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Last night, cherry pie aficionados and David Lynch devotees descended upon Vidiots in Eagle Rock, CA to celebrate Twin Peaks coming to MUBI. What better way to mark the occasion than with perhaps the strangest (and dare I say one of the most divisive?) hours of television to ever air?
Of course, I am talking about Twin Peaks: The Return “Part 8″ (aka “Gotta Light?”). The eighth episode in the show’s third season is a standout, not just in the realm of Twin Peaks but in television history as a whole. It’s Lynch unleashed; much of the episode is in black and white, and the majority of it plays out like a silent horror film. We won’t spoil anything here, but if you’re looking for vibes, this episode delivers in rich abundance.
Your humble Digital Editor (that’s me) hosted the special screening event, and it was a full-blown proper Lynchian party. Log ladies and lumberjacks filled the theater for a pre-screening celebration centered on Twin Peaks trivia and, of course, a costume contest.
No surprise here, the knowledge was plentiful in this crowd, and even the one question I wrote that I was worried might be a little too specific was met with a spot-on answer. Can you answer this episode 8 trivia question, word for word, without missing a beat?
What phrase is broadcast over the radio, causing listeners to fall unconscious?
“This is the water and this is the well. Drink full and descend. The horse is the white of the eyes and dark within.”
Not only was the answer given verbatim, but it was delivered with a poetic flourish. Only the best from Twin Peaks fans!
Which brings us to the costume contest. This audience was not fooling around with their elaborate in-universe fits. Costumes included a screen-accurate Log Lady, Big Ed Hurley with beer in hand, and a plastic-wrapped Laura Palmer. There were a couple of The Return nods in the mix, with Dougie Jones decked out in an iconic neon green blazer (with tie on head) and a very familiar (and elaborate) Woodsman from the “Gotta Light” episode.
There were some damn fine costumes on display, but ultimately, there could only be one winner. The runner-up prize went to The Woodsman, who took home a Fango prize pack. The grand prize Twin Peaks costume contest crown went to… definitely not Catherine Martell, but definitely a businessman, here for business. Definitely Not Catherine took home a FANGORIA annual subscription, our Twin Peaks mini issue, and FANGORIA #27 David Lynch subscriber exclusive cover, along with some extra goodies.
A huge thanks to our friends at Vidiots and MUBI for making this special presentation possible, and a massive thank you to all the awesome Twin Peaks fans in attendance. You all truly made it a night to remember.
All episodes of Twin Peaks will be available to stream on MUBI Friday, June 13, marking the 35th anniversary of David Lynch and Mark Frost’s cult classic. If you’re in LA, be sure to check out our friends at Vidiots, they’re doing great work in the community. And wherever you are, keep an eye out for upcoming FANGORIA screenings in your neck of the woods. We’d love to see you. Wishing you blue skies and golden sunshine all along the way.
For more, check out Scott Wampler’s interview with Trent Reznor about collaborating with David Lynch and “The Nine Inch Nails’” appearance in Twin Peaks: The Return.
