon puzzle box in Episode 2020
Episode 2.020

Catherine insists there is a secret to opening it but the box is “about to drive her mad.”

Moon puzzle box in Episode 2020
Episode 2.020
Moon puzzle box in Episode 2020
Episode 2.020

Andrew begins pressing different moon phases on the box lid.

Moon puzzle box in Episode 2020
Episode 2.020

He is just “trying a few simple combinations” to possibly open the box.

Moon puzzle box in Episode 2020
Episode 2.020

First he tries Eckhardt’s birthday. Nothing.

Moon puzzle box in Episode 2020
Episode 2.020
Moon puzzle box in Episode 2020
Episode 2.020

Andrew then tries his birthday. Can anyone please explain how he knows which moons to push? I’m guessing the symbols are Zodiac signs yet he would need to already understand which signs are represented.

Moon puzzle box in Episode 2020
Episode 2.020
Moon puzzle box in Episode 2020
Episode 2.020
Moon puzzle box in Episode 2020
Episode 2.020

He tries the day the gift arrived and, BINGO – the box opened! Can I now tell you how much I’d love to own this prop?

Moon puzzle box in Episode 2020
Episode 2.020

Catherine slides open the box after setting it on the table. Andrew gloats that he opened it and he proceeds to smash the smaller black box with the rolling pin from earlier in the scene. A silver box is revealed.

THE MISSING PIECES OF TWIN PEAKS: FIRE WALK WITH ME

The Moon in the Missing Pieces
The Missing Pieces

Fast forward now to The Missing Pieces where you can see the half moon hanging in the sky near the location of Hap’s Diner.

Google Maps
Google Maps

This utility pole is located before driveway that turns into the now demolished former Fall City Grill/Diner/Bistro. The moon/pole shot also offers a clue as to when they may have captured the footage.

Utility pole with wires surrounded by trees against a grey-white sky
September 14, 2019

Here is the same utility pole from a visit on September 14, 2019.

According to the official shooting diary for Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me by Charlotte Fraisse on Dugpa.com, the clash between Cliff Howard the deputy and Agent Desmond was shot on Friday, September 13.

This means Chris Isaak who played Chet Desmond was in Washington state around mid-September. The next entry is Monday, September 16 when they shot the Double R Diner / Tremond Intersection scenes. There is no mention of Chet Desmond being on set for those scenes.

Moon Phases from September 1991
Moon Phases from September 1991

According to MoonGiant.com, there was an almost half moon on September 14. This appears to match the moon seen in The Missing Pieces image above, which means they could have shot the Hap’s Diner scene between September 13-15, 1991.

TWIN PEAKS: FIRE WALK WITH ME

Moon covered by clouds in Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me
Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me

This moon appears twice in the theatrical cut of Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me – once when it’s party time at Jacques’ cabin and again when Mike, the One-Armed Man is running through the woods toward the train car.

The moon in the Missing Pieces
The Missing Pieces

A similar shot of the moon is seen again in The Missing Pieces. This time it hovers over the Log Lady who is reacting to the screams she hears the night Laura Palmer dies.

THE MOON OVER TWIN PEAKS IN SEASON THREE

The Moon in Part 8
Part 8

Twenty-five years later, the Moon returns on Part 8 on Showtime. It’s seen just after Ray Monroe flees the scene after shooting Mr. C.

The Moon in Part 8
Part 8

Later in Part 8, a full moon is seen just after the frogmoth hatches in the sand.

Disc 5 - Season 3 Blu-ray
Disc 5 – Season 3 Blu-ray
Disc 5 - Season 3 Blu-ray
Disc 5 – Season 3 Blu-ray
Disc 5 - Season 3 Blu-ray
Disc 5 – Season 3 Blu-ray

The same Part 8 full-moon is seen on the interactive menu from Disc 5 of the Twin Peaks Season 3 Blu-ray set.

The Moon in Part 10
Part 10

A similar moon shot from Part 8 is seen again in Part 10 just before the song “No Stars” is sung by Rebekah Del Rio at the Roadhouse.

The Moon in Part 12
Part 12

The moon in Part 12 is used as a transition scene from Hutch shooting Warden Murphy to Dr. Amp’s trailer in the wilderness.

The moon in Part 15
Part 15

The moon’s final appearance is in Part 15. The shot is similar to the image used in Parts 8 and 10. It is placed following the Log Lady’s farewell call to Deputy Hawk and just before Hawk visits the conference room to announce the Log Lady’s passing.

Author

  • 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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One thought on “Setting the Stage – The Moon Over Twin Peaks

  1. Photo of crescent moon visible by Dale 5 minutes into s02e17. Lines up with puzzle box sign Sagittarius, symbolic of higher learning, “I see” or “I understand.” Sagittarius is the south node sign of David Lynch and Michael Ontkean.

    About the puzzle box, the three symbols he pushes are the only ones that line up correctly with the phases… first is new moon in aries (which would occur during sun in aries, March 21- April 21), the next full moon 2 weeks later would be in libra, and the quarter in between would be cancer. This is how the signs are set in an astrological chart as well. Aries is always opposite libra and square cancer. So none of the other signs and moon phases are accurate or fit, astronomically or astrologically.

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