10 Things We Learned From Twin Peaks: The Return Part 5
8. We Have Frank Silva (And Yet More Nightmare Fuel)
The relationship between Special Agent Dale Cooper and BOB was and remains complicated.
In contrast to the possession of - or collaboration with - Leland Palmer, BOB found his way back into the outside world using Cooper's doppelgänger. Lynch subsequently underscored that this was separate to the Leland possession, waters muddied by the reflection of BOB in the mirror in the original series finale, itself a reflection of the reveal of Laura Palmer's killer.
Those waters are muddied yet further - or diluted - when Mr. C gazes back at himself in his prison cell. We flashback to the last scene of the original series, as Cooper's doppelgänger smashes his forehead into the mirror. We then cut back to 2014, The reflection begins to alter its form, almost imperceptibly. Mr. C's nose elongates. His lips narrow. A flash of grey appears in his hairline. Just before the image snaps back into its original form, we are left with a grotesque and perfectly executed special effect of BOB and Mr. C sharing the same face - a horrifying Black Lodge chimera.
"You're still with me," Mr. C states. "That's good." The dialogue is interesting here. "With" suggests a certain collaboration, eschewing the sci-fi possession leanings of the divisive episode 16.
"Still" is equally intriguing. Agent Phillip Jeffries, or an entity impersonating him, told Mr. C in the premiere that he wants to be "with" BOB again. There is a war going on for BOB's affections.