S1, E5: The One-Armed Man

Back to the Double R: A Twin Peaks Rewatch

This week’s super-sized installment is Season 1, Episode 5, “The One-Armed Man,” directed by Tim Hunter. Colin sees it as a love letter to film noir and the “double cross,” while Jennifer is captivated by the parallels with Hitchcock’s Psycho. Jonathan explores appetites and primal urges this week, and dives into Mike, the titular one-armed man. Damon analyzes Cooper’s relationship with local law enforcement, particularly with Sheriff Truman. We wrap up on David Lynch first appearance on the show, as Cooper’s FBI supervisor Gordon Cole.

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S1, E5 NOTES:

Bob Engels (episode writer)

Tim Hunter (episode director)

The River’s Edge (1986, film, directed by Tim Hunter)

Over the Edge (1979, film, co-written by Tim Hunter)

Gordon Cole (character played by David Lynch, shares a name with character in the 1950 film Sunset Boulevard)

One-Eyed Jacks (1961, film, directed by Marlon Brando)

Fargo (1996, film, written and directed by the Coen Brothers)

Mulholland Drive (2001, film, written and directed by David Lynch)

Psycho (1960, film, directed by Alfred Hitchcock)

Dutch angle (camera placement technique)

Blue Velvet (1986, film, written and directed by David Lynch)

Al Strobel (Philip Gerard, aka Mike, aka The One-Armed Man)

The Fugitive (1963-1967, ABC TV series)

KCRW David Lynch weather reports

Room to Dream (2019, book, by David Lynch and Kristine McKenna)

David Lynch: The Art Life (2016, film, multiple directors)