10 Greatest Villain Introductions In TV History

7. Bob - Twin Peaks

Breaking Bad Gus
ABC

David Lynch got Twin Peaks' single most terrifying moment out of the way early, when the show's pilot episode briefly introduced a vision of its overarching antagonist, the interdimensional entity known as Bob (Frank Silva).

Following Laura Palmer's (Sheryl Lee) murder, her mother Sarah (Grace Zabriskie) is understandably traumatised, and while she's still processing the news, Laura's best friend Donna (Lara Flynn Boyle) pays a visit.

In her grief, Sarah mistakes Donna for her daughter, and as she gives her a firm embrace, has a brief-but-bone-chilling vision of a grey-haired man, Bob, hiding out in Laura's bedroom, as sends her into uncontrollable hysteria.

We only see Bob's face for about two seconds, but it's so unexpected, and he cuts such a piercing gaze directly through the viewer, combined with Sarah's blood-curdling scream, that it taps into something deeply primal.

As tough as it is to picture anybody else in the role of Bob, Frank Silva's initial involvement in front of the camera was a pure accident - he was a set dresser working on the show who Lynch decided to include as on-screen talent on a complete whim.

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Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.