#let her commit arson it's what Mike should have done in the first place

[deadpuppetboi]

This is what I expect the ending to be like in the movie-

[greygamer]

TP Countdown Day 19: Laura’s Secret Diary

“She’s full of secrets,” said the little man from another place way back in the third episode of the first season. It’s hard to be sure who he was talking about -- whether the girl in the dream who was his cousin, who looked almost exactly like Laura Palmer, or Laura Palmer herself -- but it would certainly be fair to apply that description to Laura. Even this far into the investigation of her murder, she continues to keep secrets. 

She’s got some help keeping this newest secret, a second diary -- a secret diary! -- that no one knew about and is currently in the possession of Harold “Creepy” Smith. He seems pretty proud of this fact when he pulls it out and shows it off to Donna during one of their visits. Donna seems to think they should bring it to the police, but Harold dismisses the idea and instead reads a racy portion of the diary to Donna. Way to get the ladies, Harold.

Donna is still convinced that the diary should go to the police, or, at the very least, should go to Donna, so she reaches out to Maddie for help, which is a pretty weird situation, because she’s clearly still pretty pissed at Maddie for looking like she’s been hooking up with James. But I guess when you have a narrow circle of people you trust, it affects who you can turn to for help. Donna vows to get the diary back with or without her help. And to be honest, the only reason I’m rooting for her success is that I’m kind of curious to see what’s in the diary myself.

But it’s not just Laura keeping secrets in this episode. Oh hell no.

Josie’s story begin to expand and we find out that there may be more to her than we first thought. Turns out the creepy asian dude who’s been hanging around for a few episodes (and who totally spied on Josie and Truman making out! -- is her cousin. Or at least tells Pete that he’s her cousin. Apparently someone named Eckhardt wants them back in Hong Kong for some reason. Mysteries!

Also, a mysterious food critic named M.T. Wentz is coming to Twin Peaks and everyone’s losing their shit hoping to be able to get a good review.  But no one knows who he is or what he looks like. A few candidates arrive, but as of yet no one as figured out who he is, though Hank has decked out the Double-R in tablecloths, flowers, and candles, so that’s got to count for something.

Speaking of the diner, the final scene of the episode makes it look at Hank and Norma -- or maybe just Hank? -- is living in the Double-R. I guess there could be an apartment up stairs or something, but it seems weird to answer the door fo the diner when it’s closed. I guess that’s just the kind of good customer service that’s important to parolee Hank.

In other news, we’re reminded that the police are looking for the one armed man, who I’ve been calling Mike Gerard during this whole recap when in fact his name is Phillip Gerard, and his middle name is Mike, so, oops. Also, this reminder is kind of awkward and forced with Cooper seeing Andy’s boots are the same brand they found at Leo’s place, and where did he get them? From Gerard! See, there was a clue at Leo’s place! Which was, uh, boots? I don’t know, I figured Coop still wanted to talk to him about the whole “Without chemicals he points,” thing, but I guess they needed another reason.

Audrey is still being held against her will in Canada, and still presumably being occasionally filled up with heroin. That can’t be good for her. Jean Renault, though, wants to make sure she has a nice time, and when he gets word that Emory has been roughing her up, he takes Emory out. Like, with a bullet. Jean visits Ben Horne and tells him what it’ll take to get his daughter back -- money, cutting Jean in as a partner at One Eyed Jacks, and for Coop to be the one delivering the ransom. So he can kill Coop, of course. He doesn’t mention this to Ben though. What Ben doesn’t know won’t hurt him, right? Cooper agrees to take the ransom and by the episode’s end he ready to work with the finest Bookhouse Boy available to get the deed done. Of course Sheriff Truman steps up to the plate, because who else is gonna have Coop’s back.

And let’s close things off with the first thing that happened this episode -- Leland’s confession to the murder of Jacques Renault. It’s a pretty heartbreaking scene, with Leland talking about an emptiness that extends beyond just grief, and how he was lashing out from that place. It’s a compelling scene, and it’s one that I think manages to work even given what we’ll find out about Leland in another few episodes. Everyone seems especially broken up about what Leland has done, and in seeing a good man turned bad by tragedy. Judge Sternwood, himself a perfect addition to the quirky cast of Twin Peaks has kind words for Leland even as he acknowledges the man’s crime.

That’s one of the little joys of a place like Twin Peaks. It’s a town where even after committing the most horrible of crimes, you can still be treated with kindness and respect. People can see through the act to the person inside. Maybe it’s best summed up by this exchange between Judge Sternwood and Cooper.

Judge Clinton Sternwood: [meeting Cooper for the first time] Mr. Cooper, how do you find our little corner of this world?

Special Agent Dale Cooper: Heaven, sir.

Judge Clinton Sternwood: Well, this week, heaven includes arson, multiple homicides, and an attempt on the life of a federal agent.

Special Agent Dale Cooper: Heaven is a large and interesting place, sir.

It certainly is, Coop. It certainly is.