Twin Peaks - Definitive Gold Box Edition [DVD] (Slimline Packaging) [1990]

I first watched Twin Peaks when it was originally broadcast back around 1991, I was still at school but always remembered it clearly. Probably the first American drama series I saw and considered to be an influence for many of the dramas that have been produced since.It had everything I enjoyed, strong, layered characters, excellent acting, great music, plots, sub plots and more well plots, to the point where at times I didn't always understand what was going on but it got people talking, created a buzz.It begins with the murder of local female, Laura Palmer. Agent Cooper an FBI agent arrives to take control, aided by the local sheriff Harry Truman. From that moment on, slowly the story unravels drawing you in. Plots begin to unfold, sub plots spring up and a deep, layered story evolves, everything really is not what it seems. There are an array of brilliant characters, well acted, some of the smaller stand outs are the "Log Lady", yes the log does talk, allegedly and "Bob" who is pivotal to the story.There is an air of supernatural, strange force, complete weirdness in and around Twin Peaks, the local woodland an area that locals speak of with trepidation. Sometimes characters will act out or scenes will play out in such a way I was left with a "what the" thought in my head, plain weird but brilliant all the same.The music is excellent, the theme tune is well known but there are other musical pieces that compliment scenes and the story very well. Its well commented that series two doesn't pan out as well as the first, some people say it lost its way, I can understand why, if anything it gets weirder. However all in all it is an enjoyable, stand out series, both of them that still stands out as one of the best ever.In addition to this I have purchased the Secret Diary of Laura Palmer (book) and also the prequel to this boxset, Fire Walk With Me (DVD), both flesh out the life of Laura Palmer and the events leading up to the first episode in this boxset, give you a great understanding of her life. But, watch this first.

even to someone who doesn't actually watch much of it and at last the whole series in one instead of being split.If you have already seen it or own season 1, the reason to have it is for the whole uninterrupted saga, being eight years between the first season release and this.If you haven't seen it then the series is undoubtedly one of the strangest yet classic television series ever made. The characters are unique and iconic and the Laura Palmer murder storyline compelling and easily surpasses who shot JR.The episodes up to the conclusion of the storyline, which Lynch has said should never have happened but was forced by the network to do, is compelling 'I'll just watch one more' and being able to watch 2-3 at a time uninterrupted is a pleasure.After this it undoubtedly loses its way, with only flashes of excellence in the Windom Earle storyline. It isn't difficult to find praise for the last 3 episodes on the Internet, but for me the second half of the series pales against the first and if it hadn't existed I wouldn't have missed it.The remastered picture quality is excellent played on a bluray with upscale and a 40 inch LCD. Comments on the colour tone by others are lost on me, I am not analysing it that much and it certainly looked good on a screen unlikely to have been envisaged for it to be played on 20 years ago.There are Log Lady introductions that can be played before each episode, which I didn't as they are as cryptic as her character is supposed to be, and various other extras.I am not an extras person and having viewed most of them have not changed my opinion. The deleted scenes are nothing special and other short documentaries and stills galleries are a view once and never again for me.I haven't scored them as I bought it for the series, so standard extras disappointment does not sway my opinion at all.This is the third time I have watched this series in 14 years, from memory only twice all the way through, and I will now put it away for 3-4 years to come back then and start all over again.You may not understand it and sometimes it does get silly, but ignore this and you have one of the best pieces of television ever made. And if you see Fire Walk With Me expect to be more not less confused.