Twin Peaks (TV Series) The One-Armed Man (1990) User Reviews

The plots continue to thicken

[Tweekums · 9/10 · 3 May 2012]

As the story continues we learn that the strange man in Laura's mother's vision is 'Bob' from Agent Cooper's strange dream; almost simultaneously they learn the whereabouts of the 'One-armed Man'; when they see him though it appears he knows nothing; he does know somebody called Bob but he is in hospital. While preparing to enter the man's room Deputy Brennan drops his pistol causing it to fire; Cooper takes this as a sign that they could all do with some time on the pistol range; apart from Brennan they are all skilled; Cooper however is in a different league; managing to shoot a face onto the target. Later on they hear that the item previously found in Laura's stomach was a poker chip from One Eyed Jacks and that the wounds on Laura's body where probably caused by her being bitten by a myna bird... two clues that point to Jacques Renault. Away from the investigation things are as convoluted as ever; Catherine Martell and Ben Horne conspire to have Leo Johnson burn the mill down; Audrey Horne wants to start her own investigation into Laura's death and Norma Jenning's husband is up for parole.

This was another fine episode where the weirdness took a back seat to the investigation the apparent clues may come slowly but keep the mystery ticking over... although the more I watch the more I suspect that her murder is just a MacGuffin to get us into the various goings on in the town of Twin Peaks; everybody's lives seem to be intertwined and everybody seems to have a secret. This leaves the viewer with multiple plots to juggle; luckily the creators had the skill to keep things slightly confusing without them getting frustrated.

"When you conspire with everyone you come across, you're not really conspiring with anyone. You're just doing random crap."

[TouchTheGarlicProduction · 8/10 · 11 March 2017]

In this episode and the next one, the number of conspiracies that have been revealed around the mill starts to get a little bit excessive, particularly around Benjamin Horne. Is there no character that he isn't double crossing? It all makes sense by the end of the show (if you don't think about it too hard), but looking back at it all, particularly in these early episodes, many of the plots and double crosses do seem far more elaborate than they needed to be. It brings to mind a quote from my favourite episode of Community, which I have put in the tag line of this review.

Aside from these conspiracies, the episode focuses mainly on the Laura Palmer investigation, which finally starts to pick up some steam. This leads to the first extended appearance of the one-armed man, and Cooper's stare down with a llama. Overall, the episode finds a good balance between the exciting new developments and strange details in the Palmer case, even if the plots and conspiracies do start getting a little out of hand.

1x05

[formotog · 7/10 · 4 September 2020]

Good episode. I like the direction they seem to have taken, which is of dreams, shared visions, supernatural stuff of that nature. If I'm honest though, I'm actually not all that bothered in who actually killed Laura. I'm perfectly fine to just watch this strangle little town and the weird souls that inhabit it. Audrey is a great manipulator and I have to say the scene with her and her dad, and many other scenes this episode particularly, was very nicely shot. It was a bit of a slower episode, and there wasn't a whole lot of weird stuff (at least by this show's standards), but various characters are making their moves

High 7

funny, tense, romantic, mysterious, dramatic, weird; classic "Peaks"

[framptonhollis · 10/10 · 22 September 2017]

In the first season, each episode seems to be piling more and more crazy plot twists than the last, and, although this is actually more than halfway through this season, plenty of new characters are continuing to be introduced. There's the first appearance of Hank Jennings whose role has been overshadowed somewhat over time, but he was an essential character in both the latter half of the first season as well as some of the second. Philip Gerard was seen earlier in the Pilot, but only as a mere absurdist visual gag, and his doppelganger was shown in Cooper's cryptic dream in the second episode directed by Lynch, but his character wasn't properly introduced until this episode. All of the scenes with him are great, and I still feel a sense of investment whenever he's on screen, even if I already know, and have known for well over a year now, what eventually is to become of him.

There are also a few other important and iconic scenes scattered throughout the chapter, including light moments like a humorous and profound conversation about love between Cooper, Andy, Hawk, and Sheriff Truman and the classic, if incredibly brief comedic moment between Cooper and a llama, as well as darker moments such as Hank's pleas for a second chance that are soon disproven by a final moment that serves as a massive twist. Conspiracies and unexpected interrelationships plague this episode, making the viewer feel both intrigued and slightly worn out by the end of it. And on top of all this madness is the beginning of a whole new subplot surrounding the beautiful and charming Miss Audrey Horne who desperately attempts to solve the ongoing mystery of Laura Palmer's tragic murder with the hope of winning over Special Agent Dale Cooper. If only her plan had succeeded...

Odd Couples and Odd Events

[Hitchcoc · 9/10 · 2 June 2017]

The girls get together to make plans and investigate what happened to Laura. I'm not sure what Audrey's intentions are, but I'm sure she's up to no good. Bobby finds out about the bloody shirt and he decides he will eliminate Leo. Leo has become a small time drug dealer but the results of his activities are getting a lot of attention. There is also the matter of testimony at a parole hearing and the implications of a return to society. Meanwhile, Cooper is made aware of a secret society that Harry Truman and the rest of the law enforcement guys are involved in. Off the wall and wonderful.

"How is laura? How is Laura?" Ah, Ah, Ah, Ah.... (DVD)

[leplatypus · 10/10 · 7 November 2007]

I choose this specific episode to review Season 1 of Twin Peaks, because it illustrates brilliantly the "twin peaks" of this show:

First, the character of Dale Cooper (and surely, the actor behind, Kyle MacLachlan): As few movies (Spiderman), Twin Peaks makes me feel good, with clear mind, happiness, and joy for life. Being open to Zen spirit (Phil Jackson, Pirsig,...), it's great find to see its teachings practiced in full flesh: Words can be helpful but human is the ultimate experience.

With Dale Cooper, I have a unique character in television: he shows openness towards everyone, enthusiasm for nature, honesty and courage with himself as he feels pain or fear but without being incapacitated. A good example to follow.

Second, the creative writing: The authors had an original vision but haven't really planned all the ramifications. So, they were scripting the details on the moment. And the more they write, the more they could tied themselves unless they could find deeper and deeper meaning to their inspiration. What's powerful in that show is that the two authors were opposite: Frost likes logic, words, whereas Lynch prefers feelings, moods.

So, this episode marks how a Lynch idea (the red room segment) evolves into a Frost one, where every clue of the dream gets his real counterpart: the red drape, always music in the air, ....

One second, i thought bobby was a good person.

[CursedChico · 9/10 · 1 November 2020]

One second, i thought bobby was a good person.

He disvored leo was selling drugs. he will end him but to be with his girlfriend, not because he sels drugs. Not to help laura or other people , in high school for example.

lucy does lots of things. Like a secretary but also cooks, overworks etc. I see first time this kind of abusement :)

Cooper started to love that city and wants to rent a home maybe. They are sweet people. ALl of them have dark sides but cooper is not afraid.

A damn good episode

[lareval · 8/10 · 1 October 2021]

Another great installment, filled with classic moments to overcome a not that rounded episode. But a great, engaging one though. Funny, bizarre, interesting and intriguing.

Suspicions

[AvionPrince16 · 7/10 · 8 April 2022]

The investigations continue and we still wondering who killed Laura Palmer. Leo is suspected and we still have some questions arround laura. The episode was pretty good and have some interesting plot and nice events. Need to see more episodes to understand all the mysteries arround Laura Palmer.