Every great TV show has a few episodes that transcends the series itself - episodes that are quintessential, not only to the show's plot, but to illustrating what makes the show click. These episodes are what comes to mind whenever you think about the show, even long after you've finished it.
There have been many of these episodes across television history. Take Breaking Bad's "Ozymandias" or "Faceoff", The Wire's "-30-" or "Middle Ground", Mash's "Goodbye, Farewell and Amen", South Park's "Scott Tenorman Must Die", The Office's "Stress Relief" and "Casino Night", Game of Throne's "The Battle" etc etc etc. Twin Peak's "Beyond Life and Death" could very well be put on this list. However, in my eyes, one episode stands above the rest: Twin Peak's "Lonely Souls"
This episode is (almost) without a doubt the quintessential Twin Peaks episode. For starters, it is the perfect blend between the show's domineering styles. Just like the entirety of the seires, the episode is surreal, mysterious, suspenseful, and tragic. It even manages to throw some humor in the mix, really demonstrating the show in its genre-bending glory. Furthermore, the atmosphere of Twin Peaks is certainly one of its best qualities, and "Lonely Souls" really shows off the just how haunting, ominous, and dreamy / nightmarish the show's atmosphere could be. This is aided by David Lynch's fabulous camera movements and shots (the log lady walking into the police department and the Roadhouses' sign illuminated in the puddle of mud are among the the show's most iconic shots), and its music. Julee Cruise' unforgettable appearance in this episode does not at all feel like an attempt from Lynch to promote his music, as it perfectly helps in instilling the episode's emotions in the audience, as well as allowing us to completely sink into the atmosphere. "The World Spins" is the perfect choice to close the episode too, as it compliments the theme of the cycle of abuse and trauma that the episode so fervently demonstrates.
Other than perfectly illustrating what makes the show so fantastic throughout, the main reason why the episode is perhaps the greatest in television history is the rich emotions. A growing sense of dread and grief is introduced from the very start, as we learn of a troubling suicide. After giving the audience a small break from the dread with the Bobby and Nadine subplots, we are swung head-first back into the suspense and horror. The episode is unbelievably impressive in how it somehow makes the audience vaguely feel as if something horrible is about to happen, matching the exact emotion the characters themselves feel.
When the horrid moment that we sub-consciously feared does transpire, it is truly one of the most shocking and disturbing reveals I have ever seen. The first time I watched the episode, my mouth stood wide agape as I realized my emotions had been ingeniously manipulated throughout the entire series just for this moment to appear all the more horrifying and discomforting. The scene in question isn't even that graphic to today's standards, yet it feels more horrifically disturbing, soul-crushing, and brutal than most anything you'll see on TV. This is due to the tragedy that the scene is seeped in, as we realize that the horrible and painful cycle will continue, despite all the characters had done to try to prevent it.
The closing moments of the episode are especially heart-rending and beautiful, as we see the grief of the event wash over the character's subconscious.
No episode has ever touched me so deeply. It's a tear-jerking episode that sends chills up and down my spine seemingly every other second. It's the most powerful, goosebump-inducing, and, most of all, haunting episode I have ever seen.
10 / 10.
There have been many of these episodes across television history. Take Breaking Bad's "Ozymandias" or "Faceoff", The Wire's "-30-" or "Middle Ground", Mash's "Goodbye, Farewell and Amen", South Park's "Scott Tenorman Must Die", The Office's "Stress Relief" and "Casino Night", Game of Throne's "The Battle" etc etc etc. Twin Peak's "Beyond Life and Death" could very well be put on this list. However, in my eyes, one episode stands above the rest: Twin Peak's "Lonely Souls"
This episode is (almost) without a doubt the quintessential Twin Peaks episode. For starters, it is the perfect blend between the show's domineering styles. Just like the entirety of the seires, the episode is surreal, mysterious, suspenseful, and tragic. It even manages to throw some humor in the mix, really demonstrating the show in its genre-bending glory. Furthermore, the atmosphere of Twin Peaks is certainly one of its best qualities, and "Lonely Souls" really shows off the just how haunting, ominous, and dreamy / nightmarish the show's atmosphere could be. This is aided by David Lynch's fabulous camera movements and shots (the log lady walking into the police department and the Roadhouses' sign illuminated in the puddle of mud are among the the show's most iconic shots), and its music. Julee Cruise' unforgettable appearance in this episode does not at all feel like an attempt from Lynch to promote his music, as it perfectly helps in instilling the episode's emotions in the audience, as well as allowing us to completely sink into the atmosphere. "The World Spins" is the perfect choice to close the episode too, as it compliments the theme of the cycle of abuse and trauma that the episode so fervently demonstrates.
Other than perfectly illustrating what makes the show so fantastic throughout, the main reason why the episode is perhaps the greatest in television history is the rich emotions. A growing sense of dread and grief is introduced from the very start, as we learn of a troubling suicide. After giving the audience a small break from the dread with the Bobby and Nadine subplots, we are swung head-first back into the suspense and horror. The episode is unbelievably impressive in how it somehow makes the audience vaguely feel as if something horrible is about to happen, matching the exact emotion the characters themselves feel.
When the horrid moment that we sub-consciously feared does transpire, it is truly one of the most shocking and disturbing reveals I have ever seen. The first time I watched the episode, my mouth stood wide agape as I realized my emotions had been ingeniously manipulated throughout the entire series just for this moment to appear all the more horrifying and discomforting. The scene in question isn't even that graphic to today's standards, yet it feels more horrifically disturbing, soul-crushing, and brutal than most anything you'll see on TV. This is due to the tragedy that the scene is seeped in, as we realize that the horrible and painful cycle will continue, despite all the characters had done to try to prevent it.
The closing moments of the episode are especially heart-rending and beautiful, as we see the grief of the event wash over the character's subconscious.
No episode has ever touched me so deeply. It's a tear-jerking episode that sends chills up and down my spine seemingly every other second. It's the most powerful, goosebump-inducing, and, most of all, haunting episode I have ever seen.
10 / 10.