David Lynch's Crazy Magnum Opus Now Online

When I was in junior high I’d rush through my homework on Sunday nights, grab a Little Debbie’s, and plant myself in front of the television for my favorite show, “Twin Peaks.” Yes, it was a weird show. Yes, it was a kooky mystery based around incest and abuse, and yes, it was created and directed by David Lynch who, in many ways, reminds me of a Wal-Mart version of Andy Warhol. But it was a brilliantly quirky series and I am drawn to quirk and kook like the proverbial moth to the flame. (I also still don’t get what the hell happened in “Lost Highway.”)

One late night a few months ago I came across a “Twin Peaks” rerun on Chiller (heretofore known as the best channel ever) and got hooked all over again. “Twin Peaks” ensured Kyle MacLachlan’s fame (pre-“Sex and the City” or “Desperate Housewives.” He dated Linda Evangelista around the time of the series) and introduced Lara Flynn Boyle. The award-winning series was set in a tiny Pacific northwest logging town and was propelled by the mystery of Laura Palmer’s murder. Palmer’s body was found on a river bank, her friend Ronette Pulaski was found wandering aimlessly, violated, on a train track across state lines, quirky FBI Agent Dale Cooper (MacLachlan) was brought in and the game of cat and mouse began. Only David Lynch could turn a depressing murder-mystery into a quasi-comedy by juxtaposing the quaint, innocent, cherry pie American life with its seedy underbelly.

People watch movies like “Star Wars” or “Indiana Jones” as kids and their limited perspective allows for the total suspension of disbelief thus making a film legendary in a their mind. When a kid sees the movie again as an adult – or sees its prequel or sequel – their adult ego is a killjoy. (Those same people will gripe about Hayden “I Talk Like Harry Connick Jr.” Christensen’s performance, yet give a pass to Mark freaking Hamill.)

When I sat and re-watched “Twin Peaks” as an adult some 15 years later I found it as weird as ever. (And realized how much later shows like “X-Files” were influenced by it.) The Log Lady was every bit as kooky and depressing as she was in the 90s; James is still a contradictory greaser/pansy; Laura’s dad is every bit disturbing; all the caricatures of life are still relevant. That being said, I was beyond stoked when I read that you can now watch every “Twin Peaks” episode online over at CBS.com. It’s a series you have to watch from the beginning, every episode, but it’s worth it if only for the jazzy theme music, dancing circus folk, and slew of pop-culture references you’ll learn.