List of Twin Peaks episodes
Twin Peaks is an American surrealist mystery-horror drama television series created by David Lynch and Mark Frost whose pilot was first released in September 1989; the series spans 48 episodes over three seasons. The show's original run, which comprises two seasons and 30 episodes, premiered on April 8, 1990, on ABC in the United States and ended on June 10, 1991. ABC canceled the original run due to declining ratings in the second season. The show's third season, consisting of 18 episodes, was announced in October 2014 and premiered on Showtime on May 21, 2017. The pilot and season 2 premiere are each 94 minutes long, while every other episode is approximately 45 minutes. Most episodes of the third season are approximately 60 minutes.
Twin Peaks follows FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper, who is sent to the fictional town of Twin Peaks, Washington, to investigate the murder of popular and respected high school student Laura Palmer. A feature-length prequel film, Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me, was released on August 28, 1992, and depicts the events leading up to Laura's death.
Both original seasons of Twin Peaks were released on DVD in the U.S., the first season in 2001 by Republic Pictures Entertainment/Artisan Home Entertainment and the second season in 2007 by Paramount Pictures Home Entertainment/CBS DVD. A DVD box set, The Definitive Gold Box Edition, was released on October 30, 2007, and included additional features. The original series and the feature-length film were released together on Blu-ray with even more material on July 29, 2014.
Series overview
Episodes
Season 1 (1990)
The first season originally aired on ABC in the United States between April 8 and May 23, 1990, consisting of eight episodes.The feature-length pilot, originally released in September 1989, opens with the discovery of the plastic-wrapped body of high school student Laura Palmer, an event that profoundly impacts the residents of the small town of Twin Peaks, Washington. With the help of local sheriff Harry S. Truman, FBI agent Dale Cooper investigates the murder, meeting the town's quirky residents and uncovering disturbing secrets.
Season 2 (1990–91)
The second season originally aired on ABC in the United States between September 30, 1990, and June 10, 1991, consisting of 22 episodes.Before the season began, a companion book, The Secret Diary of Laura Palmer, was published, several entries from which were featured during the season. In February 1991, Bob Iger, president of ABC Entertainment, announced plans to put Twin Peaks on hiatus. In May, Iger said, "it's unlikely that Twin Peaks will return". The series was ultimately cancelled after its second season, leaving it on a cliffhanger ending.
The season continues Cooper's investigation of Laura's murder and explores the elusive "Black Lodge", which may hold the key to the events occurring in Twin Peaks. After receiving clues from a mysterious giant who appears to him in a dream and investigating a second murder, Cooper discovers the identity of Laura's killer. After the FBI suspends Cooper for participating in an unauthorized raid on One Eyed Jacks, his insane former partner, Windom Earle, arrives in Twin Peaks to confront him.