It’s no surprise that I adore David Lynch and Mark Frost’s Twin Peaks. The Pilot episode aired as an ABC Sunday Night Movie on April 8, 1990. For this year’s milestone 30th Anniversary, I’m sharing 30 things I love about this perfect Pilot episode. It’s by far one of the best television pilots ever to grace the airwaves, and I never tire of watching it (especially in 4K Blu-ray – gorgeous!).
Thank you to David, Mark, the cast and crew of this wonderful and strange show. After being obsessed with it for more than half my life, I raise my damn fine cup of coffee to another 30 years of cherry pie, doughnuts and mysteries.
AGENT DALE COOPER’S ARRIVAL IN TWIN PEAKS
Special Agent Dale Cooper’s arrival is one of the best on screen entrances I’ve ever seen. We learn so much about his character in 1 minute and 23 seconds of dialogue.
Most of the scene was shot near the former Weyerhaeuser Saw Mill (now Dirtfish Rally School) on 396th Dr. SE. The scene with his 1981 Dodge Diplomat passing by the Welcome Sign is found at 41433 SE Reinig Rd. in Snoqualmie. When I visited in January 2020, I stuck my camera out the car window to retrace his drive.
THE LONESOME FOG HORN BLOWS FOR PETE MARTELL
While Special Agent Dale Cooper’s entrance is amazing, I also love Pete Martell’s introduction. Upon hearing a fog horn sound in the distance, he remarks, “The lonesome fog horn blow.”
This scene always reminds me to slow down and enjoy the sounds around me. Pete is also carrying a Stanley thermos from the early 1960s (most likely model 944 which had a cork topper).
I captured a similar vibe in January 2020 when I visited Kiana Lodge in Poulsbo, Washington where these scenes were shot.
You can see more Twin Peaks film locations I visited in Issue 13 of “Blue Rose Magazine.”
REAPPEARING PROPS
I love seeing Sheriff Truman use a Fire King avocado-colored mug and Inland Glass Golden Triangle carafe warmer in the Pilot Episode.
These props reappear in Season 3 at Diane Evans apartment and on Sheriff Frank Truman’s desk.
I also own both replica props in my ever growing replica prop collection.
HIDDEN DAVID LYNCH AND MARK FROST
I love seeing David Lynch’s reflection in windows at both the Twin Peaks Sheriff’s Department and the Packard Sawmill.
We also get a hidden Mark Frost as an uncredited reporter’s voice when Shelly Johnson watches the news.
“WHAT THE HELL?” GUY – CHUCK FORDYCE
“What the hell?” was probably a phrase many viewers had upon seeing Ronette Pulaski crossing the bridge. I don’t know who this actor is but I look forward to his delivery every time. Thanks to Mary Reber who played Alice Tremond in Part 18 of Twin Peaks, I learned this actor’s name is Chuck Fordyce. He was an employe of the Weyerhaeuser sawmill and passed away before the pilot aired on April 8, 1990.
This scene was shot across from the bridge that Ronette walks on, now part of the Snoqualmie Valley Trail. The trestle crossing Reinig Road was removed in the early 1990s. The tracks would have run to the Weyerhaeuser Sawmill at one time.
“SHE’S DEAD, WRAPPED IN PLASTIC.”
I love Jack Nance’s perfect delivery of his line, “She’s dead, wrapped in plastic.” This dialogue doesn’t appear in the original “Northwest Passage” script.
PALMER HOUSE CEILING FAN
I can’t recall a time when a ceiling fan, like the one at the Palmer House, ever captured all my attention. What does it mean?
Seeing the actual fan and Laura Palmer’s bedroom at Mary Reber’s house (the real Mrs. Tremond in Part 18 from Season 3) was a dream come true.
THE BLACK PHONE
I love the long, slow pan down the dropped black telephone at the Great Northern Hotel (Kiana Lodge) after Leland Palmer hears the news about his daughter’s death.
TRAFFIC LIGHT
Similar to the Palmer’s ceiling fan, the scenes with the solitary traffic signal changing colors is mesmerizing. Located at the corner of Bendigo Boulevard and North Bend Way in North Bend, Washington (next to the film location for the Double R Diner), the traffic light was one of the first to be installed in the small town. According to a Snoqualmie Valley Record article from October 12, 1978, the traffic light was first turned on at 3:00 p.m. on July 1, 1965. Prior to its installation, traffic was regulated by a flashing light as the intersection which was a hotspot for accidents.
The light has been replaced since filming but the intersection is still just as wonderful to watch, especially in the middle of the night.
FIRST DAY OF SHOOTING
I love that the first day of shooting on February 21, 1989 took place at the former Mar-T Cafe, now Twede’s Cafe, in North Bend. The Double R Diner is one of the most popular locations used in the series. The restaurant is still there today and they have an online store.
THE PRINT SHOP SIGNS
When the police are looking for Bobby Briggs, they stop by Margaret Honeycutt’s. I love the signs above the photo of President Abraham Lincoln.
As a child of the 1980s, I spent hours creating signs on my Apple IIc computer. Seeing the “Think!” sign with the lightbulb really brings back memories.
GO WILDCATS!
In the series, the mascot of Twin Peaks High School is a Steeplejack. When Principal George Wolchezk (Troy Evans) makes an all-school announcement about Laura we see a nod to the Mt. Si High School mascot – the wildcat.
TROPHY CASE PHOTO
Laura Palmer’s Homecoming Queen photo (which is NOT Sheryl Lee’s actual prom or homecoming photo) from the Twin Peaks High School is used as a background to the end credits in Seasons 1 and 2.
JIM’S FLICKERING LIGHTS
COOPER (to attendant):
Would you leave us, please?
ATTENDANT:
Jim.
COOPER:
Uh… would you leave us alone, please?
ATTENDANT:
Oh. Certainly.
IT’S NOT ABOUT THE BUNNY
Agent Cooper and his small box of chocolate bunnies makes me laugh every time. It’s completely unexpected and the scene cuts to the train car.
DONNA!
“DONNA!”
BOWLER HAT GUY
The bowler hat guy … who is he and why does he wear that hat?
CONCIERGE DESK
The concierge hostess Julie Duvic (who also served as a Location Liaison for the Pilot) and Audrey Horne (Sherilyn Fenn) share a special moment in the Great Northern Hotel lobby.
The spot is still there today at Kiana Lodge, minus the rack of local tourism brochures.
SVEN JORGENSON
“Is something wrong, young, pretty girl?” The late Arnie Stenseth who played Sven Jorgenson, the lead Norwegian businessman.
NICE DAY FOR A PICNIC
Snoqualmie Point Park is the spot where James Hurley hold Laura’s necklace and where Laura and Donna’s picnic scene was filmed. It’s a beautiful view of Snoqualmie Valley.
It’s also the spot where this fantastic photo of David Lynch and Mark Frost was taken.
You can also see the former Weyerhaeuser Saw Mill from this point, which served as the filming locations for the Packard Saw Mill and the Twin Peaks Sheriff’s Department.
CREME DE LEO JOHNSON
Leo Johnson chugs Creme de Menthe … Wait. What??
BIG ED’S COFFEE MUG
The coffee mug at Big Ed’s Gas Farm in the Pilot episode is the same mug Deputy Andy Brennan is holding in Episode 1.001 at the Twin Peaks Sheriff’s Department.
HELP HANDS
Those “Help” hands on Harriet Hayward’s bedroom.
IS THAT WALLY?
Is that Wally Brando at the Roadhouse?!
IN THE WOODS
This entire sequence of James and Donna meeting in the woods at night is spectacular. There is such raw emotion and they were literally freezing when they shot this. The cold air adds so much to this scene.
POLICEMAN’S DREAM
Just how many doughnuts and pastries make up a “Policeman’s dream?” The answer is 52.
JOSIE AND TRUMAN
This surprise twist at the end of the Pilot when I realized Sheriff Truman and Josie Packard were a thing.
Sheriff Truman may think Josie is the “most beautiful woman in the state” but I’m partial to my patient and supportive wife Katie, especially when I dragged her through Olallie State Park during our wedding anniversary trip.
DOOR HANDLES
The door handle to Laura Palmer’s bedroom is STILL THERE!
BROMANCE
Special Agent Dale Cooper (Kyle MacLachlan) and Sheriff Harry S. Truman (Michael Ontkean) have the BEST on-screen chemistry. So many looks.
Finally …
NICE PLACE TO VISIT
“Twin Peaks – a nice place to visit but you wouldn’t want to die there.”
This ABC Promo from 1990 is one of my favorites. Who would have known at the time what a lasting impact 30 years later.
This was a great list!! That fan though, almost hypnotic and so creepy (to me anyway). And James and Donna in the woods, such intense acting. I think it’s time I rewatched the series. So glad I stumbled onto your blog today!!!!