The Essential Wrapped in Plastic
by John Thorne
 
At first I was worried. I read the author’s analysis of whether Twin Peaks should be categorized as a cult show, and I was a little bored. But the book was a good read, despite some flaws.
 
First, my quibbles.

• I get a little turned off when theorists go too far, which Thorne does, especially in the endless section where he makes a case that the movie’s prologue is a dream Cooper is having. It’s a stretch – he doesn’t present evidence so much as draw conclusions based on very little.
• His response to critics of Fire Walk With Me is basically to call them mean, without providing an intelligent riposte.
• I also thought he was a little too obsessed with how well the show adheres to the rules of chess and its episode-a-day plan.
• He praises Ray Wise’s atypically godawful work in episode 15, and he likes Lenny von Dohlen’s terrible acting.
• On a more trivial note, I disagree with him on the span of the season 2 slump – he says episodes 17-22, I say 15-21.
    
  But Thorne’s analysis of the episodes is quite sharp, and those are the meat of the book. He particularly sheds some light on the second season finale. And we’re in agreement on the worst episode, number 21, and the fact that Diane Keaton did a great job with hers. Far too many fans (and some critics) undervalue Mark Frost and/or assume he’s only responsible for the “normal” stuff, so I was happy to see Thorne give Frost his due. There are some great quotes from cast and crew. Kenneth Welsh is a hoot. And there’s a pretty great interview with Frank Silva.
    
  GRADE: B+