First off, if you're big fan and you don't have the book called The Secret History of Twin Peaks, you are IMO missing out big time. Again, just my opinion, but a great deal of Season 3 will not make a lot of sense without this book, and it goes along ways towards clarifying Seasons 1-2 and FWWM. The good news is that's extremely well produced, a lot of fun to read and peruse, and isn't that much money for what it is.
The whole idea is that The Secret History was collected/written by Major Briggs, and later recovered by the FBI Blue Rose group and then given to Tammy Preston to go through and sort out. It spans over 100 years and goes far a wide in its scope. It "ends" right before the timeline of Season 3 begins, though the content itself mostly stops after season 2. I won't detail it any further because many here already have it I assume.
OK, so there was always going to be a followup to the Secret History, called The Final Dossier, which just came out this week. It is meant to exist about a year after the end of Season 3 I believe. It's not as large as the Secret History, and sort of more straight forward, but still very well done just as the first. In any case, towards the end of The Final Dossier, there is about as definitive an answer as to what went down in Episode 17 as we're ever going to get. It also details and confirms many assumptions about Ep. 8 as far as who we see etc.
I'm not sure if I should just quote the key paragraphs verbatim, or leave it to more people to discover for themselves. I will leave it up other members as to what they'd like to hear or see, and go from there.
Agree agree! I read it all in two sittings. Stayed up till 2 am finishing it. The conclusion had my heart racing. The chapters address key characters and their life stories. Leo. Shelly. Audrey. Ben. James. Norma. ANNIE! HARRY! Major Briggs. The ones that matter. A few are left out like the Ashley Judd character and her sick husband...oh well... but what a treat. Great psychological analysis of what makes Cooper tick...a nuanced discussion of the difference between a tulpa and a doppelganger with a sharp nod to Jung...
Obviously, you can say this isn't definitive. It's one version. It leaves out enough to keep asking questions. It provides room for prequels and sequels, if wanted.
Right! there is a lot in there to follow up on all the characters that didn't show up in the S3!
The interesting aspect of Donna's timeline is that, to me, it appears relate at least a little to the career arc of Laura Flynn Boyle, though more of a negative one. In the book Donna pretty much crashes and burns in her rise to stardom, which Boyle does not. Anyway- so much good stuff in there to help bring it all together.
It also "sort of" clarifies what's up with Audrey. I mean, from what he writes, she really was married to an odd book keeper fellow, so maybe all that arguing and whatnot was just a very strange and tedious insight into her life at this point. But... it also does parallel the alternate timeline possibility that we see with Laura (see below).
But by far the biggest reveal in the book has to do with Laura Palmer. Essentially, the book acknowledges the theory of a true alternate timeline that has been generated by Agent Cooper's attempt to save Laura on the night she was killed. To be sure it does not answer everything, but it does put this out there: Cooper did in fact save her from being murdered. This is acknowledged as the timeline that residents of the town gave to Tammy when she interviewed them, and verified by archived newspaper accounts. But for the people of Twin Peaks this alternative timeline wasn't actually a better one, because in it she just "disappeared" without any trace. This disappearance ended up doing almost the same long-term damage to her family, friends and community. And, as we saw, it's not like things went all that well for Laura herself either...
I haven't read either of them; I've had TSOTP sitting at home for months, not sure whether I want more answers or not.
But I just read the first post (which had no spoilers, thank you), and I'm confused:
Does the Final Dossier take place before or after Season 3? I mean, is it written from the perspective of someone before or after Season 3 events occur?
And if I read these books, will I still be able to revel in the mystery-laden Lynch version of all things, or does Frost defuse it all?
I'd want to learn about Donna and Audrey and Briggs betwee S2 and S3, but I kinda don't want to learn anything about Sarah post-S3 unless I SEE it on film from Lynch.
Is this a NO SPOILERS thread? Or should I avoid until reading the book?
I haven't been around here for a couple of weeks. Terrible weather in Northeastern US and had no power for a while. SO I am very behind at this site. My Final Dossier just arrive, so I think I will wait again--it looks like a lot of possible spoiler threads here.
I just wanted to say that I am very glad the energy is still here, and look forward to joining in again!
Well- the books are like having an encyclopedia "out there" for the show. They are meant to be an adjunct to the shows. So as far as spoilers, I don't know exactly. I can retract my last post if you feel like it is in some way a spoiler though. On the other hand, if Lynch or Frost were in an interview and let drop any sort of clarification as to the ending, I assume most fans on this forum would want to hear about, right?
The Secret History came out before Season 3, The Final Dossier after. Neither are at all "novels" despite their having that as a designation when one buys them. There is no story-telling or linear narrative contained, as they are written as if they are true compendiums of information, letters, news articles, Federal testimony, diary entries, and FBI reports. Much of it leaves quite a bit open for interpretation too.
But to put it in perspective, I found the entry on Laura Palmer in less than five minutes after I opened the Amazon box, you know? Certainly that's not the sole reason I bought it; i.e. just to read some kind of explanation for the series finale, but I was hoping there would be something to address it. Either way it's really cool all the way through, and I encourage any fan of the show to check it out. Both books make the show that much richer, and I still haven't even read more than half the entries in the second one.
Moved this thread to the TFD forum.
If you want to add (potential spoilers) to my title go right ahead as I can see it being thought of that way. I can't edit the title or previous posts so... Don't want to annoy anyone or "spoil" anyone's own discoveries!
I haven't read either of them; I've had TSOTP sitting at home for months, not sure whether I want more answers or not.
But I just read the first post (which had no spoilers, thank you), and I'm confused:
Does the Final Dossier take place before or after Season 3?
It tells the story of certain characters - after Season 2.
I mean, is it written from the perspective of someone before or after Season 3 events occur?
Before.
And if I read these books, will I still be able to revel in the mystery-laden Lynch version of all things, or does Frost defuse it all?
Indeterminable. Kinda depends on you. 😉
I'd want to learn about Donna and Audrey and Briggs betwee S2 and S3,
Good.
but I kinda don't want to learn anything about Sarah post-S3 unless I SEE it on film from Lynch.
Then don't worry.
Hope this helps! 😉
- /< /\ /> -
Each chapter is like a little novel unto itself. I thought Donna's and Doc Hayward's story was well done. And agree that Lara Flynn Boyle seems a bit of an inspiration--as possibly Sherilyn Fenn's was for Audrey's (looking at her Twitter feed, I think she's had a bit of a rocky road).
Hi Jesse,I haven't read either of them; I've had TSOTP sitting at home for months, not sure whether I want more answers or not.
But I just read the first post (which had no spoilers, thank you), and I'm confused:
Does the Final Dossier take place before or after Season 3?
It tells the story of certain characters - after Season 2.
I mean, is it written from the perspective of someone before or after Season 3 events occur?
Before.
And if I read these books, will I still be able to revel in the mystery-laden Lynch version of all things, or does Frost defuse it all?
Indeterminable. Kinda depends on you. 😉
I'd want to learn about Donna and Audrey and Briggs betwee S2 and S3,
Good.
but I kinda don't want to learn anything about Sarah post-S3 unless I SEE it on film from Lynch.
Then don't worry.
Hope this helps! 😉
- /< /\ /> -
You learn things about Sarah, but not about Sarah post-season 3.
Fire walk with