Richard and Linda, Lynch's Masterstroke (SPOILERS)

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aldiboronti
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Richard and Linda, Lynch's Masterstroke (SPOILERS)

Post by aldiboronti »

I have never before seen such masterful misdirection outside of the act of a skilled conjurer. All of us were fooled. Lynch kept us busy throughout the whole show weaving theories connecting Richard Horne with the Linda mentioned as living in the Fat Trout trailer-park. And all the time it was the wrong Richard and the wrong Linda. Lynch could well say with Ray, "Tricked ya, motherfucker!"

And it's clear now that he did much the same thing with a whole slew of minor characters. They weren't important to the plot at all, their stories were not relevant yet we all waited breathlessly for some resolution, some reveal to them. There was none. They were like Twin Peaks ghosts, added for atmosphere, with no purpose other than to mislead us.

The key question is whether Audrey was such a character. Would her story be told? As the Arm asked, is it about the little girl who lives down the lane? But answer to that question came there none. And probably never will.
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Dreamy Audrey
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Re: Richard and Linda, Lynch's Masterstroke (SPOILERS)

Post by Dreamy Audrey »

Making almost everything in Parts 1-16 irrelevant and starting the real story in Part 17 doesn't seem so masterful, in my opinion. He could have just made a 2-3 hour film about Cooper and Diane if that's what the actual story was about.
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Nikki Grace
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Re: Richard and Linda, Lynch's Masterstroke (SPOILERS)

Post by Nikki Grace »

Dreamy Audrey wrote:Making almost everything in Parts 1-16 irrelevant and starting the real story in Part 17 doesn't seem so masterful, in my opinion. He could have just made a 2-3 hour film about Cooper and Diane if that's what the actual story was about.
If I have one criticism about the show then it would probably be this; whether or not the earlier episodes feel important when I rewatch them knowing what happens in the final two. But, as a two hour movie, the finale is probably Twin Peaks at its very greatest - imo.
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Dreamy Audrey
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Re: Richard and Linda, Lynch's Masterstroke (SPOILERS)

Post by Dreamy Audrey »

I also want to add that the "two birds with one stone" comment doesn't even make sense in relation to Cooper and Diane, unless I missed something in the final episodes. If Cooper and Diane are the two birds, what or who his the stone? In my opinion, the comment would make much more sense in connection to Richard Horne and the theories that Richard and Linda are both Mr. C.'s children or that Richard and Linda will both die on the same stone, because in these cases you actually have two "birds" who are connected by one "stone". The way it was done in the series seems to me like misleading for the sake of misleading/twist without giving it much thought, so I really can't see anything masterful about that. It's just presenting us two completely unrelated things, anyone could do that.
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Re: Richard and Linda, Lynch's Masterstroke (SPOILERS)

Post by Cipher »

"Two birds, one stone" was how Cooper had apparently described his goals to Cole at some point off-screen during the events of the original series.

From my reading, the "two birds" are either saving Laura Palmer or solving her mystery, and defeating the enigmatic Judy at the center of the Blue Rose cases. He attempts to do the same thing in the finale.
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N. Needleman
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Re: Richard and Linda, Lynch's Masterstroke (SPOILERS)

Post by N. Needleman »

IMO Laura and Judy are the two birds. But I wonder whether Cooper finally conceived of his plan for the former during the original series. I personally seriously doubt that, unless it was just an idle pipe dream at the time (one that could've grown into obsession after 25 years in the Lodge).

Laura is obviously a counterpoint to Judy/BOB. But Cooper's way is not the way. She tells him "I am dead yet I live". He doesn't get it. He just wants her to physically live again on Earth.
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Framed_Angel
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Re: Richard and Linda, Lynch's Masterstroke (SPOILERS)

Post by Framed_Angel »

Cipher wrote:"Two birds, one stone" was how Cooper had apparently described his goals to Cole at some point off-screen during the events of the original series. From my reading, the "two birds" are either saving Laura Palmer or solving her mystery, and defeating the enigmatic Judy at the center of the Blue Rose cases. He attempts to do the same thing in the finale.
I don't get, then, if that's the theory: why Fireman would've included it among his "clues" to Cooper at the very opening scene of the season. Typically Fireman/ Giant has imparted advice or clues as they would usually be imparted, "new" items for Dale to keep in mind or watch for or whatever. Not quote something at him that Dale himself had said once. if he was hearing his own words quoted back at him, "two birds one stone,' why wouldn't Dale reply with "I remember" instead of "I understand"?

Clues are to be uncovered not recalled/ recovered. Suspension of disbelief and/ or certain conventions can only go so far.

In the same vein I didn't see why we had to listen to Green-glove kid unwind his whole tale of encountering the Fireman and not just be shown that encounter (show not tell). Then in Part 17, Cooper confirms he knew about Freddie ("Are you Freddie?") and it's assumed during Dale's time spent in the Lodge he'd become aware not only of Freddie but also his purpose... Fine, whatever.. Word of Freddie IMO ought to have been included among the various among Fireman's 'clues' during Part 1 as well, if the purpose of sharing that conversation with us viewers was to encourage us to pay attention.
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Re: Richard and Linda, Lynch's Masterstroke (SPOILERS)

Post by wxray »

Framed_Angel wrote: In the same vein I didn't see why we had to listen to Green-glove kid unwind his whole tale of encountering the Fireman and not just be shown that encounter (show not tell).
Because Lynch liked his accent.
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EZamor
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Re: Richard and Linda, Lynch's Masterstroke (SPOILERS)

Post by EZamor »

Framed_Angel wrote:
Cipher wrote:"Two birds, one stone" was how Cooper had apparently described his goals to Cole at some point off-screen during the events of the original series. From my reading, the "two birds" are either saving Laura Palmer or solving her mystery, and defeating the enigmatic Judy at the center of the Blue Rose cases. He attempts to do the same thing in the finale.
I don't get, then, if that's the theory: why Fireman would've included it among his "clues" to Cooper at the very opening scene of the season. Typically Fireman/ Giant has imparted advice or clues as they would usually be imparted, "new" items for Dale to keep in mind or watch for or whatever. Not quote something at him that Dale himself had said once. if he was hearing his own words quoted back at him, "two birds one stone,' why wouldn't Dale reply with "I remember" instead of "I understand"?

Clues are to be uncovered not recalled/ recovered. Suspension of disbelief and/ or certain conventions can only go so far.

In the same vein I didn't see why we had to listen to Green-glove kid unwind his whole tale of encountering the Fireman and not just be shown that encounter (show not tell). Then in Part 17, Cooper confirms he knew about Freddie ("Are you Freddie?") and it's assumed during Dale's time spent in the Lodge he'd become aware not only of Freddie but also his purpose... Fine, whatever.. Word of Freddie IMO ought to have been included among the various among Fireman's 'clues' during Part 1 as well, if the purpose of sharing that conversation with us viewers was to encourage us to pay attention.
It seems to be more like the Fireman reinforcing the goals. "Don't forget: 1) Go to the 430 mile marker; 2) Don't lose yourself in the 'Richard and Linda' personas; 3) the plan of accomplishing two objectives with the one action of going the bizarro world (and your words to Cole relating to the matter)."

"I understand."

In regards to #3, perhaps that involved some "time travelling" as well. Maybe Dale got that as a premonition, but at the time he told Cole, he wasn't completely sure what it meant. But he knew it would be important later (like Annie's words to Laura about the good Dale).
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Re: Richard and Linda, Lynch's Masterstroke (SPOILERS)

Post by BOB1 »

C'mon, but did really everyone think "Richard" would be Richard Horne? I, for one, didn't. As much as I didn't really care about Richard and Linda and what they'll turn out to be about, I was sure that attaching Richard Horne's name to it was something along the line of Bobby & Mike vs BOB and MIKE after Coop's dream in Ep.2.

To be honest, I didn't get what the actual Richard and Linda in the last part was supposed to mean. I take it that it was something of great importance but clearly I got lost on the way (even if I actually liked the scene when Cooper/Richard wakes up in the motel). Worst thing, I don't feel very inspired to analyse it and make theories. That's actually the saddest thing...
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