Ford

Here's a quick theory on the end of episodes 17-18. In episode 17 when Cooper's face superimposes against the screen it represents a split in time. We are allowed to see one of these splits play out with Cooper going back to the lodge with the purpose of fulfilling his plan to save Laura and find Judy (two birds-one stone). Going into the lodge he remembers the Fireman's clues (430, Richard and Linda, Two birds one stone). He eventually travels (as Cooper) the 430 miles to some rip in time. When he enters the rip in time, he and Diane split. This is evidenced by Diane seeing another image of herself and the fact that at the hotel Cooper says things could change. In the hotel, we no longer are seeing Cooper - it is Richard. Richard doesn't remember the things the Giant told him, this is why he is so baffled by the note left in the morning. He only has a vague memory of himself, and some conditioned objective to find "Laura Palmer". We see Richard's personality change in the hotel, because he is a different person. Eventually they wind up at Laura's house and the ending. What we don't see, is that "Richard", conditioned to find Judy, and having already found Laura, will continue to lose his identity as Cooper and end up being Mr. C who will go back into the lodge and become Mr. C. Mr. C who has a conditioned need to find Judy for some unknown reason, which is a remnant of Cooper's original plan.

I wonder if there's any chance we get Truman back. That would be amazing.

That episode made me feel good in so many places!!!

During that long build up walking Mr. C to Philip Jefferies I was hoping against hope that Lynch had somehow gotten a few moments of the Goblin King.

I think you're right with it being a push button.

Re: use of rotary phone by Audrey's husband. Jane-E used a yellow rotary phone in their kitchen back in episode 2 or 3.

Few quick thoughts/questions: The scene with Gordon, Tammy, Albert and Diane was so Red Room. Who was was in the house with Sarah Palmer? Was as a good bit of the Dr. Amp scene a replay of the first? Good of to see Audrey, but didn't follow any of the dialogue. Still completely lost on the story.

I don't believe I've torn anyone down. I've put my opinion out there to be challenged and taken the opportunity to engage other opinions. I'm fine if you like the show.

It's a fair point, but I fully acknowledge my judgment could change. I'm just expressing my frustration to this point.

But there is a difference between someone having full creative control over the entire run of something, being able to start and finish where they choose, over and against a show having an unsatisfactory ending because a network decided to cancel. If we just get a ton of loose ends because Lynch doesn't care or has no interest in bringing them to conclusion than that would be incredibly disappointing. It's the same thing Lost has been eviscerated for.

I'm kind of ambivalent on Lynch. I respect his work, but I can't say I'm a huge fan. I enjoyed Blue Velvet and Mullholand Dr. I think for a television series, my sensibilities prefer Lynch in smaller quantities, perhaps that's why I enjoyed the original series because it didn't give him carte blanche. I think I prefer his work in cinema more than this, maybe that's because I have the full context of the work. I might feel better had the series been released all at once.

I get that some are excited by the unpredictable nature of the show. But does that come with an expectation that all these threads will eventually come toegether or are you ok if they are just left dangeling?

Yes, we all have opinions. But there is a distinction between my personal taste vs. something that has impact in some way which could be describe as "great" For example, one doesn't have to personally enjoy Citizen Kane (I do) to recognize its artistic significance and say that it's great. Alexander the Great doesn't have to be "great" in that he was a swell guy, but his cultural impact and influence are difficult to argue against. My issue with Lynch in general, and this season in particular, are that a good bit of the analysis I've read (not here) tend to be effusively complimentary and generally uncritical. I desperately want to love this season. I'm willing to give wide license to the creators. I do anticipate each week hoping something will click. It just hasn't. If it doesn't, so be it. If retrospective critical analysis of the show identifies enough relevance to deem it "great" than I can acknowledge that while simultaneously saying I didn't personally like it.

I agree that Lynch and Frost didn't need this. However, just because it's their vision, or that its unconventional, or "Lynchian" (if that has any real meaning) doesn't necessarily make it great.

Well, the response from Lost was a bit snarky as well. The observation that this season has been a jumbled mess in need of either an editor, fewer episodes, or both is a valid observation IMO. It's not having "your cake and eating it to" to expect some structure. We may not get it, but it's not unreasonable to want that in place. We can have differing opinions without being insulting to one another.