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Quotable Peaks – Give Yourself a Present

In addition to the dreamy music and mysterious locales, Twin Peaks is filled with many memorable quotes. Therefore, I’m launching a new series on Twin Peaks Blog called Quotable Peaks, which turns the spotlight on some of my favorite quotes and the writers who penned them. I’ll begin with one of my all-time favorite nuggets of wisdom from Episode 1.006.

AGENT COOPER SAYS GIVE YOURSELF A PRESENT

Special Agent Dale Cooper and Harry Truman just finished checking in on Hank Jennings at the Double R Diner. Waitress Shelly Johnson says “hello” to both gentlemen, but Sheriff Harry S. Truman is anxious to move on with his day.

Cooper stops him and shares the follow advice.

Quotable Peaks - Shelly Johnson with Coffee
Episode 1.006

“Harry, I’m going to let you in on a little secret. Everyday, once a day, give yourself a present. Don’t plan it, don’t wait for it. Just let it happen. It could be a new shirt at the Men’s store. A catnap in your office chair. Or two cups of good, hot black coffee. Like this.”

Quotable Peaks - Sheriff Truman Smiles at Cooper
Episode 1.006

Sheriff Truman responds, “A present, like Christmas.”

Agent Cooper nods in agreement and the two sit down to enjoy cups o’ joe.

TWIN PEAKS EPISODE 1.006 SCRIPT

Harley Peyton completed the first draft of Twin Peaks episode 1.006 on November 3, 1989. A second draft script available a few days later on November 8, 1989.

Twin Peaks Episode 1.006
Twin Peaks Archive

Thanks to Twin Peaks Archive, we have a look at Agent Cooper’s original scripted dialog which closely mirrors the broadcast scene.

COOPER
Harry, I want to let you in on a little secret. Every day, once a day, give yourself a present. Don’t plan it, don’t wait for it. Just let it happen naturally. It could be a new shirt from the Men’s Store. A catnap in your office chair. Or maybe, if it’ll make you happy, a hot cup of black coffee. Like this.

Doesn’t get any better than that.

Quotable Peaks - Give Yourself a Present

Here’s to more present-filled days.

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 “Quotable Peaks – Give Yourself a Present

  1. Love this sentence so much. What a philosopher, Coop’.

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