"Episode 5", also known as "Cooper's Dreams", is the sixth episode of the
first season of the American mystery television series ''
Twin Peaks
''Twin Peaks'' is an American Mystery fiction, mystery serial drama television series created by Mark Frost and David Lynch. It premiered on American Broadcasting Company, ABC on April 8, 1990, and originally ran for two seasons until its cance ...
''. The episode was written by series co-creator
Mark Frost and directed by
Lesli Linka Glatter. "Episode 5" features series regulars
Kyle MacLachlan
Kyle Merritt MacLachlan (; ' McLachlan, February 22, 1959) is an American actor. He is best known for his role as Dale Cooper in ''Twin Peaks'' (1990–1991; 2017) and its film prequel '' Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me'' (1992), as well as roles ...
,
Michael Ontkean
Michael Leonard Ontkean (born 24 January 1946) is a retired Canadian actor. Born and raised in Vancouver, British Columbia, Ontkean relocated to the United States to attend the University of New Hampshire on a hockey scholarship before pursuing ...
and
Richard Beymer
George Richard Beymer Jr. (born February 20, 1938) is an American actor, filmmaker and artist who played the roles of Tony in the film version of ''West Side Story'' (1961), Peter in ''The Diary of Anne Frank'' (1959), and Ben Horne on the telev ...
, with guest appearances by
Chris Mulkey
Chris Mulkey (born May 3, 1948) is an American film and television actor.
Career
Mulkey played the supporting role of husband to Annie Potts's character in '' Any Day Now'' from 1998 to 2002. He has also appeared in '' Captain Phillips'', '' ...
and
David Patrick Kelly
David Patrick Kelly (born January 23, 1951) is an American actor, musician and lyricist who has appeared in numerous films and television series. He is best known for his role as the main antagonist, Luther, in the cult film '' The Warriors'' (19 ...
.
Glatter has noted that the episode exemplifies the themes of longing and desire which she feels characterize the series; she has also called to attention its careful balance between tragic and comic elements. Exterior scenes in the episode were filmed in California's
Angeles National Forest
The Angeles National Forest (ANF) of the United States Forest Service, U.S. Forest Service is located in the San Gabriel Mountains and Sierra Pelona Mountains, primarily within Los Angeles County, California, Los Angeles County in southern Calif ...
and blended with stock footage of
Washington
Washington commonly refers to:
* Washington (state), United States
* Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States
** A metonym for the federal government of the United States
** Washington metropolitan area, the metropolitan area centered on ...
to enhance the setting.
FBI
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is the domestic Intelligence agency, intelligence and Security agency, security service of the United States and its principal Federal law enforcement in the United States, federal law enforcement age ...
agent Dale Cooper (MacLachlan) and Twin Peaks sheriff Harry Truman (Ontkean) continue to investigate a murder in the small mountain town, while local businessman Benjamin Horne (Beymer) schemes to burn down its sawmill to further his property empire. First airing on May 10, 1990, "Episode 5" was viewed by approximately 18 percent of the available audience during its broadcast; it has received positive reviews from critics.
Plot
Background
The small town of Twin Peaks, Washington, has been shocked by the murder of schoolgirl
Laura Palmer
Laura Palmer is a fictional character in the ''Twin Peaks'' franchise. She is portrayed by Sheryl Lee and was created by the series creators David Lynch and Mark Frost. She first appears in the ABC original series ''Twin Peaks''. A high schoo ...
(
Sheryl Lee) and the attempted murder of her friend
Ronette Pulaski
The following is a list of characters from the television series ''Twin Peaks'', the film '' Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me'', and the 2017 revival.
Overview
Concepts
Bob
Frank Silva was a set decorator who worked on the pilot episode. ...
(
Phoebe Augustine
Phoebe Ellen Ceresia (born April 1, 1967) (known professionally as Phoebe Augustine) is an American actress best known for playing Ronette Pulaski in ''Twin Peaks''.
Career
She portrayed Laura Palmer's friend Ronette Pulaski in several episo ...
).
Federal Bureau of Investigation
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is the domestic intelligence and security service of the United States and its principal federal law enforcement agency. Operating under the jurisdiction of the United States Department of Justice, ...
special agent
Dale Cooper (
Kyle MacLachlan
Kyle Merritt MacLachlan (; ' McLachlan, February 22, 1959) is an American actor. He is best known for his role as Dale Cooper in ''Twin Peaks'' (1990–1991; 2017) and its film prequel '' Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me'' (1992), as well as roles ...
) has come to the town to investigate, and initial suspicion has fallen upon Palmer's boyfriend
Bobby Briggs
The following is a list of characters from the television series ''Twin Peaks'', the film '' Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me'', and the 2017 revival.
Overview
Concepts
Bob
Frank Silva was a set decorator who worked on the pilot episode. ...
(
Dana Ashbrook) and the man with whom she was cheating on Briggs,
James Hurley (
James Marshall). However, other inhabitants of the town have their own suspicions: the violent, drug-dealing truck driver
Leo Johnson (
Eric Da Re
Eric Da Re (born March 3, 1965) is an American actor who played the notorious criminal Leo Johnson on the TV show ''Twin Peaks'' and its prequel film, '' Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me''. He has worked behind the scenes in several other films by ...
) is seen as a possible suspect, especially to his wife Shelly (
Mädchen Amick), who has found a bloodstained shirt among his belongings.
Events
Cooper is woken early by the sound of a raucous party in the Great Northern Hotel. He leaves to meet Truman, while Jerry Horne (
David Patrick Kelly
David Patrick Kelly (born January 23, 1951) is an American actor, musician and lyricist who has appeared in numerous films and television series. He is best known for his role as the main antagonist, Luther, in the cult film '' The Warriors'' (19 ...
) meets his brother Benjamin (
Richard Beymer
George Richard Beymer Jr. (born February 20, 1938) is an American actor, filmmaker and artist who played the roles of Tony in the film version of ''West Side Story'' (1961), Peter in ''The Diary of Anne Frank'' (1959), and Ben Horne on the telev ...
) to discuss the new Icelandic investors in their property developments. Leland Palmer (
Ray Wise
Raymond Herbert Wise (born August 20, 1947) is an American actor. He is best known for his role as Leland Palmer in ''Twin Peaks'' (1990–1991, 2017) and its prequel film '' Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me'' (1992), Vice President Hal Gardner i ...
) arrives, disoriented and wishing to return to work, but the Hornes send him home. Cooper, Truman and Doctor Hayward (
Warren Frost) discuss Johnson's bloodied shirt, learning that the blood is not Laura's but that of drug smuggler Jacques Renault.
Johnson's wife Shelly is having breakfast with her lover Bobby Briggs; the two roleplay the idea of shooting Johnson, while they toy with Shelly's pistol. When Deputy Andy Brennan (
Harry Goaz
Harry Goaz (born December 27, 1960 as Harry Preston King) is an American actor best known for his roles as Deputy Andy Brennan in the TV drama series, ''Twin Peaks'' (1990–1991, 2017), and as Sgt. Knight in the NBC TV series, '' Eerie Indiana ...
) arrives to enquire about Johnson, Briggs hides and Shelly attempts to make Johnson seem deeply involved in Laura's death and Renault's disappearance. Elsewhere, lovers Ed Hurley (
Everett McGill) and Norma Jennings (
Peggy Lipton) meet to discuss their spouses. Jennings' husband Hank (
Chris Mulkey
Chris Mulkey (born May 3, 1948) is an American film and television actor.
Career
Mulkey played the supporting role of husband to Annie Potts's character in '' Any Day Now'' from 1998 to 2002. He has also appeared in '' Captain Phillips'', '' ...
) has been released from prison, while Hurley's volatile wife Nadine is increasingly becoming mentally unwell. Jennings leaves, feeling that things are going nowhere, leaving Hurley crestfallen. Meanwhile, Audrey Horne (
Sherilyn Fenn) is interviewed for a job at her father's department store and blackmails the interviewer into giving her a position at the shop's perfume counter—where Laura and Ronette Pulaski worked before their abduction.
Madeline Ferguson (Lee) meets with James Hurley and Donna Hayward (
Lara Flynn Boyle
Lara Flynn Boyle (born March 24, 1970) is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Donna Hayward in the television series ''Twin Peaks'' (1990–1991). After portraying Stacy in Penelope Spheeris's comedy ''Wayne's World'' (1992), ...
) at the RR Diner. They discuss Laura's death; Hurley and Hayward believe Laura hid a diary at her home and want Ferguson, who is now staying there, to look for it. They leave as Jennings and Shelly arrive; Hank is seated at another table and pulls Jennings aside to ask to start working in order to regain her trust. Meanwhile, using a photograph from Renault's home and the clues from Cooper's dream, the investigators find a log cabin in the woods that they believe to be the scene of the murder; on the floor Cooper finds a One Eyed Jack's casino chip that matches the piece found in Laura's stomach, and Truman finds Waldo, Jacques' myna bird.
That same afternoon, Bobby attends family counseling with Dr. Jacoby (
Russ Tamblyn), the town psychiatrist who also saw Laura as a patient prior to her death. Bobby is initially dismissive of Jacoby's attempt at analysis, but once he is isolated from his parents, he breaks down and confesses that Laura had told him that she wanted to die, and that she had pressured Bobby into dealing drugs so that she could use them herself.
At a party in the Great Northern to welcome the new investors, Benjamin and Catherine Martell (
Piper Laurie) secretly discuss their plan to burn the town's sawmill the following night and buy the land cheaply, unaware that Audrey is spying on them. Leland begins sobbing hysterically when a piece of music begins, and Martell escorts him away. Benjamin then finds Josie, to whom he revealed the location of Catherine's faked account book. Madeline calls Donna and informs her of a tape she found hidden in Laura's bedpost. Shelly waits at home with Bobby's gun as Johnson arrives. Hank attacks him beside his truck, threatening him; Johnson walks inside and lashes out at Shelly, and who draws the gun and shoots him.
Coming back home to the sound of the Icelanders singing, Agent Cooper is suspicious of someone in his dark room. He points his gun and says to turn on the light. Audrey Horne is naked in his bed, and she begs him to let her stay.
Production
![Sgranf](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/aa/Sgranf.jpg)
"Episode 5" was written by
Mark Frost, who created ''
Twin Peaks
''Twin Peaks'' is an American Mystery fiction, mystery serial drama television series created by Mark Frost and David Lynch. It premiered on American Broadcasting Company, ABC on April 8, 1990, and originally ran for two seasons until its cance ...
'' along with
David Lynch
David Keith Lynch (born January 20, 1946) is an American filmmaker, visual artist and actor. A recipient of an Academy Honorary Award in 2019, Lynch has received three Academy Award nominations for Best Director, and the César Award for Be ...
. Frost had previously penned "
Pilot
An aircraft pilot or aviator is a person who controls the flight of an aircraft by operating its directional flight controls. Some other aircrew members, such as navigators or flight engineers, are also considered aviators, because they a ...
", "
Episode 1 ''Episode I'', ''Episode 1'' or ''Episode One'' may refer to:
* '' Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace'', a 1999 film
* '' Half-Life 2: Episode One'', a 2006 computer game sequel
* "Episode 1" (''Ashes to Ashes''), (2008), the first episod ...
" and "
Episode 2 ''Episode II'', ''Episode 2'' or ''Episode Two'' may refer to:
* ''Episode II'' (album), an album by Safri Duo
* ''Episode II'' (EP), an EP by Eiffel 65
* "Episode 2" (song), a song by Dragon Ash
* "Episode 2" (''Ashes to Ashes''), an episode of ...
" with Lynch; this was his first solo writing credit for the series, and he would pen a further seven episodes as the series progressed. The episode was directed by
Lesli Linka Glatter, making her first contribution to the series. Glatter later returned to helm three more episodes in the second season.
Glatter has praised MacLachlan's involvement in his role, believing that he fully embraced and explored the character of Cooper; she noted that he was as devoted to the character's comedic elements as to his dramatic side and that the crew had difficulty completing takes featuring Cooper without laughing at his comic delivery. She has also noted that although the writers and directors on the series tended to emphasize the rapport between Cooper and Fenn's character Audrey Horne, there was never any intention to bring the characters together as a couple.
Glatter also highlighted Da Re's menacing character, finding it to be a contrast to the actor's real-life "sweet" personality. Da Re's mother,
Johanna Ray
Johanna Ray is an American casting director and film producer, sometimes credited as "Joanna Ray". She has been nominated for five Artios Awards, and won once in 1990. She has worked with Quentin Tarantino, David Lynch, Julia Roberts, and Nicolas C ...
, was the casting director for ''Twin Peaks''. Glatter similarly lauded the comic performances of most of the cast, particularly singling out the "dry wit" of Beymer and his chemistry with guest star Kelly. She felt that the series struck a good balance between its humorous elements and its dark subject matter, playing its serious moments with an appropriate level of gravitas and avoiding becoming a "self parody". She also has expressed her belief that the main thematic concern of the series was "longing", and that most characters were driven by their desires for each other; she particularly noted the affair between Briggs and Shelley Johnson as an example of this expressed, but secret, longing.
Throughout the series, scenes set in the Great Northern Hotel's dining room—seen at the beginning of most episodes—almost always featured a convention of some sort, whether this was intended to be noticed or not. "Episode 5" features a group of
American Indian Movement members in this capacity. Exterior scenes in the woods were filmed at
Angeles National Forest
The Angeles National Forest (ANF) of the United States Forest Service, U.S. Forest Service is located in the San Gabriel Mountains and Sierra Pelona Mountains, primarily within Los Angeles County, California, Los Angeles County in southern Calif ...
in California and blended with establishing shots of the
Washington
Washington commonly refers to:
* Washington (state), United States
* Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States
** A metonym for the federal government of the United States
** Washington metropolitan area, the metropolitan area centered on ...
landscape that had been filmed to provide the series with stock footage.
Broadcast and reception
"Episode 5" was first broadcast on the
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company (ABC) is an American commercial broadcast television network. It is the flagship property of the ABC Entertainment Group division of The Walt Disney Company. The network is headquartered in Burbank, Cali ...
on May 10, 1990. In its initial airing, it was viewed by of US households, of the available audience. For the following episode, these figures would drop to of the population and of the available audience.
[ ]
Writing for ''
The A.V. Club
''The A.V. Club'' is an American online newspaper and entertainment website featuring reviews, interviews, and other articles that examine films, music, television, books, games, and other elements of pop-culture media. ''The A.V. Club'' was cre ...
'', Keith Phipps rated the episode an "A−", noting the scene in which Leland breaks down while dancing to "
Pennsylvania 6-5000
PEnnsylvania 6-5000 is a telephone number in New York City, written in the 2L+5N (two letters, five numbers) format that was common from about 1930 into the 1960s. The number is best known from the 1940 hit song " Pennsylvania 6-5000", a swing j ...
" as a highlight. Phipps felt that the episode advanced the plotlines of the series and the development of its characters equally well, adding that it showed ''Twin Peaks'' "wasn't just a fleeting phenomenon but an honest-to-goodness great show".
''
AllRovi'' Andrea LeVasseur awarded the episode four stars out of five.
Daniel J. Blau of
Television Without Pity
Television Without Pity (often abbreviated TWoP) was a website that provided detailed recaps of select television dramas, situation comedies and reality TV shows along with discussion forums. These recaps were written with sarcastic criticism an ...
pointed out the sexual undertones of the episode, noting in particular Briggs and Shelley's playing with a pistol as clear phallic imagery. However, Blau was heavily critical of Marshall's acting, finding his performance to be a "train wreck".
Notes
Footnotes
Bibliography
*
*
External links
*
{{Twin Peaks
1990 American television episodes
Twin Peaks (season 1) episodes
Television episodes directed by Lesli Linka Glatter
Television episodes written by Mark Frost