Reflections: An Oral History of Twin Peaks

As interest in Twin Peaks hits arguably its highest point since 1990 (when the show first aired), the well-timed release of Brad Dukes' oral history provides fans, new and old, with a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at how the magic was created 25 years ago...and perhaps even more fascinatingly, how it dissipated. Dukes himself watched the show as a 9-year-old and is obviously still obsessed with the series a quarter-century down the line, so he brings an enthusiasm and knowledge to the project which informs both the breadth and depth of the book. Interviewing almost everyone involved with the show, from co-creator Mark Frost on down, Dukes weaves a spellbinding tapestry embracing everything from the nitty-gritty of recording technique in composer Angelo Badalamenti's New York studio to the fast-paced Hollywood packaging of the show for nervous executives to the ineffable magic David Lynch evoked with his hardy band of fellow travelers/co-conspirators on location in Seattle.The book's greatest strength is its ability to structure all of this material as something not only coherent, but narrative: we move from the heady early days of Twin Peaks' breakneck first season and unexpected smash success to the troubled and still contentious drama behind season two, which failed to sustain the show's audience and resulted in the show's cancellation. At times assembling the various anecdotes to coalesce into a firm picture, at others allowing them to contradict one another as various participants recall circumstances in different fashion, Reflections creates just what its title suggests - an alluring yet fleeting examination of the rise and fall of a phenomenon. In all of this, Dukes casts a sensitive and sympathetic eye on the many elements of this wildly diverse show - exploring each character and storyline in turn. While I (like many) am not a big fan of the second half of season two (after the killer is revealed), I was nonetheless absorbed and even touched reading about the actors' excited explorations of their characters. At the same time, the actors and creators themselves don't hide their disappointment with the turn of events, even as they're not quite able to explain them. Turns out that in the eye of the storm, participants had even less of an idea what was going wrong than those on the outside. Reflections does not offer a grand reveal of what precisely killed Twin Peaks, only more clues.Among the areas Dukes is able to explore more in-depth than I (at least) have seen before: the involvement of various writers and directors, most fascinatingly the contentious and autocratic presence of German director Uli Edel (whom Russ Tamblyn hated working for), the eccentric touch of Diane Keaton, and the disastrous blood-covered script submitted by heroin-addicted Jerry Stahl; the loving detail lavished on Badalamenti's scoring, with due attention paid to his numerous and usually-overlooked collaborators in the studio; Kyle MacLachlan's always-controversial decision to nix Cooper's romance with Audrey (supposedly because his girlfriend Lara Flynn Boyle was jealous of her attention), which is fleshed-out but not solidified - although Sherilyn Fenn entertainingly harbors no doubts about what went down; Harley Peyton's increased involvement with the series to the point where he was basically running it while Mark Frost and David Lynch were off working on other projects, leading to some pointed confrontations with Lynch in particular; the personalities of various actors shining through in new and unforeseen ways - veteran actor Michael Parks gets some hilarious anecdotes about his confrontation with "gal director" Lesli Linka Glatter (who seems to take his condescension in stride), and Michael Ontkean surprises us as a more offbeat, soulful fellow (with a penchant to refer to himself in the third person) than we might suspect from his performance as the stable, easygoing Sheriff Truman.The most prominent figure Dukes was unable to interview is David Lynch, co-creator of the series and the most famous name attached to it. This is unsurprising - as Lynch is often loath to discuss his work - and also less unfortunate than it might seem, for that very reason: it's impossible to imagine the director letting down his guard enough to offer Dukes new information, or expose his reasons for apparently abandoning the series when it was at its most troubled (he would later return, but it was too late). That said, the absence of Lynch does create a bit of a void when it comes to his side of the story, compounded by the fact that his eventual ally Robert Engels (one of the show's head writers, who eventually joined Lynch in creating the prequel film after the series was cancelled) doesn't have nearly as much to say as Harley Peyton, another head writer and eventually the show's executive producer. Peyton butted heads with Lynch in season two and says frankly, "We didn't get along." The result is that Lynch comes off as rather enigmatic and even erratic, while Frost and Peyton appear more sympathetic.This relates to another subtle preference on Dukes' part - he doesn't seem to consider Laura Palmer's character the key to Twin Peaks, except inasmuch as her murder mystery fuels the show's exploration of other stories and characters. This perspective is both (mostly) good and (somewhat) bad as far as the book is concerned. As already noted, Dukes' wideranging love of the show allows him to explore every facet with equal respect and curiosity, picking up on tidbits others might neglect. Twin Peaks was, after all, an entire world, populated with more characters than several other shows combined, a potpourri of different tones and themes and stories. Dukes delights in this and his delight is contagious. And yet by overlooking the centrality of Laura's evolution from object to subject (particularly important to Lynch, changing not just the tone of the show but the nature of his own film work), Dukes misses the role it plays in the series' declining popularity and thematic confusion. To be fair, he notices the importance of the show's reveal narratively (if not thematically) and to his credit the section devoted to the second murder which reveals the killer offers much insight into the unsettling subtext of Twin Peaks and the reactions this engenders (one technician turned to Lynch after running the footage and said, "I hate you!"). And it closes with a compelling and provocative quote from Sheryl Lee which brings home precisely why Twin Peaks remains troubling as well as alluring two decades later.But after this point, with Lynch's absence largely unaccounted for, the fallout between him and Frost outlined only vaguely, and the development of the prequel film given short shrift, we lose sight of precisely WHY Lynch was alienated from the show and felt compelled to devote an entire movie to the character he'd become obsessed with. Dukes has stated elsewhere that he doesn't like Fire Walk With Me, and that he wanted the book to focus on the series which is fine. However, his brief presentation of the film as variously a disappointment, mistake, and afterthought is unfair and imbalanced - lacking any perspective from participants like Sheryl Lee, Ray Wise, and Robert Engels, who consider it their best work and the climax of the Peaks experience (as does, quite emphatically, David Lynch). This disinterest in the centrality of Laura's mystery, or perhaps a lack of information, means also that the importance of that mystery is underplayed in early chapters. Frost is frequently on record saying he and Lynch knew the perpetrator very early on, but you won't find that assertion anywhere in Reflections; on the contrary, numerous participants openly speculate that Lynch and Frost were making it up as they went along, having no master plan beyond the season one cliffhanger. This serves to undercut the notion that Laura's story matters (aside from being a MacGuffin) and overlooks its role in the series' shifting fortunes. Notably, audience and critics abandoned the show not after the reveal or subsequent decline, as many in the book imply, but rather after the slowly-paced and darkly-toned season two premiere which indicated the show's new direction under Lynch's heavier involvement. Anyway, despite my frustration with this oversight, it remains a minor quibble, mostly balanced by the insight the book offers into various corners of the Twin Peaks universe.Ultimately, Reflections is not about the exact secrets of Twin Peaks' creation and wild ride, but about the texture of this once-in-a-lifetime experience, something Dukes captures beautifully. You won't find a book better at evoking all the moods of Twin Peaks or offering more insight into the nuts and bolts of how the magic was conjured. It's something I'm sure I'll return to in future years, the same way I return to the series itself. By allowing the participants to tell their own story, Dukes doesn't just relay facts but their flavor. And it's as tasty as - pardon the expression - a slice of cherry pie.4.5 stars - Highly recommended for fans of the series and with caution for the simply curious - Dukes carefully and chronologically unveils spoilers, but you should still tread lightly (or just watch the show first).

First of all, I loved the book. It was fun to read and even for a Twin Peaks obsessive like me, there was a lot of new information in it I didn't know. But in the 2 pages designated for Fire Walk With Me (fair enough, the book is strictly about the television show), only negative comments are chosen to discuss the film. This was disappointing, as it's one of my favorite films. Surely people like Sheryl Lee and others have a lot of great and fascinating things to say about the film, but he only chose a handful of people saying negative things about it. It's even more strange because you have a chapter of praise for the final Twin Peaks episode, but then Fire Walk With Me, which is extremely similar to that final episode in a lot of ways, is basically dismissed. I wish there was some balance and some positive comments about the film were included in its brief section. This is a minor criticism, because the rest of the book was really fun and interesting.

Twin Peaks is a special part of television history and this book does a tremendous job of getting first hand accounts of many aspects of the show. While it sadly lacks material from David Lynch, just about every other major player in the show provided detailed interview material. Clearly, the author has put a ton of effort into this and it will surely be the definitive book about Twin Peaks, the TV series (there is very little material concerning the follow up movie, "Fire Walk With Me").I found that reading the book was much like watching the show for me. The first half of the book that covers the genesis of the show through the end of season one was fantastic and totally drew me in. As the book covered later episodes in season two, much of my interest waned. Just like the series finale, this book finished quite strongly.Twin Peaks is one of my all time favorite TV shows. I can never get enough of it. I am grateful to have this fantastic book to reveal so many secrets of what went into making the show.

Does what it says on the cover! As I'm going through a feverish Twin Peaks fanning period for the third time in twenty years it's been amazing to find this kind of wonderful information on the show out there. It certainly wasn't last time I watched the show, and it's fascinating to get a peek at how the magic happened (and, some would argue, fell apart).This book has bits of recollections from all the major players except for Lynch himself - and a bunch of minor players, too. The structure follows the series chronology, up to the finale and the show's legacy. It was written before the third season was announced, so it's extra interesting reading it in a moment where Twin Peaks lies in the future as well as the past.

Imagine you are in a room with the entire extended family of "Twin Peaks." There are pies and donuts and, of course, coffee. The discussion's lively. As you listen a story starts to form. The story of "Twin Peaks." Each person--from network executive to the Log Lady--chimes in at just the right moment with a personal anecdote that, somehow after all these years, illuminates the show's history in new and exciting ways.That's what Brad Dukes has done. He nestles you amongst cast and crew as he weaves the show's story from beginning to end. Somehow Dukes has compiled and edited countless interviews into what seems to be one amazing conversation. It's an impressive feat, weaving all these various voices into one cohesive whole. Even Frank Silva--who passed away in '95--is included in a respectful way.This is not just another fan book (not that there's anything wrong with the work of fanboys/girls). It's a slice of television history that continues to fascinate with each read (I'm currently on my third). If you are interested in television history, get this book.

Like many others no doubt who picked up Reflections, I am a pretty big Twin Peaks aficionado. Despite that fact, this book did not impress me too much. It had its moments, like discovering what an eccentric character Michael Ontkean is, as well as how it clarified for me just how the industry worked at that time in history, and how those events led to control of the show shifting into different hands almost entirely. I watched Twin Peaks just a couple of months ago for the second time (yes only), and I suspect that if I were to give it a third in preparation for season three, as I just may do, I'd be able to identify what was happening behind the scenes at key points where the tone shifts for the worse. So that's valuable.What prevents me from giving "Reflections" an A grade, then? The sense that I've read, or heard, about 75 percent of the material in here before. And I have, thanks to Youtube and the internet in general. At least where the actors are concerned. Ray Wise must have told that story about when he learned he was... well... you know... dozens, if not hundreds of times. But it's more than this, actually. It's the repetitiveness. The author and interviewer Brad Dukes had two tasks. The first was to coax out interesting material from his interviewees, and to that end, perhaps he did the job as well as anyone could do. But I wonder if he asked the right questions, or merely obvious ones. There were times when things got juicy but then towards the end, everyone, cast and crew alike were basically repeating the same lines.And therein lies my second complaint - his editing. Obviously, Brad had to create a coherent narrative, and in doing so, he lumped together (sometimes cleverly) excerpts from different people referring to the same event, or who came off as on the same wavelength of thought. At one point at least, you might have sworn the interviewees were in the same room, agreeing with someone else who preceded them. That's when it works. When it doesn't, what you get is ten pages of cast and crew all repeating ad nauseum what a "special experience" it all was, going into zero depth whatsoever. In the concluding portions I couldn't wait to be done, because you can only read the same thing over and over so many times without it feeling like a mild form of torture.Having said all that, this is my first book purchase on the entertainment biz, and am kind of used to heavier subject matter. You can probably only expect so much from this type of thing in the first place. Not a bad attempt, Brad Dukes, and well timed. It's almost as if you knew there'd be a new series coming out.

There have been various other books about this classic, groundbreaking series; some superficial, others collecting rather esoteric academic theses on supposed parallels of Twin Peaks with Arthurian legend, Shakespeare and such like. Yeah, maybe...This book is not like that. It is primarily a collection of interviews with the producers, directors, cast and crew of Twin Peaks. David Lynch is not interviewed here - but we've heard his voice elsewhere many times and there is a good example in the book Lynch on Lynch.Despite most of the interviews having taken place nearly 25 years after the fact, the level of detail in the book brings the whole thing back to life, almost as if it were happening now. The reminiscences and insights seem honest and often pull no punches, particularly about the producers and TV big men, Lynch's role as occasional director and general inspiration, and the events relating to the demise of the series. The lines of questioning were clearly intelligent and informed and author Brad Dukes (a fan since the age of 9) has done a great job of editing the material into a coherent form (although I'd love to see the unedited stuff too!). The layout is arranged chronologically, from the genesis of the show, the pilot, through seasons 1 and 2, to its premature ending. There are also some comments on the film Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me.Over 90% of names commonly associated with Twin Peaks have their comments recorded here, ranging from deeply insightful, extremely funny, angry, regretful to wistful. Some of the stories fans will have heard before but the versions presented here often differ in detail, even offering different versions of the same event. It is clear that everyone associated with Twin Peaks was hugely affected by their involvement and knew they were a part of something very special. And, despite the exposures and details on offer here, there remains something uniquely wonderful and strange at the heart of Twin Peaks, which is clearly not unrelated to the influence of David Lynch, even when he wasn't actually present.I was tempted to quote from the book but I think most readers, whether new to the series, fervent fans or just curious, will find this book irresistible and I strongly suggest that anyone interested should purchase a copy forthwith. The publication of this book is particularly timely, given the recent release of the Twin Peaks: The Entire Mystery box set.The only negative comment to make is that the reproductions of the photos in black and white are of poor quality - but this is a minor quibble.

It arrived in good condition. I have not read it yet but have heard really good reviews from Twin Peak sites about the book.

I thought I had already read every story that could possibly ever be told about a TV series that came and went over 20 years ago, but I was gently coerced into giving this a try by the brilliantly enthusiastic folk at welcometotwinpeaks.com and I'm enormously glad that I did.The insights shared by cast, crew and creators are fresh, vivid and enlightening, as well as benefitting from the grace of having 20 years to stop worrying about upsetting anybody by telling the truth!This is not only essential reading for all Twin Peaks fans, it's also highly entertaining and sublimely curated by Brad Dukes.

I enjoyed reading Brad Duke's book. It weaves its way through recorded interviews to shed light on the explosion and waning of Twin Peaks. There's little by way of objective commentary which somehow leaves the book feeling incomplete. This aside, recommended.