Twin Peaks: The Entire Mystery Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

Twin Peaks: The Entire Mystery Blu-ray Movie Review

A damn fine cup of coffee and a piece of cherry pie...

Reviewed by Kenneth Brown July 30, 2014

The death of Twin Peaks didn't come by cancellation. No, it was a violent implosion that brought an end to David Lynch and Mark Frost's cult phenomenon. After garnering high praise from spellbound audiences and critics in 1990 with its first daring season, the tragically short-lived series began to fall apart a year later, with a more erratic second season that, in retrospect, was doomed to fail almost from the start. Not only did network execs make the decision to up the episode count from seven to twenty-two, hoping to capitalize on the show's popularity, they demanded the resolution of Laura Palmer's murder, which came just eight episodes in. With the central mystery all but solved and answers proving... divisive, Twin Peaks was forced to dramatically reorient and restructure, a necessity that slowly sent viewers scurrying. By the time the second season found its footing -- and, believe me, it did, ending with a razor-sharp arc that culminated in a jaw-dropping cliffhanger -- it was too late. Twin Peaks, which had once burned so intensely no one could look away, had been snuffed out.

The rest of the story is the stuff of post-development hell. Lynch and Frost split. Irreconcilable differences. Key members of the cast parted ways. Most stood by their director, but others, Kyle MacLachlan in particular, felt abandoned, while still others like Lara Flynn Boyle held a grudge, refusing to return to the Lynch fold. Wounded, reeling and above all obsessed, Lynch hurriedly announced, wrote and produced the now-infamous 1992 theatrical prequel Fire Walk with Me; sans Boyle and with a distressing eleventh hour change that, by MacLachlan's own request, reduced Agent Cooper's role to a glorified cameo. Booed at Cannes, eviscerated by critics and flatly rejected at the box office (earning less than $5 million), the feature film was nothing short of the saga's death knell. Twin Peaks was no more.

And yet the series continues its rise from the ashes, even some twenty-two years after its immolation. Still largely unfinished and unresolved, yes, but with a growing fanbase as fascinated by the series and its strange smalltown mysteries as it is by the story of its production, tumultuous run and untimely end. Make no mistake, despite its faults, Twin Peaks altered the television landscape forever. We still reap the benefits today. It remains as engrossing a story as it ever was, with a bold, surreal, cinematic eccentricity that stands in defiance of its age and almost prophetically ahead of its time.

"There are many stories in Twin Peaks. Some of them are sad, some funny. Some are stories of madness, of violence. Some are ordinary, yet they all have about them a sense of mystery. The mystery of life. Sometimes, the mystery of death. The mystery of the woods, the woods surrounding Twin Peaks. To introduce this story, let me just say it encompasses the all. It is beyond the fire, though few would know that meaning. It is a story of many, but it begins with one. And I knew her. The one leading to the many is Laura Palmer. Laura is the one."

The Blu-ray release of Twin Peaks: The Entire Mystery features twenty-nine episodes, the feature film Fire Walk with Me, and numerous extras -- new, old and remastered -- spread across ten BD-50 discs:

- Disc 1: Season One, Series Pilots, Episodes 1-2
- Disc 2: Season One, Episodes 3-7
- Disc 3: Season Two, Episodes 1-3
- Disc 4: Season Two, Episodes 4-7
- Disc 5: Season Two, Episodes 8-11
- Disc 6: Season Two, Episodes 12-15
- Disc 7: Season Two, Episodes 16-19
- Disc 8: Season Two, Episodes 20-22
- Disc 9: Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me
- Disc 10: Additional Bonus Content

Twin Peaks: The Entire Mystery Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Twin Peaks offers a faithfully and meticulously remastered 1080p/AVC-encoded video presentation that looks even better than I anticipated. Though there's some slight -- slight -- variation in quality as the series proper unfolds, it's extremely negligible, and really comes down to scattered white specks and the occasional halo. Nothing of consequence or concern. Otherwise, Season One fares as well as Season Two, which, setting aside the differences in production values, aspect ratio and other factors, handily bests Fire Walk with Me. (More on the feature film in a moment.) The series' colors are lovely, richly saturated and almost unnervingly warm, to the point that they sometimes come on a bit strong. It's all well within Lynch and cinematographer Frank Byers' intentions, though, and I never felt anything was off the mark. Skintones are quite striking, primaries are vivid (even visceral when more startling or surreal imagery is employed) and black levels are deep and inky, without hindering delineation. Detail is excellent too, from the pilot to the second season finale, with clean, naturally defined edges, crisply resolved fine textures, revealing close-ups and an unobtrusive, filmic layer of perfectly preserved grain. The only softness that creeps in originates in the series' photography, and I didn't notice any significant macroblocking, banding, crush or other unsightly issues. Every now and then I caught sight of some faint ringing or flickering, but nothing that made its way into my notes, and certainly nothing remotely severe. I'm still pretty blown away by the show's presentation. Fans will be ecstatic.

Fire Walk with Me delivers a decidedly decent 1080p/AVC-encoded presentation as well, albeit one that isn't as attractive or proficiently remastered as the series' image. Contrast and clarity are generally pleasing, even though skintones are a tad washed out and primaries are as brilliant as they could be. Black levels are strong nonetheless, shadows are absorbing and detail is exacting. (Much more so than it is in the French MK2 Blu-ray release.) Edge definition is, for the most part, precise, textures follow suit, and grain is mostly intact. There are several scenes in which the film takes on a mildly over-processed appearance -- note the shots at the beginning of Chapter 4 for starters, when Agents Desmond and Stanley arrive at the Deer Meadow Sheriff station -- but insofar as noise reduction is concerned, it hasn't been utilized in too egregious a manner; at least not one that produces any serious smearing or negative side effects. There also aren't any encoding issues, save a hint of artifacting and noise that sneaks into some darker shots. It definitely isn't as much of a revelation as the series' remaster and resurrection -- or a product of the tender loving care afforded the show -- but it still delivers and bests everything release that's come before it, domestic or intentional.

• Screenshots 6-15 - Twin Peaks: Season One
• Screenshots 16-30 - Twin Peaks: Season Two
• Screenshots 31-40 - Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me
• Additional Fire Walk with Me Screenshots: Click Here

Twin Peaks: The Entire Mystery Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Twin Peaks: The Entire Mystery features a wonderful DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 surround experience. The series' sound design makes the transition to 7.1 surround with ease. The eerie sounds eerier, the unsettling more unsettling, and the atmospheric that much more atmospheric. Ambient effects have been distributed across the soundfield to great effect and Angelo Badalamenti's score fills and floods every channel, and without overpowering dialogue or fainter subtleties. The show remains a product of the early '90s, of course, and to that end the track is a smartly remixed throwback that neither overplays its hand nor underwhelms the listener. Voices are clear and intelligible, with only a small, easy to shrug off sampling of tinny, muffled or less than perfectly prioritized dialogue snippets. LFE output is weighty and haunting, exuding power at all the right moments and exercising restraint whenever a more measured low-end touch is required. The rear speakers are used somewhat sparingly, yet the soundfield is immersive and engaging, creating an all too convincing small town environment suited to the good-natured eccentricity and twisted underbelly of Twin Peaks. Sequences involving Bob, the Red Room and other supernatural elements are particularly aggressive too. Madness sounds maddening, insanity bring with it a creepy sonic instability, and violent acts pierces the soundscape... well, violently. And it all pairs with the series' video presentation masterfully. Again, I couldn't be happier.

Fire Walk with Me also includes a first-class DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 surround track; one more comfortable in the move to Blu-ray and an eight-channel home theater mix. Dialogue is clean, carefully centered and neatly prioritized, even when chaos erupts or the surreal begins to seep into the real world. The LFE channel and rear speakers give their all as well, forging an able-bodied experience that's more cinematic than that which accompanies the television series. Directionality is commendable, pans are smooth and dynamics are quite good, without anything in the way of issues or shortcomings. There are a few scenes that sound a bit thin and flat compared to the rest, but it seems the film's sound design, not the lossless track, is the culprit. Other than that, though, there isn't anything to complain about. Fire Walk with Me doesn't sound like a film that was shot yesterday -- it too is a product of the early '90s -- but no matter. I doubt it could be much better than this.

Twin Peaks: The Entire Mystery Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Log Lady Intros (Discs 1-8, HD): Each episode of the two-season series features a brief, winding, often utterly bizarre introduction by Margaret Lanterman aka the Log Lady (actress Catherine E. Coulson) loaded with little easter eggs and references.
• Episode Previews and Recaps (Discs 1-8, HD): Though only available for select episodes, diehard fans and completists will no doubt appreciate the inclusion of the series' previews and recaps.
• Two Versions of Series Pilot (Disc 1, HD): Both the original 94-minute U.S. broadcast cut and alternate 113-minute international version of the series' pilot are included, with the international version boasting an additional twenty minutes of material and a different ending that allows the pilot function as a standalone film. Both are presented in 1080p with DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 surround.
• Season One Image Gallery (Disc 2, HD): The image gallery includes a variety of behind-the-scenes production photographs divided into three categories: "Season 1 Images," "Picnic" and "Ski Trip."
• Twin Peaks Sneak Peaks (Disc 2, HD, 3 minutes): Six "Tonight in Twin Peaks" network promos (narrated by the aloof, ever-chatty Lucy), each remastered in HD. A Play-All option is available.
• A Slice of Lynch: Uncut (Disc 3, HD, 56 minutes): The first extensive extra in the 10-disc set, "A Slice of Lynch" finds David Lynch sitting down for coffee and cherry pie with Kyle Maclachlan, Mädchen Amick and post-production supervisor John Wentworth to discuss all things Twin Peaks. It's a strange, decidedly eccentric roundtable, with a bemused Maclachlan, Amick and Wentworth grinning at Lynch as if he's from descended from another planet. Awkward opening minutes aside, though, there are a lot of great little details and anecdotes to be garnered from the hour-long chat, especially once Lynch starts asking questions and allowing the trio across the bar to do the talking. Many of his questions are straight out of left field, mind you, but there's a charming weirdness to the conversation that cleverly evokes the tone of the series. Note: a 30-minute version of "A Slice of Lynch" was released in 2007. This cut is notably longer.
• Season Two Image Gallery (Disc 3, HD): This second-season image gallery offers up more behind-the-scenes production photographs, this time divided into two categories: "Season 2 Images" and "Albert's Slides."
• Original Promos (Disc 3, HD/SD, 5 minutes): "There's No Place Like Home," "T-Shirt Ad," "Holiday Greeting," "Patriot Greeting" and "Big Game Promo" (which features multiple takes). A Play-All option is available.
• New and Previously Released Deleted Scenes (Disc 4, HD/SD, 14 minutes): Twelve newly released deleted scenes are presented in high definition -- "Cooper and Donna Talk About Picnic," "Picnic," "Cooper and Truman at Gazebo," "Mayor's Speech," "Lucy and Raccoons," "16mm Period Piece," "Bobby Coaches Shelly," "Lucy and Deputy Andy," "Jerry's Wandering Eye," "27 Going on 6," "Lucy, Andy and Donuts" and "Something About Johnny" -- followed by a 6-minute standard definition reel of previously released scenes.
• Outtakes (Disc 4, HD, 2 minutes): Kyle MacLachlan and Michael Ontkean small talk the night away in a squad car and eventually crack up and share a few laughs.
• The Glastonbury Archives (Disc 5, SD, 74:32 minutes): A collection of featurettes, interviews and other odds and ends culled from the series' previous DVD releases. Segments include "17 Pieces of Pie: Shooting at the Mar T (aka RR) Diner," "Mark Frost Interview with Wrapped in Plastic," "Learning to Speak in the Red Room," "An Introduction to David Lynch," "Lucy Bumpers," "1-900 Hotline," "Production Documents" and "Image Galleries."
• Return to Twin Peaks (Disc 5, SD, 20 minutes): This 2007 featurette spotlights series fans from all walks of life who are making their way to a Twin Peaks festival. (Think Comic-Con, Cosplay and all, just more Lynch-y.)
• Location Guide (Disc 5, SD, 8 minutes): A tour of the locations used to create several key locales and set pieces. Segments include "Town Sign," "Packard Lodge," "Laura's Log," "Packard Saw Mill/Sheriff Station," "The Great Northern," "Ronette's Bridge," "Double R Diner" and "The Roadhouse."
• Postcards from the Cast (Disc 6, SD, 59 minutes): A large assortment of interviews with members of the cast, including Kyle MacLachlan, Richard Beymer, Michael Anderson, Kimmy Robertson, Everett McGill, Wendy Robie, Grace Zabriskie, Dana Ashbrook, Peggy Lipton, Ray Wise, Sheryl Lee, Miguel Ferrer, Madchen Amick, Don Davis, Al Strobel, Michael Horse, Piper Laurie, James Marshall, Russ Tamblyn and Catherine Coulson.
• Twin Peaks Promos (Disc 6, HD, 1 minute): A pair of promos advertising the series' move to a different night, presented in HD. Promos include "Now on Saturdays" and "Twin Peaks Saturday."
• Cast and Crew Interviews (Disc 7, SD, 66 minutes): Additional interviews with the cast and crew. Up first, Kyle MacLachlan, Madchen Amick, Sherilyn Fenn, Dana Ashbrook, Gary Hershberger, James Marshall, David Duchovny, Kimmy Reobertson, Don Davis, Mary Jo Deschanel, Lenny Von Dohlen, Charlotte Sewart and Robyn Lively discuss what brought them to the series, the production, and the show's legacy. Then it's on to the crew, which includes "Laura Palmer's Diary" author Jennifer Lynch and episode directors Todd Holland, Caleb Deschanel, Duwayne Dunham, Stephen Gyllenhaal and Tim Hunter.
• Secrets From Another Place: Creating Twin Peaks (Disc 8, HD, 106 minutes): Four sprawling but focused behind-the-scenes documentaries delve into the development, casting, scripting, filming, production and tone of the entire series, from pilot to finale. The documentaries include "Northwest Passage: Creating the Pilot," "Freshly Squeezed: Creating Season One," "Where We're From: Creating the Music" and "Into the Night: Creating Season Two."
• Fire Walk with Me: The Missing Pieces (Disc 9, HD, 91 minutes): The holy grail of Twin Peaks fandom is finally available: an hour and a half of deleted and extended scenes from Fire Walk with Me, many of which feature characters, returning series actors and entire subplots that were cut or severely trimmed from the final film. Sweetening the deal is the fact that the compilation is presented in 1080p with DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 surround. The only downside I suppose is that Lynch hasn't added the scenes back into the film to create a nearly four-hour director's cut. Scenes include:
  
  
  1. Desmond's Mo *
  2. Say Hello to Jack *
  3. Good Morning Irene
  4. This One's Coming from J. Edgar
  5. Cooper and Diane
  6. Stanley's Apartment
  7. Buenos Aires / Above the Convenience Store
  8. Mike Is the Man * / Sharing a Cigarette
  9. School Books
  10. The Palmers
  11. Laura's Party
  12. 2x4
  13. Kind of Quiet *
  14. Best Friends *
  15. I'm the Muffin / The Ring *
  16. Bob Speaks Through Laura * / Blue Sweater
  17. Sunday at the Johnson's
  18. Smash Up
  19. The Power and the Glory
  20. Fire Walk with Me
  21. Party Girl
  22. Don't Forget / Laura's Secret Stash
  23. Bernie the Mule
  24. I Killed Someone
  25. Baby Laxative
  26. Send Me a Kiss
  27. Asparagus
  28. Bobby and Laura in the Basement *
  29. Goodnight Lucy
  30. Waiting for James *
  31. Distant Screams
  32. Lonesome Foghorn Blows
  33. Epilogue
  
  * Extended Scene
  
  
• Fire Walk with Me: Archival Interviews (Disc 9, SD, 5 minutes): Actors Ray Wise, Sheryl Lee, Moira Kelly and Madchen Amick briefly talk about their roles and the feature film in these vintage promotional excerpts.
• Between Two Worlds (Disc 10, HD, 38 minutes): In what he underplays as "an interesting turn of events," David Lynch interviews Leland, Sarah and Laura Palmer (an in-character Ray Wise, Grace Zabriskie and Sheryl Lee), asking Leland about family memories and life after death, Sarah about her current whereabouts and pursuits, and Laura about her reflections on life, her time with her parents, and the beyond. It's a terribly strange epilogue yet so creepy, hypnotic and effective (particularly when Laura's speaking) that it's impossible to look away. Afterwards, the actors break character and break bread... erm, cherry pie for a much lighter, looser conversation about their time on the series. "It was the best of times," Wise begins. "It was the greatest experience!"
• Moving Through Time: Fire Walk with Me Memories (Disc 10, HD, 30 minutes): The cast and crew of Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me reminisce about the series' cancellation, the genesis and idea behind the film, the challenges Lynch faced in writing, casting and producing, MacLachlan's withdrawal from the project, recasting Donna Hayward after Lara Flynn Boyle declined to return, and other aspects of the film, its themes, characters, world, and integration of the supernatural and surreal.
• Reflections on the Phenomenon of Twin Peaks (Disc 10, SD, 31 minutes): Also included is another collection of interviews with key members of the cast and crew of Fire Walk with Me, shot between May and August 2000.
• Atmospherics (Disc 10, HD, 13 minutes): The discs' menus feature various environment and show clip loops set to series music and dialogue. Want to watch them individually? Sans text and other menu overlays? Here's your chance. Atmospherics include "Trees/Woods," "Pie," "Signs/Places," "Coffee," "Notes," "Water," "Donuts," "Owls," "The Ring" and "The Red Room"
• Trailers (Disc 10, HD/SD, 5 minutes): Rounding out the 10-disc set are U.S. and international theatrical trailers for Fire Walk with Me, as well as a quick teaser for "The Missing Pieces" deleted scenes.
• Fire Walk with Me Photo Gallery (Disc 10, HD): Production photographs from the film.

Twin Peaks: The Entire Mystery Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The 10-disc Blu-ray release of Twin Peaks: The Entire Mystery is easily one of the year's must-have television releases. Actually, forget television. It's one of the year's best. Period. Not only has rediscovering the series been a blast, the show's remaster and video presentation are magnificent, its DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 surround track is strong, and the extras are terrific. Fire Walk with Me looks and sounds pretty good too, and includes even tastier special features, among them ninety minutes of deleted scenes fans have been clamoring to see for decades. It just doesn't get much better than this. If you've never experienced the weird and wonderful surreality of Twin Peaks, there's no time like the present to take the plunge. If you've already fallen in love with the series and all its mysteries, eccentric inhabitants and otherworldly denizens, don't delay. The Entire Mystery comes highly recommended.