After a 25 year hiatus, we return to the Palmer House in Twin Peaks – Season 3 on Showtime. The crew returned to the original home used both in the Pilot Episode and David Lynch’s 1992 film, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me. The establishing shots of the Palmer house in Seasons 1 and 2 were of a home in Monroe, Washington. This Setting the Stage article examines all of the times the exterior of the Palmer home is seen in the third season.
WHERE IS THE PALMER HOUSE LOCATED?
In the small town of Twin Peaks, the Palmer family lived at the corner of Frost Avenue and Northwestern Street (number 6 on the map above from the “Twin Peaks Access Guide to the Town”).
In reality, the house is located at 708 33rd Street in Everett, Washington. The approximate coordinates are 47°58’25.3″N 122°13’14.4″W.
If you are interested in taking a tour of this location, please check out VisitPalmerHouse.com. Mary Reber (Mrs. Tremond in Twin Peaks Part 18) owns the house and has created a variety of tour packages showcasing this historic Everett, Washington home.
Please remember this is a private residence, so please be respectful if you are in the area. This reminder includes anyone who wants to scream at the house while standing on the street – yes, it happens. Don’t be that person.
SEASON 3 – PART 2
On May 21, 2017, we return to the Palmer House in Twin Peaks Part 2 on Showtime. This nighttime establishing shot cuts to Sarah Palmer watching television in her living room.
SEASON 3 – PART 11
The next appearance of the Palmer House is from Part 11 on Showtime. Deputy Hawk is seen driving up to the home to do a wellness check on Sarah Palmer.
Deputy Hawk parks in front of the home and walks up to the main entrance.
Part 11 offered one of the more unique shots of the Palmer House – a glimpse of the iconic ceiling fan as seen through a what would have been Laura Palmer’s bedroom window.
You can see part of the built-in bookshelf that’s found inside Laura Palmer’s bedroom.
In the behind the scenes short, “The Man with the Gray Elevated Hair,” by Jason S., we catch a glimpse of how the crew lit the fan to capture the shot.
Hawk arrives on the front porch and we get a great view of 33rd Street and a neighbor’s house across the street.
Sarah Palmer and Deputy Hawk have a lengthy exchange which cuts between views of the front door and the front porch.
The scene ends with Deputy Hawk standing at closed front door.
SEASON 3 – PART 13
Part 13 uses the same nighttime establishing shot from Part 2.
SEASON 3 – PART 17
In Part 17, the Palmer house is briefly projected on the screen inside the Fireman’s house.
SEASON 3 – PART 18
Part 18 on Showtime contains an extended nighttime scene at the Everett house.
Cooper/Richard arrives with Carrie Page from their long drive to Twin Peaks from Odessa, Texas.
They both exit the car and stare up at the Palmer house with lights on in nearly every room.
Joining hands, they slowly approach the front door of the Palmer house.
Cooper/Richard knocks a few times before the door opens.
Alice Tremond answers the door. Following an exchange about the Palmers and previous owners of the home, Cooper/Richard and Carrie Page depart.
WHAT YEAR IS THIS?
Standing on the street, Carrie and Cooper/Richard look up again at the Palmer House.
Cooper/Richard takes a step forward realizing something isn’t quite correct.
After Cooper/Richard asks, “What year is this?”, Carrie Page is seen staring at the home.
Another shot of the Palmer House which is the same one from earlier in this scene.
Carrie Page screams which startles Cooper/Richard and knocks the lights out in the Palmer House with a flash.
And just like that, this Setting the Stage article is complete.