One thing I love about Twin Peaks is meeting fans from around the world. Today I’m turning the spotlight on Simon O’ Connor, a fan from Ireland who manages The Plaid of Twin Peaks. This Instagram account documents every instance of plaid seen in this wonderful and strange show. Considering I’m a big fan of this staple attire in the Pacific Northwest, I contacted Simon to learn more about his interests.
INTRODUCING SIMON
Twin Peaks Blog: How did you discover Twin Peaks?
Simon: “I was introduced to Twin Peaks by my older brother and became enamoured with the show immediately. The sentimentality of the pilot and mystery within the next few episodes hooked me right away and I’ve been a fan ever since.”
TPB: When did your interest in the plaid of Twin Peaks begin?
Simon: “It was on a rewatch a few years ago I was struck by how much plaid was featured in the show. At first seemingly just to be realistic costuming for denizens of a rural community like Twin Peaks, I soon came to see it as to represent the “soul” of the town and the show. Certain characters like Pete Martell fly their local colours with pride, while outsiders or characters that flout the morality of the community rarely wear it.”
TPB: Do you have a favorite plaid from the show?
Simon: “My favourite plaid appearance might be Dale Cooper’s underwear, implying that beneath his government issued garments he is pure of heart and a great fit for the local community spirit.”
“When he’s stripped of his badge in Season 2 and soon thereafter deputised, it’s nice to see him wearing more and more plaid. He wears even more when he begins a relationship with Annie Blackburn which I feel is also quite telling.”
DOCUMENTING THE PLAID
TPB: How do you find all of this great plaid?
Simon: “When I capture images from the show, I like to hunt for plaid in the background that I may have missed on a previous viewing, to expand my collection. I initially did The Plaid of Twin Peaks as a Tumblr blog and completed the series in DVD form.”
I was doing the same on Twitter, but didn’t make it all the way through. The platform didn’t lend itself to posting a gallery as well as Instagram did, which I started in November 2018 after a hiatus.”
TPB: What’s next for The Plaid of Twin Peaks?
Simon: “My dream and goal would be to produce a coffee table book with the show’s beautiful photography reproduced in high quality, to allow fellow fans to pore through the plaid at their leisure.”
“The cinematography has a very classical look and well thought out framing that I feel lends itself to still photography, and it’s always rewarding to get the perfect frame for posting in The Plaid of Twin Peaks.”
I WILL ASK YOU THREE QUESTIONS
Since this is is my first fan spotlight, I was curious about Simon’s thoughts on three things.
TPB: The Roadhouse or Bang Bang Bar?
Simon: “I think it’s called the Roadhouse, with a neon sign saying Bang Bang, but maybe Roadhouse is just a nickname.”
TPB: Which Donna Hayward – Lara Flynn Boyle or Moira Kelly?
Simon: “I was quite surprised to see Donna recast in Twin Peaks – Fire Walk With Me, so it’ll always be Lara Flynn Boyle in my eyes.”
TPB: Which Twin Peaks character do you identify with the most?
Simon: “I think the character I identify most with is Deputy Hawk: he’s loyal, has firm morals and relies on wisdom and folklore to guide him; sometimes I think I might be more of a Harold Smith however…”
FINAL THOUGHTS
TPB: Any final thoughts?
Simon: “The Twin Peaks fan community must be one of the most enthusiastic and inviting fandoms out there, I think the show’s philosophy resounds with a certain type of person. Stay safe.”
You can follow Simon’s work on Instagram – @ThePlaidOfTwinPeaks – and his personal account on Instagram – @Simontmoconnor. His original Tumblr Blog is still around too.
Thank you Simon for sharing your story!
