One of the most fascinating panel discussions during the Real Twin Peaks 2024 event was held on Sunday, February 25 at the Pearl and Stone Wine Co. in North Bend, Washington. John Thorne, Co-editor of “Wrapped in Plastic” and author of “Ominous Whoosh: A Wandering Mind Returns to Twin Peaks,” and Josh Eisenstadt, Screenwriter, Director and long-time “Twin Peaks” fan, discussed meaning, symbolism and connections in David Lynch and Mark Frost’s incredible Twin Peaks – Part 8 from The Return in 2017. During their 42-minute conversation John and Josh shared their insights and interpretations about one of the most stunning television episodes ever created.
PEARL & STONE WINE CO. IN NORTH BEND, WA
In September 2021, the Pearl and Stone Wine Co. tasting room opened in the former North Bend City Hall, located at 201 Main Ave. N. in North Bend, Washington. A partnership of three families, deeply rooted in the Snoqualmie Valley, and brought together by three women, the winery was introduced in 2013. Co-owner Paul Ribary is the son of long-time community resident Fritz Ribary who served as North Bend’s mayor from 1988-1992. The Ribary family are descendants of Swedish immigrants who arrived in North Bend in 1917.
During the Real Twin Peaks 2024 event, the tasting room set up a Twin Peaks-inspired photo spot in the former city hall jail inside their tasting room.
DECODING TWIN PEAKS PART 8
The free panel discussion with John and Josh was held on Sunday, February 25 starting at 11:45 a.m. A small group of Twin Peaks fans gathered inside the tasting room to hear insightful observations about the breathtaking episode that first aired on June 25, 2017.
It’s difficult to capture every detail from their conversation so I strongly encourage watching the entire video. I moderated while holding my iPhone to record the conversation. It was great hearing other Twin Peaks fans offer questions and insights that kept the conversation moving.
I highly recommend John’s latest book, “Ominous Whoosh: A Wandering Mind Returns to Twin Peaks.” His insights made me appreciate The Return even more.
During the conversation with Josh, John built upon his chapter about Part 8. He says that this particular episode changed the Twin Peaks viewing experience – “There was Twin Peaks before The Return Part 8, and there was Twin Peaks after. Once Part 8 aired on June 25, 2017, it fundamentally reshaped a decades-old story.”
The show’s mythology was reshaped and expanded and the episode provided a new backstory that makes me see the entire series differently. There hasn’t been another episode quite like it since its first airing.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE CONVERSATION
While there is much to unpack, there were a few highlights, observations and stories that jumped out. It was wonderful hearing from these gentlemen who have loved David Lynch and Mark Frost’s wonderful and strange world for more than three decades.
Look carefully in Henry Spencer’s bedroom from Eraserhead to see an image of the Trinity explosion featured in Part 8.
Josh and John discussed Nine Inch Nails appearance and how “She’s Gone Away” wasn’t the first song offered for this episode. Fangoria published an interview in 2022 with frontman Trent Reznor that describes what happened:
TRENT REZNOR: “We didn’t have a lot of time; it was maybe two, three weeks until [filming]. We were working on a piece that – and I haven’t told anyone this – ultimately became the music for “This Isn’t The Place,” incorrectly thinking that he’d want something that was more … y’know, I was picturing Julee Cruise, something that was a bit more broken down or open and David Lynch-ish.
But when we turned the track in, he was comfortable enough with me to write or call me back and say, ‘Y’know, I’m looking for something a little less … this just isn’t what I want. I want something that feels menacing and unpleasant.’ I think probably most of the people that were called [about performing in the Roadhouse] had the same thought we did, to go a little more Badalamenti-ish, something you’d expect to be playing in there.
So in about another day, we quickly turned around ‘She’s Gone Away’ and immediately got the response of, ‘Thank you, yes, this is exactly what I was looking for! Appreciate the extra effort!’
John’s favorite parts from this episode are with the boy and girl, played by Xolo Mariduena and Tikaeni Faircrest respectively. John thought the moment where the girl picks up the penny was when everything changed.
The Woodsman descended after the girl picked up the penny which John equated to Laura and others picking up the Owl Cave ring.
For Josh, he loved the innocence of the girl sitting in her room after the shared kiss from the boy.
There was a long discussion around the story of The Fireman and Señorita Dido and how they play into the overall story. John references Hindu theology and writings from the Bhagavad Gita and Upanishads.
One of those lines from the Upanishads comes from Gordon Cole’s “Monica Bellucci dream.” While researching this specific line – “We are like the dreamer …” – I found a tweet from David Lynch from February 10, 2009!
It was a joy spending time with Josh Eisenstadt throughout the Real Twin Peaks 2024 event. His knowledge about my favorite show is incredible. Hearing his thoughts about Part 8 made me want to watch the episode again.
In the 1990s, I wrote to John Thorne and the late Craig Miller when they were publishing their phenomenal “Wrapped in Plastic.” I never thought then that I would still be connected to such a wonderful human.
Thank you John and Josh for your insights, and thank you to Pearl and Stone Wine Co. for hosting this discussion.
