Well, this is interesting to me. I know that we've expressed our unpopular opinions here, and I know that throughout the board we've all talked about favorite/best episodes and revealed unexpected favorites and made arguments for and against others. So I'm aware that there are some who would make a case for episodes that are usually regarded as "lesser." Just as I am aware that many of the episodes in a certain stretch are usually thought of as weak, even if there's no real consensus over just which one or two are the absolute weakest.Agent Earle wrote: ↑Thu Jul 08, 2021 2:10 am I can't see how anyone would prefer episodes 18-20 over 21-25, what with the excess of goofiness and a general sense of aimlessness (that's somewhat eased only by Jean Renault arc, which is great) about them. Eps 21-25 (and really also the last third of E20, which is Twin Peaks at its all-time high), on the other hand, is where the stakes are starting to get high with the arrival of Cooper's archnemesis opening up as-of-then unknown aspects of the hero's past that would eventually contribute to his fateful failure. Plus there's the excellent Josie/Eckhardt subplot and the most welcome reappearance of Bob during those eps, indicating he's still very much a force to be reckoned with. But to each their own.
That said, I've mentioned at least three times on this board that I've come to the conclusion across my past few viewings that episodes 20 - 22 are the only ones I would say are actually bad. So right there, I've already basically said that I prefer 18 and 19 to 21 and 22. This isn't meant to be an argument, of course, especially since I can't fully remember what or how things happen within these episodes. I just know, for a fact, that my opinion suddenly and forcefully solidified across my past three viewings, without fail and without intention to prove anything, that 20 - 22 were the weakest, to the point that I'm surprised anyone would feel differently. Which is just to say that I'm genuinely curious to hear your argument about why I'm wrong or what I've missed! Which I will then take into my next viewing with me.
In advance, I will say that I like the Jean stuff just fine, so if that's what ends 20, I have no disagreement there. I think my complaint lies with the James/Evelyn stuff dragging well into those episodes, and everything else reverberating and feeling similarly like a neverending, downward spiraling slog. I'll also clarify that to say that for me, it's less about what's happening--maybe there is some interesting stuff going on, as you've already pointed out--but rather how it's happening, how it feels. It all just feels...not good. So please, tell me what you're seeing and what I should be looking for and where you'd agree or disagree.