10 Things We Learned From Twin Peaks: The Return Part 13

8. RIP, 'That F*cker Ray'

13 Mr C Renzo
Showtime

Ray will be much missed - and unlike the premature obituaries of Johnny Horne and Miriam Sullivan, he is as dead as a doornail; Mr. C shot him in the forehead, blood poured beneath him, and he descended to the Black Lodge.

We learn, or rather receive expository confirmation, that Phillip Jeffries, or a man/entity impersonating him - as was hinted - hired Ray to kill Mr. C. Ray has served his purpose. The "buddy" gag was as sick as the suddenness of the gun shot which opened a hole in Ray's head.

This is another sensational performance from Kyle MacLachlan. This is no stock villain caricature. He is the gut-punching antithesis to Dale Cooper's radiance; a husk of humanity, a true doppelgänger. Mr. C, after obtaining the wanted information, instructs Ray to wear the Owl Cave ring into which he mysteriously came in possession. The wearer dooms themselves into the Black Lodge. Jeffries had instructed Ray to put it on. This was subverted in an hour of cinema that revelled in subversion - but not before a curious mention of "the Dutchman's". Where that is is unknown - but given the supernatural bent of the conversation, a place both wonderful strange beckons.

Ray will be missed. George Griffith played a classic Lynchian pr*ck ("I see you haven't touched your three meals"). His death at least sets in motion the final act; Mr. C is now in possession of the coordinates.

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!