Ep 14. The Return, Part 14

Co-created by director David Lynch and writer Mark Frost, Twin Peaks: The Return season 1 episode 14 entitled "The Return, Part 14" brought viewers back into the strange world of the small town of Twin Peaks, Washington.

As the overall plot of the season continued to unravel, this episode in particular focused on several key characters and subplots. FBI agent Dale Cooper (played by Kyle MacLachlan) continued to make his way back to Twin Peaks after being trapped within an alternate dimension known as the Black Lodge for twenty-five years. Meanwhile, in the town itself, a group of new characters appeared, including a young boy named Johnny Horne and a woman named Tina who desperately seeks out someone by the name of Billy.

The episode begins with a striking image: shots of electrical lines and poles strung across a dark and moody sky. These visuals accompany a conversation between Sheriff Frank Truman (Robert Forster) and his wife Doris (Candy Clark), who is distraught and angry over a family situation that has not yet been fully explained. Truman listens patiently as his wife berates him for not being present when she needed him, and the scene ends with Truman alone in a dimly lit hallway, pondering his responsibilities as both a law enforcement officer and a husband.

From there, the episode jumps to a different location entirely: a forest clearing where a group of young men gather around a car that they seem intent on stealing. One of them, identified as "Freddie" (Jake Wardle), explains that his peculiar green glove gives him superhuman strength, and proceeds to use it to smash a bag of walnuts as proof. Of course, this being Twin Peaks, the bizarre behavior is simply par for the course.

Further into the episode, viewers revisit the character of Audrey Horne (Sherilyn Fenn), who finally makes a proper appearance at the Roadhouse bar following weeks of hints and teasers. Audrey, once a key player in the original Twin Peaks series, has been mysteriously absent throughout much of the revival. Her appearance at the Roadhouse, however, raises more questions than it answers. Is she a mental patient? Is she trapped in a dreamlike state? Or is something even stranger afoot?

Amidst the many strange and often cryptic happenings in Twin Peaks, viewers are also treated to moments of unexpected tenderness. The episode features a scene where Nadine Hurley (Wendy Robie), formerly a kooky and abrasive character, expresses deep love and compassion towards her former husband, Big Ed (Everett McGill). The pair discuss their past together and the heartache that has kept them apart, and their emotional connection is palpable.

Despite these quieter moments, the episode also includes several scenes of graphic violence and gore, as well as hints towards darker, more sinister forces at work. The character of Richard Horne (Eamon Farren), a drug-addled and sociopathic young man, continues his dangerous and unpredictable behaviors, leading to a confrontation that leaves viewers breathless. As always, the ominous tone and sense of creeping dread that pervades the series leaves audiences on edge, wondering what will happen next.

In summary, Twin Peaks: The Return season 1 episode 14 entitled "The Return, Part 14" is a mind-bending and surreal trip into the world of Twin Peaks. Fans of the original series will find much to appreciate in the iconic characters and familiar settings, while newcomers may find themselves puzzling over the many strange and inexplicable happenings. With its mix of humor, horror, and heartfelt emotion, the episode presents a compelling snapshot of this unique and unforgettable TV series.