Twin Peaks

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I remember waaaay back we had a discussion about Twin Peaks. Now that I've watched it (it comes on Saturday, 7:00 eastern, on Bravo) I have to say that I like it. It reminds me of The Maxx in some ways.

-- Frostbite (mbkrooks@bellsouth.net), July 15, 2000

Answers

I have the entire series on tape and just finished watching all of them this week, at a rate of about 4 episodes a day (Lynch is my favorite director, along with Chung). You're right, both shows deal with exploring the subconscious and dream-like worlds that explain psychology through unusual imagery and events... This is one reason I love Lynch, he explores that topic so well (and with such great style). I love the whole neo-fifties visual style he dabbles in, and the music he pairs it with. One of my favorite episodes is the one which reveals Laura's killer (I won't ruin it for those who don't know) in which another young woman is killed. The scene at the Roadhouse with Julee Cruise (the singer), Donna getting emotional, mixed with Cooper having a vision and the frightening death scene (I'm amazed they got it on TV, and that my mom let me watch it at age 10), it all combines for a really engaging viewing. Anyway, I suppose I should work this into an Aeon Flux discussion somehow :) I got into Twin Peaks at a really early age, even before I knew about Aeon Flux, but both really attracted me from the first viewing. It's interesting that both of these filmmakers independently attracted me, with Chung being influenced by Lynch and all. Something I value about both shows is how they so "accurately" depict dreams (though that statement in itself is questionable and inaccurate). I found Una's dream sequences to be very representative of my own dreams, the audio especially (the mixing of sounds and voices, speaking incomprehensible dialogues). And I love how Lynch uses dream events to say something about the "real life" of the characters. It's a shame most people see the dancing midget and hear the backwords speech and think, "Oh, he's just being wierd." Anyway, speaking of Lynch, I just bought "Lost Highway" and will be viewing it tonight. I've seen it before, but it was three years ago and without the benefit of my more recent study of film theory, so I'm giving it another go. I'm rambling, sorry, but I could talk on and on about stuff like this. Anyone else want to jump in?

-- Matthew Rebholz (matrebholz@yahoo.com), July 15, 2000.

So far I have seen the first season and a little of the second. The whole mood of the show is very mundane yet humorous yet eerie and sinister. Even if nothing was happening I could sit and enjoy the atmosphere. The stoplight always gives me the creeps for some reason. I hypothesize that it has something to do with Cooper's remark about how "Yellow lights still mean slow down" and the apparent innocence of Twin Peaks. Or maybe it's just there to set the mood. That Cooper is one cool guy. Kinda Mary Sue-ish, actually. Um, what else... oh, yeah, I've heard about who killed Laura but haven't actually seen it yet. I'm sure it will make more sense once I do.

-- Frostbite (mbkrooks@bellsouth.net), July 16, 2000.

I do notice, as time goes by, that our discussions go further and further from Aeon Flux, and much of it is the fault of me. Yet, blasphemous though it may be, I can't really THINK of anything else to talk about, Flux-wise. I get this vague feeling we've just about covered it all, even multiple times.

-- Frostbite (mbkrooks@bellsouth.net), July 16, 2000.

Yeah, I suppose you're right. But that's what makes this board so cool: it's like a coffeehouse where Aeon fans drop by on a regular basis and talk about all sorts of things. Besides, it's much more interesting that way.

"Everybody got to deviate from the norm" - Rush

-- Paul (gilbreathfamily@worldnet.att.net), July 17, 2000.


I agree, it's not a crime to go off on tangents when they're at least somewhat related, and this one certainly is, in my opinion. Speaking of the stoplight- I just realized a sort of Aeon Flux connection there. If you've seen the TP movie, "Fire Walk With Me", there's a scene in which James is on his bike, waiting at the light. He sits there and revs up the bike while the light is green, and when it changes to red, he goes. See the connection? Now what does it mean? Aeon's mantra about the red and green lights, I always saw it as a mental exercise that helps her to take action even when her fear might be begging her not to. In James' case, it seemed like a sign that his world and his relationship with Laura were all going sour, filled with chaos thanks to Laura's bizarre mood swings, and that he simply didn't care anymore about the rules. Speaking of the Twin Peaks movie, I definitely recommend it to any fan of the show. It more closely follows Lynch's directing style, whereas the show often doesn't because of guest directors, plus it is very thick with material begging to be interpreted. It also explores new characters, and some very unusual things happen that I still have no idea how to explain. Has anyone else seen it? What did you think?

-- Matthew Rebholz (matrebholz@yahoo.com), July 17, 2000.


Like a coffeehouse where Aeon fans drop by and talk about all sorts of things, what a cool way of putting it, and sooo true. Frostbite, go on any tangents you want, all are interesting and Mathew, I only find these remarks to give me some new perspective, and knowing your a Flux fan only helps make me more comfortable with your outlook of these things. But actually this weekend was most Fluxy for me, almost too much so. I found myself sort of 'living out' part of an ep, I spent the weekend partly at the side of an indoor jacuzzi, surrounded by mirrors, and stretched out in front of the mirrors naked and admiring my hair,while looking in the mirror, I remarked, "I love my hair, I'm beautiful", and leaned close to myself, I was planning on revenge, for unfaithfulness, of a very minor degree. I turned and watched the ep I had previously started, "A last time for everything" and within minutes saw Aeon by the side of the pool, telling herself she was lovely, I stared in disbelief at similiarity and the chasm of understanding that was suddenly bridged. Oh, well, speaking of tangents, sorry, but it was for me, an incredible experience, nope, I don't feel I've covered it all, and if any of you might dare to say, I'd be interested,what is the personal connection to this show for you?

-- Barb e. (Suesuesbeo@aol.com), July 18, 2000.

I've always identified with Una. Besides her gender, we're both alike in every way that I can see, right down to overall physical appearance and occupation, even her personality (yes, I had a period in my life when I found Aeon to be quite an inspiration, and even tried to emulate her in some respects). So, whenever I watch that episode, I feel it's mirroring my life (or am I mirroring it?). Anyway, I always felt a "personal connection" there, so to speak.

-- Matthew Rebholz (matrebholz@yahoo.com), July 18, 2000.

Lol. I have to say it's not that I AM beautiful, but sometimes I hit a good night. Once a few years ago I saw a small thing on tv that fascinated me, they had done a study on violence in one family, and discovered that violent behavior in that family was actually traced back as far as 500 years, it made me think, how interesting that poor coping mechanisms are taught and passed on for so long. Looking at that ep I was surprised to see my own dysfunctional behavior mirrored in Aeon, and the pool thing was just the added bonus/weirdness of this show. Everyone talks things over with themselves, and loves themselves, here we see decisions within a person to let a part of their self be destroyed, because of the difficulty to go on feeling so much hurt, I've done this, believing I've 'grown' or moved on, or learned. Really, I have only shut some part of myself off. I think it's interesting P.Chung has created a woman like this, how could he know these feelings, isn't he a man? I kind of think of this reaction to the male 'womanizing' as exclusively female. Except for Puccini, (Madame Butterfly), and a few rare other examples. So this is why I wondered who else on this forum saw certain Fluxian behavior as 'their own' and I have a theory maybe we are drawn to this show because we see ourselves in some of the characters. I wonder, who here is who. Matthew, I respect you speaking so candidly, I kind of think it will prove to be cathartic and will 'magically' enable you to advance, in the psyche that is.

-- Barb e. (Suesuesbeo@aol.com), July 20, 2000.

I agree, and thanks! I'm perfectly willing to speak of it. As far as Chung knowing how to write a woman well, It's always been my opinion that all humans, of both genders, experience life and emotion essentially the same. I don't think that gender colors the human condition any more than race or religion or any other cultural aspect, let alone individual quirkiness. I myself often write female characters and have no problem getting into their heads (at least, it doesn't feel that way). I never stop and think, "Okay, now I'm creating a woman. How would a woman react?" Instead, I just draw from my own experience, as I would with any other character, and in the end, I think the character is as believable a woman as any. That's my take on that subject, anyway. Feel free to oppose it verbally here, I'd love to hear what others think. Yes, Una is definitely "who I'd be" in the Flux world. I've spent many nights sitting with pages of foreign writing and putting it off until it's nearly too late. I used to embrace my leather jacket and imagine working with the likes of Aeon (But I've never worn such short shorts, heh).

-- Matthew Rebholz (matrebholz@yahoo.com), July 20, 2000.

What do you mean sitting with pages of foreign writing, are you a translator by employ? Is that what you meant when you said even the same profession? As far as leather jackets go, they always look good, but I much prefer fur.

-- Barbei (Suesuesbeo@aol.com), July 22, 2000.


Yeah, I'm a Hebrew translator, more or less.

-- Matthew Rebholz (matrebholz@yahoo.com), July 22, 2000.

But, like Una, I could use a lot of work in some areas, and don't have much experience in the field :)

-- Matthew Rebholz (matrebholz@yahoo.com), July 22, 2000.

Finally! My Twin Peaks and Aeon Flux are my favorite shows ever... both since their inception... So I am very glad to see people talking about it!

-mike

-- Michael Gehrig (reallyhip@aol.com), July 30, 2000.


I have to agree, they are perhaps my two favorite shows on television.

-- Matthew Rebholz (matrebholz@yahoo.com), July 30, 2000.

Speaking of Hebrew, did you know that Onan means "masturbator"? Rather appropriate.

-- Matthew Rebholz (matrebholz@yahoo.com), July 31, 2000.


Mathew, of course you are the one to get that! Did you ever notice that the name of Tony Perkins character in Psycho is Master Bates?

-- Barb e. (Suesuesbeo@aol.com), July 31, 2000.

Heh... should have realized that. :)

-- Matthew Rebholz (matrebholz@yahoo.com), July 31, 2000.

Well, as Woody Allen once said, "At least it's sex with somebody I love".

-- Barb e. (Suesuesbeo@aol.com), July 31, 2000.

Onan: the man who "spilt his seed on the belly of a whore." As Bill would say, sort of the patron saint of wanking.

-- Frostbite (mbkrooks@bellsouth.net), August 01, 2000.

Ok, Bible discussion time. Just to clear this up, the Bible does NOT forbid wanking. Onan should have been described as "the patron saint of the withdrawal method" or something. And anyway, the Bible doesn't even forbid that (at least not with the whole Onan story). See, God wanted Onan to impregnate whoever, but for some reason he withdrew and "spilled the seed". So God struck him dead. That's it. Not for "wanking" or anything like that. You could say that the Bible forbids wanking because it counts as fornication. But then you've got to be against all kinds of different things.

-- John McDevitt (JuntMonkey@aol.com), August 02, 2000.

Frostbite, earlier you mentioned "The Maxx". It remains one of my favorite TV series ever, and I find it as interesting and as powerful a viewing experience as "Aeon Flux". Beyond being a fan of Sam Kieth's artwork, the atmosphere and themes generated by the show went way beyond what the somewhat cartoonish visual style sometimes suggested. Sara was one character I could really identify with in a way, but for that matter, I could identify with all of them in some way or another. There's something about this show that is unexplainably deep and sacred to my psyche somehow. Both Aeon and the Maxx came on scene during the same summer, back in the good days of MTV, and I became a maniac with the VCR. I came to find that "Aeon Flux" was more of a mind expander for me, while "The Maxx" felt incredibly introverted and felt more like home to me.

-- Matthew Rebholz (matrebholz@yahoo.com), August 09, 2000.

Heh, I just realized another odd connection between Una and me: we both live in apartment #301. Eerie... :)

-- Matthew Rebholz (matrebholz@yahoo.com), August 28, 2000.

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