10 Things We Learned From Twin Peaks: The Finale
6. One Happy(ish) Ending
Dougie Jones was the heart and soul of The Return. Everybody, even those enamoured with the storyline, focused not on the hole but on the donut of when Cooper was to wake up.
Dougie's refined tulpa, at least, received a happy ending; as promised, (a part of) Cooper entered through the red door of Lancelot Court, greeted by Janey-E and Sonny Jim. It was nice, if artificial and hollow - but as pat as it was, if read with a degree of optimism, some joy can be found within it. The following cannot be overstated: Kyle MacLachan's performance in The Return is one of the greatest acting performances across any medium ever. In the very brief glimpse we see of this second manifestation - seconds - we get a feel for its essence. This new Dougie isn't the beleaguered, miscreant dolt of old; he approaches the Red Room with a sense of wonder, if not understanding. When he arrives home, he says the word with a cherished, dumb glee. Later events support a reading that Cooper transferred his sense of wonder and good to the tulpa - sacrificing a part of himself in order to maintain a promise.
At least, that reading softens the crushing blow that is the subsequent journey into the heart of darkness.