10 Things We Learned From Twin Peaks: The Return Part 6
9. We Know That Diane Is Real, And Who Is Playing Her
The decision made by David Lynch and Mark Frost not to reveal Diane - Agent Cooper's trusted confidant - during the original series led many to speculate that she didn't actually exist - that she was a manifestation of his quirky internal monologue. That theory, however, didn't explain how Diane managed to send him earplugs in the mail. Cooper had his affectations, but he wasn't a lunatic.
We now know for certain that Diane is real, and that favoured Lynch muse and acting powerhouse Laura Dern is playing her. Her appearance was brief, but indelible. In any other director's hands, you might fairly accuse the scene of dragging out the plot for the sole purpose of entrapping viewers. This was teased at the climax of Part 4, unmentioned in Part 5, and here, teased yet again.
In Lynch's, it was handled exquisitely; Gordon Cole, hilariously, sent Albert Rosenfield out in the pouring rain to track her down while he enjoyed a glass of Bordeaux, safely ensconced from the rain. Albert, soaked, was so infuriated he resented that "motherf*cker" Gene Kelly's ability to dance in it. Two charming character moments propped up what was essentially a minor reveal.
Diane's hair is...unusual - pristine and glossy, a bright white bob cut with surgical precision. The style and the colour evoked both the name and visage of BOB and his old vessel, Leland Palmer.
You shudder to think why Diane stares at the bottom of a glass every night.