Fans worldwide nearly begged David Lynch on their knees to finally release the second season of his cult hit show Twin Peaks. The first season, released on DVD in 2001, ended with the shooting of agent Dale Cooper. Copyright issues and other legal mumbo-jumbo caused the six year delay. It is so much fun to finally see the second season of what many perceive to be the best TV show ever on DVD. Last October, when I was in New York City at a special screening of INLAND EMPIRE in attendance of the director he announced the second season and the fact they were rounding up the extras and featurettes (that eventuallty turn out rather disappointing). Warning: some minor spoilers ahead.

With the waiting finally being over, I was eager so relive the Twin Peaks experience. The quality of the image is amazing. There is nothing, really, that reveals this is a show that is more than fifteen years old. The quality of the episodes recedes after the murderer of Laura Palmer is exposed (episode 15/16), with a direction that is way more abstract and intangible. Lynch admirers, however, will probably love this, since the final episode is rather exciting and leaves you salivating for more. All episodes cover a time span of one day, resulting in Cooper solving the murder mystery in a mere two weeks. The episodes directed by Lynch himself really stand out in weirdness and wonderful imagery.

Several storylines are much more daring and strange than in the first season. The who-shot-Laura-virus that infected many fans had already come to a climax when the second season aired in September 1990. The pivotal character of Bob is much more present in this second season and so are funny supporting characters, such as the Japanese businessman Tojamura and the guest role for David Lynch himself as the deaf FBI chief Gordon Cole. Then there are dwarfs, giants and an agoraphobic orchid aficionado, to name but a few.

Unfortunately, the lay-out and the DVD menus aren’t as exquisite as they were for the first season. To be honest, it looks like the episodes were simply smashed on a bunch of DVD’s and it is hard to understand why they didn’t continue this six disc boxset with a similar layout. Also a disappointment is the lack of extras on the first couple of discs. The first season had the intros by the Log Lady that were aired in the US prior to the show. Although this second season originally had these intros, the first three discs don’t have these esoterical extras (at least that goes for the European release).

It is a true delight to be able to finally see the second season of Twin Peaks and see who things turn out. I envy those who are still new to the world of Twin Peaks. And let’s face it: without Twin Peaks there would be no Carnivàle, Desperate Housewives or The X-Files. So get your damn fine coffee and cherry pie and enjoy!

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