So like most of you, I'm been thinking a lot about what the hell did that ending mean and what to make of it in general.
This is my first post on this forum but have been following/lurking since the first two episodes of 'The Return' and have loved reading through all of the theories and speculations thus far.
Something struck me while watching episode 18 with the whole feel and atmosphere of the episode and setting, it's just unlike any of the other episodes. The feels flat and well frankly more real! This got me thinking that everything we have come to know and love about twin peaks is the product of the characters dreams and fantasies.
When Cooper and Diane travel through the portal or area by the pylons they essentially wake up from this dream world, they are essentially in the reality where they exist. The sex scene leading to when Diane/Linda leaves for good is because of what she experienced in the dream world (i.e. rape by Mr C). She remembers who she really is (Linda) but regardless of it being just a dream, she can't forget the bad things that happened, even though it was just a dream.
Other clues leading to believe this is the diner 'Judy's' and Laura being an employee here. These places and names exist in the real world, that take on different identities and meaning in the dream. Cooper is the dreamer, he subconsciously knows this is where he will find Laura as he still thinks he's in the dream. What we have been experiencing throughout this whole season is the dream from mostly his perspective. His vivid imagination and the character of the 'Hero' Agent Cooper, as well as the villain, are all but a fantasy, a dream and a nightmare.
The scream ending is also tied in here too as when Laura has no memory of the house or area but after she looks at the house for sometime remembers a nightmare that she had where she is Laura Palmer and all the terrible things that occurred in this nightmare.
Cooper/Richard when they arrive in Odessa still thinks he is in the dream and wants to prove to himself that what he experienced was all real.
Twin Peaks, the lodges, Cooper, Laura Palmer's murder, Dougie's life and family. It is all a dream.
What do you think?
Could it maybe be the fireman's dream?
Possibly. I think the fireman is more of a God like character in that world, who oversees everything.
I actually think that the Twin Peaks world is everybody's dream but the fate and consequences are the same for everyone. We're just seeing it from Dale's POV.
Other characters that I feel add this theory are.
Freddy and his super human strength
Audrey who after her dance scene knows that she's dreaming and wanted Charlie to 'Get her out of here'
Bob and the Mother being the incarnation of pure evil
The Las Vegas police force being very cartoonish and not taking things seriously
Jerry Horne just being completely bonkers all the time
Bobby when he sees the sick girl in the car, it was one of those scenes he seemed confused about and like something that could only happen in a crazy dream
Red's impossible seeming magic tricks with Richard
Everyone in the road house who we've experienced random conversations with
Yes it seems to me that the alternate dimension exists in the nighttime (switch to nighttime when crossing that point) and that it shows in the roadhouse with everyone's different conversations and personal emotions.
I typed two different responses to the OP but erased them both because I couldn't be certain I believed them.
I think it's a pretty sound theory. For my own enjoyment of the story I would substitute "dream" for "alternate reality" to explain some of it though.
At the end of the showdown in the sheriff's office, Cooper acted as if he knew he was in a dream, saying to everyone there something like "things will be different, I hope to see you all again some day."
Norma and Big Ed's happy ending seemed like a dream. Certainly other parts of the story did as well.
Was none of it real? As someone who followed the story and developed attachments to many of the characters, I hope most of it was. But ultimately, what difference does it make? A story is a story.
There are so many different ways to approach this. Impressive.
Your explanation brought me peace, having just watched part 18 I was confused and upset by the ending but after reading your post I get it!!! Thank you
Yes, you're right, alt-reality is more of a likely. Or even several realities. Cooper asks Diane if she remembers everything. I can't help but think that like Laura, Cooper has lived or been to more than one of these realities and understands at least some of them.
When Cooper asks Diane if she remembers everything. I can't help but think that like Laura, Cooper has lived or been to more than one of these realities and understands at least some of them.
So the reality/non-dream place they cross over to in episode 18, Cooper doesn't realise it's a different place yet. This is why before they crossed that line he told Diane to kiss him as it might be different, hence the realisation when he asks Laura/Carrie at the end what year it is. Is he waking up to the fact that they have entered a different world on a different timeline? and is Carrie coming to the realisation that she has also been there before!
Jennie Hoon thank you :).
This might not be the most logical explanation to what went on but I do think there is some truth in my theory.
Finally! some people here who actually understand some of what this show about. Agree with all that the OP stated. I think that there are several themes that Lynch tackled with this season, maybe the most important being domestic violence. That whole ending sequence when Cooper finds Laura (or really finds Carrie Page) all the way thru her final scream after hearing the couple yelling in the house (and soon after killing her own husband in her house) just speaks to me as Lynch's take against domestic violence. Plus, I believe that there are many other examples to go on about this... not the least Sarah Palmer's getting rid of the guy at the bar.
So it also appears that the lady who resides in the Palmer house is the actual owner of the house in real life. Does this confirm that the world they cross over too is the real world or at least the reality I'm typing in right now!
Wow, that would quite frankly be a genius ending to this all
Found this https://ozba.wordpress.com/2017/08/31/twin-peaks-audrey-billy-and-living-inside-a-dream/
It echoes my original theory to a certain extent but explains it much better. I'm actually convinced this is exactly what is going on. The deal breaker for me.
Gordon/David Lynch's dream scene
Coopers face superimposed over scenes in episode 17
The use of the actual house owner at the end of episode 18
It all makes complete sense to me! We're all the dreamer!
I think that Cooper and Laura are co-dreamers. But, only one can be fully awake at a time and, only one can be fully dreaming at a time. When one is fully awake, the other is fully dreaming, and vice versa. Laura is awakening from Carrie (dream state) in episode 18, and Cooper is falling asleep to Richard (dream state).
Your theory is as good as any. I myself don't have a comprehensive idea of "what it all means." But the fourth wall was shattered so David Lynch and Mark Frost are, ultimately, "the dreamers." Nostalgia for our beloved characters now seems pointless as they are not real, not real even in the (new) context of this fictional world(s) of Twin Peaks.
The only thing I know for absolute sure is that I'm not the dreamer- because the story would have ended very, very differently.
I think that Cooper and Laura are co-dreamers. But, only one can be fully awake at a time and, only one can be fully dreaming at a time. When one is fully awake, the other is fully dreaming, and vice versa. Laura is awakening from Carrie (dream state) in episode 18, and Cooper is falling asleep to Richard (dream state).
I got a different take. I think at the point that Richard (who thinks he is Dale Cooper) walks out of the motel that everything that follows is reality. I think much of what we have seen this season are the dreams of many... including Audrey, Richard, Linda, Cole. I think Richard is bewildered and confused and thinks he is Cooper.... in both his dreams and in reality.
Fire walk with