10 Things We Learned From Twin Peaks: The Return Part 16

2. How To Do Nostalgia

Twin Peaks The Return Cooper
Showtime

Audrey finally made it to the Roadhouse, hilarious husband Charlie in tow.

Eddie Vedder - billed under his real name of Edward Louis Severson - performed Out Of Sand, an achingly sweet sendoff to the Las Vegas plot. Audrey walked in. Charlie bought a martini on her behalf; an interesting choice, given the theories surrounding the character's agency. The idea that her world was somehow constructed rendered her appearance jarring. Lynch expertly massaged this notion as the MC introduced "Audrey's Dance."

The revellers moved as one to the side of the dance floor, allowing Audrey her moment. She swayed to the iconic number in a more knowing reverie. A grin flashed across her face. It felt like Twin Peaks, or a wink in its direction, at least. It also felt off. The prior appearance of James Hurley singing "Just You" subverted the fantasy as potentially real. Still, it was off. Audrey didn't so much look lost in a daydream as she did helpless, her arms jutted out in an approximation of remembering, not feeling. Like last week's Roadhouse sequence, it was pure film - a fusion of nostalgia and complete unease.

It was off because it was meant to be off...

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!