Twin Peaks - John Merrick and FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 21 ก.ย. 2024
- A quick look at some similar themes explored in both The Elephant Man and Twin Peaks (both directed by filmmaker David Lynch) with a strong focus on John Merrick, Frederick Treves, Dale Cooper, and Laura Palmer.
This episode was written, narrated, and produced by Geoffrey Ciani (aka - Rummy).
And if you're looking for a place to discuss Twin Peaks with fellow fans you may want to, check out the Facebook Group "Twin Peaks: Between Two Worlds".
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Twin Peaks - John Merrick and FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper
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Am I the only one who (as a kid) thought the Elephant Man was a documentary? I first saw it as a kid in the 1980’s. It was shown on a weekend where we were allowed to preview what cable TV would be like. I had no idea (as a kid) that this wasn’t a documentary. I cried so much watching it and felt so horrible for the elephant man. This movie, and Pink Floyd’s The Wall, are what made me decide to go into the field of Psychology.
"I don't need no, arms around me.
And I don't need no, drugs to calm me.
I have seen the writing on the wall.
Don't think I need, anything at all.
NO!... don't think I need anything at all.
All in all it was, just a brick in the wall.
All in all YOU were, all just bricks in the wall".
"Goodbye, cruel world... I'm leavin' you today.
Goodbye.
Goodbye.
Goodbye.
Goodbye all you people.
There is nothing you can say.
To make me change... my mind".
"Goodbye".
Pink Floyd (especially "The Wall", and that specific section I just shared) is a large part of what inspired me to pursue a degree in Psychology too, my friend!
You are not the only one.
I was born in 1981, and I first saw scenes from this movie when I was 4 or 5 years old... my mother was always an avid horror fan, so I watched stuff like Jason and Michael Myers before I ever watched a Ninja Turtle, He-Man, or a Ghostbuster. This was one of the first "horror" films she showed me, along with "Hush Hush, Sweet Charlotte". I was young enough to convince myself that it was a documentary... and it wasn't until I was 9 or 10 when my mom finally explained to me that it was not.
Normally my memory isn't very good, especially with the passage of time... so something from when I was THAT young?
Let's just say it had enough of an impression on me to have made it a lifelong, vivid memory... formed when I was barely older than a toddler.
Thanks mom. Rest in Peace.
This video right here is why I love the Twin Peaks/Lynch community so much. Our gears are always turning and we're always sharing our interpretations with one another. It's a wonderful thing to be a part of 👍
It’s cool stuff😁👍
The montage of all the characters that have passed since season 3 was so touching. Sweet dedication to the realest part of Twin Peaks. ❤
And they just keep leaving us...
I love you Lynchian content so much. Thank you. Condolences for the loss of your Dad. The Elephant Man is a heart wrenchingly beautiful film.
So happy to get two Wow Lynch Wow episodes just one week apart! Feels like Twin Peaks Season 3 all over again. Can't wait for some Better Call Saul Season 5 coverage. Thanks Rummy.
Your videos are the only Twin Peaks analysis I still watch. You always produce quality work. Damn fine job, Agent Geoffrey.
Thank you, Eden. Appreciate the support and encouragement.
It’s great to see a Twin Peaks vid from you again!
And I’m 99% sure you’re the secret person behind Rummy’s corner 😉
Haha, that the boxing channel? I left a comment on one of the videos saying that this is surely Wow, Lynch, Wow. It's got to be him!
This made me think of the mix of fascination and terror Laura inspired in people, and how she, through all her troubles, was held on a pedestal for the whole town to gawk at.
Great video, man!
Thank you Rummy, I always had The Elephant Man in the back of my mind when watching season 3. I'm glad I'm not the only one.
I love the movie The Elephant Man. It makes me cry just by watching this video.
Thinks we never forget: First David Lynch movie (for me "Ereaserhead" in cinema) and first time watching "Salo, or the 120 days of Sodom"... like your chanel, always interesting Lynch stuff, i still hope for a 4th season
That’s what I pray for every day....😁🙏
It literally make my day when I see these posted. Thanks so so much. Love them. ps I agree 100% on the impact of the Elephant Man. One of the saddest movies ever.
Great video! I think it's Dougie's touch, like John Merrick, that turned people around to him. Even Janey-E loved him more. But John put effort in, once given the opportunity to express himself, people were touched by his example. Dougie just kind of stumbled around and everyone seemed to be affected by his example...so same outcome, different process.
Thanks for sharing about your father. This video even pulled a few tears from my eyes...I saw the Elephant Man when I was 7 or 8 maybe....it was on HBO and since they didn't have too much variety I watched it repeatedly, obsessed with the black and white photography (transition from 70s to 80s and NOTHING looked like that), and absolutely enthralled with the beauty of the story. That film made a huge impact on me and would forever influence my sense of justice and human decency. I bawled every time.
I had a very similar experience watching The Elephant Man at an early age, it was the first film that really moved me on a profound level.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame always gets me like the Elephant Man gets me.
Dude !! Your videos on Twin Peaks are a the best. So glad you have returned with some further Lynchian analysis. So Mr. WLW Geoffrey keep up the good work. I wonder if Mr. Lynch has ever seen any of your videos. I'm sure he'd get a big kick as well as a big itch!!
The Elephant Man an underrated gem in the history of cinema once you see it , it touches your soul (that is the power of cinema right there). Based on true events is a story of humanity or the lack of it. The moment i saw it in 1980 i cried and i loved it at the same time. David Lynch a film maker like no other a true visionary , today Ari Aster could be his successor if he continues in the path he is in after Hereditary and Midsommar.
Love your videos and love all your connections between The Return and Lynch’s previous work. I have been itching for your take on the 4 1/2 hour Twin Peaks Explained...
This is a great video. I believe the 3rd season showed how adversity, experience and knowledge can bring darkness to the soul, the good parts of a person can still remain in control or at least have strong influence. At the end of the season, when Cooper is searching for Laura, he has been on a long hard journey against ultimate evil. He is darker now, maybe a little harsher....but he could have killer those thugs at the diner. He shot one in the foot and wrecked them, but he did not cross that line. I think Coop has grown in consciousnesses and now is maybe a bit dehumanized, and this is how Mr. C has earned some influence on Coop but I don't think Mr' C or Coop had an ultimate win at the end.
"The world breaks everyone and afterward many are strong at the broken places. But those that will not break it kills. It kills the very good and the very gentle and the very brave impartially. If you are none of these you can be sure it will kill you too but there will be no special hurry." -Ernest Hemingway
100% We saw the film at the same age. I love your channel and your ideas! :D
I see all of Lynch's work showing up in Twin Peaks the Return. It's almost like he weaved his entire body of work into that Return. It's its own thing, but also an ode to his own self simultaneously. You have Briggs floating head, and Eraserhead's floating head looking incredibly similar. That's one of many pop ups that call back on older Lynch work. Twin Peaks the Return is so much more than meets the eye. and easily his magnum opus.
Anyone else notice how our host sounds so much like Lewis Black? Any moment I expect him to launch into some hysterically funny rant. Thank you Mr. Ciani for another fine episode full of musings and ramblings... with some really great insight thrown in for good measure.
Elephant Man was the movie that made realise I loved film. I cried so bad watching it, people thought I was affraid but it was all the emotion. I then knew it was real life that was the true horror, I felt on the inside as he did on the outside. Just love this film. And I'm totally connecting to what your saying here. Agent Cooper and John Merrick have the same soul. Who is seperating the good and bad half's off people's souls creating Mr C and Laura's mom? Tulpa's are different because they can be made by using a piece of the person you're copying. In Twin Peaks every time we see the giant was it filmed in colour? Because the one scene with ''the two birds'' line wasn't that in black and white, he also called himself the fireman so was it the giant from the first two seasons or was it his doppelgänger working with Mr C? ''Two birds one stone''
Brilliant! Thank you!!!
Another link is that David Bowie played John Merrick at the Hampstead Theatre in London during 1977. It would seem that Richard is somewhere between Dale Cooper and Phillip Jeffries, whose humanity has misted into the smoky machinery that blankets The Elephant Man.
Um TH-cam is slacking because I didn’t get a notification for this! I miss your twin peaks videos!!
Have you seen that big twin peaks analysis video on „Twin Perfect” channel?
my theory is that The Return is not a culmination, but just the fact they needed to fill 18h with stuff and Lynch's subconscious was just drenched in the ideas he had done before, so it would be unavoidable he would end up giving birth to the same subject matters and themes.
excellent as always
"Any fool knows a dog needs a home
A shelter from pigs on the wing"
-Pink Floyd ("Animals" album).
Good YT video, btw! I definitely like the ongoing similarities in Lynch's work, leaning towards industrial.
I’m not sure Mr. C gave up his brightest essence when creating Dougie. Dougie was a serial philanderer who didn’t take care of himself or his family. He wasn’t totally evil, but he was clearly not a good man. That Dougie, it seems, was tainted by Mr. C’s lustful and selfish nature. Maybe giving up some of that lust is what helped Mr. C gain control over it, as he was much more controlled and deliberate in season 3 than he was in the season 2 finale.
I like that theory.......god, I love twin peaks.....😁👍
@Cyrene What if, somehow, it was the “real Cooper” who went back to Jamey-E and Sonny Jim and Richard is the tulpa?
Dougie has “needs” (sex, gambling, etc.). Mr C. only has “wants.”
I’ve ALWAYS got that feeling that Mr. C and Cooper combined into one at that last episode! Just by judging from how he handled those guys in the diner! Wow Lynch Wow knows what’s UP!😲😁👍
Also, as great as these kinds of videos are, and as much as I also love to hypothesize and draw my own conclusions and make them rock solid in my mind, David would probably laugh at all this minutiae pick-arparting and over-analysis. I personally love it. But he would definitely think we've all thought way too deeply about it if you ask me. Lol. Great video regardless! Keep em coming!
I'm kinda coming round to some of your theory of the 'mixed Coop' (Mr. C's pyrrhic victory). I too find it strange the he didn't allow Carrie some sort of choice, but I would say that I feel that these two characters (Coop/Laura) were magnetically drawn together in some attomical way AND that Carrie's keenness to get away (anywhere) may have encouraged Coop's notion that she 'needed saving' and that he was doing the 'right thing'. I almost feel that Coop instinctively felt compelled to complete some form of cycle, but mistakenly thought that Carrie would naturally feel the same. Very interesting video, thank you.
The Cooper we see in S03E18 I firmly believe IS Mr. C and my reasoning behind that theory is the diner scene where he dispatches the three cowboys that are harassing the waitress. Judys diner is an alternative Double R as well. But that Cooper is very emotionless especially during the long car drive where he doesn’t answer Laura / Carrie when she says “is someone following us”. I believe the good Cooper is manifested right at the end when he asks “what year is this”.
Thank you!!
There is something very similar between Stanley Kubrick and David Lynch. I now how awesome it would have been to see a collaboration between those two, but I know they would never get along working together. Stanley Kubrick was almost OCD level of perfectionism and needed to have everything perfect. While David Lynch is always creative and react to small little accidents where he can spin narratives out of.
Love the vid. I'm not sure I agree with you about Laura being exploited though. The Giant CREATED Laura to combat the evil of Bob, so therefore Laura's existence was purely to fight Bob and nothing else. Whilst I agree that is exploitative, but it's not of Cooper's doing, good Cooper or bad Cooper.
Christine Sparks's novelization of "The Elephant Man" will clarify Treves's character.
He was at the carnival in the opening scene specifically seeking a freak he could exploit to impress his peers and draw attention to his practice, and he was an absolute fanatic of freak shows.
What I saw was David Lynch wanting to draw attention to society's treatment of the disabled, and he himself was unsure if this movie would get the right message across or would it just be a self-serving freak show?
It is such a delicate subject.
Consider that Cole finds people like Dale and Chet and Windom and Phillip and Albert and exploits them, denies them their own reasons to chase his Blue Rose.
And he doesn't know if it's worth doing or if people will just disappear into parallel universes and die in crazy ways and go nuts.
Phillip Jeffries question should really freak you out, now.
Listen to the Twin Peaks Tapes of Dale Cooper, in the prelude recordings, Dale is aboard a plane, recites a will into his tape recorder for Diane, and then we hear a loud lightning crash. The next thing we hear is the sound of Dale kissing the ground and he is outside the Spokane home office happy to be alive.
So he was on a plane, there was a thunderclap, he turned off his tape recorder, continued on the plane ride, landed at the airport, got his luggage, went to the taxi stand or to the car rental office got to the Spokane home office, got out of the vehicle and then dropped to his knees and kissed the ground, happy to be alive.
Or, the plane was struck by lightning and Dale went into a wormhole, like Jeffries, and he popped out at the Spokane office and so he kissed the ground, happy to be alive.
Or something else.
I almost feel embarrased to feel so sad to have lost people whom I've never actually known... Miguel Ferrer, Frances Bay, Catherine Coulson, Don S. Davis, Robert Forster, Pamela Gidley, Jack Nance (poor Pete), Dan O'Herlihy, Frank Silva, Harry Dean Stanton, Warren Frost... Rest in Peace to all of them. And to those whose names have escaped me.
But I've never been touched by a piece of media like I have been touched by Twin Peaks... aside from possibly my Pink Floyd records. I was equally sad to learn of Syd Barrett and Richard Wright passing away, too...
Such expressive, wonderful artists simply don't come off the production line anymore... the artists we have will pass, and be replaced by the shoddy, hollow husks we see in current Hollywood.
This makes me sad.
It is hard to fall behind the Mr C wins theory if you look at S3 and allow Cooper to have a moment of being all business (on his ultimate mission) and except Carry/Lara was ready to GTFO when Coop arrived no questions asked.
Although Laura did make a choice (to put on the ring), she was repeatedly victimized during like half her childhood. Therefore, I don't see Coop as exploiting her somehow when he attempts to rescue her, as requested by Leland in the Lodge (at the start of Season 3). He's a lawman. He can't turn down a request like that.
Even though I dont buy Mr.C won theory completely, there is a possible clue pointing that direction I noticed. Agent Coopers eyes are hazelnut coloured; and Mr.Cs eyes are pitch black. The reunited Cooper also has black eyes, unless my tv screen or my eyes fail me.
I'm not sure Coop was aware of what a weird state Laura's mom was in, when he crossed over and tried taking that other Laura to what he perceived as the Palmer house.
It's just my opinion, however I think there may be just as strong an argument that Coop's affair with Caroline (his ex-partner's wife) was more of a moral dilemma that mirrored Sir Anthony Hopkins' character's moral dilemma regarding who his altruism/charity really serves. Both moral dilemmas are about betraying a trust for selfishness. Betraying Wyndom Earle and the Elephant Man, for the sake of having an affair with Caroline and furthering his own career. In any event, good stuff!
You are my favorite Twin Peaks commentator, but I was recently blown away by that 4½ hour explainer that has been making the rounds.
I would love to see a reaction video from you on his theory. Is that coming?
Space Cadet, Corn Pone Films, and Twin Perfect have made some great videos but i'm always coming back here for more thories I'm itching for.
This is my favorite too, I love his explanations and theories...😁👍
What a beautiful woman Hannah Gordon was in Elephant man
I haven't seen The Elephant Man yet - and I'm definitely excited to make it priority viewing after this - but Treves' questioning on whether he was a good person or if his intentions were "ideologically impure" to quote Major Garland Briggs had me thinking about Schindler's List. I know the sentiments aren't even on the same scale, but Schindler at the end wondering what he could have done to save one more life, what the difference selling even his cuff links could have made to protecting another person feels similar. He remained in the party to affect more change than he could openly opposing it and ending up dead or in a camp as a traitor along with everyone he knew and loved, but that doesn't change that he still remained. His financial and political support during the time he was covertly helping the victims may have harmed others he couldve protected had he not stayed (obviously this is not reflective on the actual Oskar Schindler). The Final Dossier makes note that Cooper had a case of "damsel in distress syndrome" stemming back to his mother and Windom Earle using two women he cared about as pawns to play against him definitely plays a part in the guilt and shame that fuels his need to save Laura Palmer. It wasn't until recently I considered that it might all be a larger play against Judy to save Laura in The Return. I thought The Fireman was giving him an opportunity or insight that could help Cooper finally save everyone - having his moral cake and eating it too so to speak - and forgetting that in the jumbled timeliness present in the Lodges that technically this moment occurs after BOB and Mr. C have been defeated and the adversary is still in their house. I don't know of this is coherent or if anyone will read it since this post is 2 years on, but it's just something sticking in my gray matter after watching this.
People always get his name wrong! His name was Joseph Merrick!
I just noticed that Diane in the car has all the Lounge palette on her. Red hair, and black and white nails. What does it mean? lol
My three Twin Peaks questions that probably have no answer whatsoever...
(1) Where are the other Double-R restaurants located? I'm developing a rather powerful hankering for some d.f. coffee and a big slice of cherry pie. (Notice it's always cherry? What's up with that?)
(2) How is it that Lucy can be so completely ignorant about cell phones yet so adept at online shopping?
(3) Pretty much each episode in Season 3 has a scene at The Roadhouse where some interesting act gets up onstage and an even more interesting conversation takes place between people sitting at one of the tables. Each night it's different people, creating the rough skeleton of some tantalizing side story that may or may not connect with the main story arc. The weird thing? It's always the SAME table. Is there something about that table that seems to attract the patrons whose stories we want to hear more about?
I think Mr.C is really Anton Cigurh from "No Country For Old Men".
Damn, I still gotta see Straight Story....it’s the only one I haven’t seen yet.....🤔
My favourite Anthony Hopkins role is from 'The Elephant Man'
You got one thing very wrong but don't feel bad. Everybody does.
Richard (Cooper) wasn't looking for Laura when he found Carrie Page. He was looking for Diane (Linda).
Remember the sex ritual Cooper and Diane conducted? That was an attempt to invoke Judy (Jao Dai or whatever) and when Cooper woke up the next morning and Diane was gone, he thought that was why she'd left. Judy had taken her over. So he goes off to find her, looking for a sign of her presence which he found when he saw Judy's the restaurant.
This led him to Laura, or Carrie Page, but notice how surprised Cooper was when Laura opened the door. He wasn't expecting Laura. He was looking for Diane.
@Vincent Magnin That's possible. I got the impression at the time, when first watching it, that she was talking to her husband. Or at least that was the impression I thought she was trying to give at the time.
And I actually thought it was Red, who back then I thought was the grown up version of old Mrs. Tremond's grandson Pierre. I halfway expected Red to come to the door then but I should have known David Lynch would never do anything that explicitly out in the open.
I do remember thinking it sounded like a man talking in the background, though you couldn't make out the words.
The Elephant Man scared the crap out of me at age 11, and again at 20. I will Never watch it again. Forget all the sad, inspirational stuff, this movie is a straight-up horror movie. Disturbing as hell. Makes Eraserhead look like Sesame Street.
thank you for leaving out her screaming for once
Coop was infested with Jowday when he found "carrie page" and i think Laura screamed because she new she was fd again.
Kyle Merritt and John Merrick
I think cooper is a lodge enitity
Why didn't Cooper provide Laura with a choice?
Because - at the time of the OGs creation - the "public" - Cooper - didn't, to Lynch at least, want a choice between story-telling and suspense with flat-out bat-shit rubbish action. The wanted the instant fix, the closure.
Or something like that.
Boxing
Maybe you already know this : th-cam.com/video/DELO15u77KI/w-d-xo.html
I think Cooper' s advice to Laura about not wearing the ring is an interesting way to extend your theory
Hey Rummy you should watch this video th-cam.com/video/7AYnF5hOhuM/w-d-xo.html and maybe do a reaction to it. For me its so spot on and makes so much sense of Lynch and his artistic motivations
Why didn't Dale Cooper stay with Janie E and his son the fact he gave them a tulpa instead of himself that's why he failed he didn't choose love over darkness. He ultimately failed cuz he didn't choose to live with dougies wife n his son that would of been the best ending but cuz he did the tulpa n went on to take Laura out of her death he failed.