Mary Cox

TV REVIEW: TWIN PEAKS – S03 E12 – LET’S ROCK

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lets rock1.jpgDirector: David Lynch
Writers: Mark Frost
Stars: Kyle MacLachlan, Elizabeth Anweis, Chrysta Bell

Review by Mary Cox

This season of Twin Peaks is another testimony to Lynch’s commitment to diegetic sound and to silence. Every episode ending with a performance at the Roadhouse is an obvious example of how Lynch uses diegetic music in his work, but the previous two seasons played with this (in an arguably less successful way) through moments such as James’ weird and unnecessary performance of “Just You.” Silence is just as important as diegetic sound for Lynch when it comes to building tension in his scenes. Some of the more long and drawn-out moments from this episode, such as the exit of Gordon’s French Woman, are set against an empty audio backdrop to really highlight and exacerbate our feelings of frustration.

Lynch did decide to cut us a break with the dynamic return of Audrey Horne, although her interaction with her soon-to-be ex-husband still heavily plays into the theme of impatience and waiting that we’ve seen throughout the rest of the episode. While most of the characters are somewhat the same as they were twenty-five years ago, Audrey has evolved from a shit-stirring schoolgirl into a viciously unhappy adult. The true identity of “Billy” clearly is a mystery, but one thing that we do know for sure is that he’s not the same person as Richard Horne. There’s been no clear explanation as to how Audrey escaped from her coma, but we do learn from Benjamin Horne that Richard never had a father. This definitely provides evidence to the theory that Richard is actually the son of Bob Cooper, who we know was seen exiting Audrey’s hospital room towards the end of the second season.

After Grace Zabriskie gave us another incredible performance as Sarah Palmer in her stunning supermarket meltdown, the scene between Hank and Sarah has a small detail that you might not have caught initially. It’s worth mentioning that the new season of Twin Peaks is definitely more connected to Fire Walk With Me than you might think. When Hank visits Sarah’s house, we get a quick shot of the infamous ceiling fan that we know is heavily symbolic of Bob/Leland’s abuse of Laura. When we connect this particular imagery to the unusual sounds coming from inside Sarah’s house, it’s possible to interpret that there’s still some connection to Bob or to the Black Lodge inside the Palmer residence.

The theme of tonight’s episode, as well as within the the last few episodes in general, is a criticism of impatience, and a meditation on the notion that “good things come to those who wait.” We’ve seen this motif in past episodes, such as in Part 11’s screaming woman in traffic, and the Mitchum Brother’s frustration with Candie in Part 10. This depiction of impatience has continued in Part 12 through Albert’s frustration at Gordon over his long goodbye with the French Woman, and through Audrey’s temper tantrum while her ex-husband is on the phone. Even Hutch and Chantal’s conversation about killing the Warden comes back to not wanting to drag things out.

We have also seen patience be rewarded. In Part 9, Betty Briggs is rewarded for waiting a quarter of a century to give Major Briggs’ capsule to Bobby and the other Sheriffs. The Mitchum Brothers are rewarded with 30 million dollars (and a cherry pie) by showing patience in Part 11. As fans of the series, we all are desperate to know the truth about the Black and White lodges, and to see Cooper make a full return. Lynch knows how we feel, and is imploring us to show a little patience and to enjoy this series while it lasts. Like Gordon Cole says to Albert: there’s a fine Bordeaux right in front of you, so sit down and drink it.

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“Mary Cox is an entertainment writer from the United States. Her hobbies include making good beer and bad decisions, watching drag queens fight on the internet, and overanalyzing everything. Mary one day hopes to be the person shouting “World Star” in the back of a Waffle House brawl video. She is currently tolerating life in Toronto. You can follow her on Twitter at @M_K_Cox”t

GAME OF THRONES Season 7 EP3 Review: THE QUEEN’S JUSTICE

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the queens justice.jpgDaenerys and Jon meet. Cersei gains a new ally. Sansa receives an unexpected visitor. Sam is confronted for his actions.

Director: Mark Mylod
Writers: David Benioff, D.B. Weiss
Stars: Peter Dinklage, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Lena Headey

Review by Mary Cox

After seven long seasons of waiting, Daenerys’ plot has finally intersected with that of the Starks. Those who were hoping for an instant love affair between Jon and Dany must have been sorely disappointed. Some might be surprised by Daenerys’ open hostility towards Jon, but she is the Mother of Dragons after all. The need for good relations between the North and Dragonstone has obviously been increased by Daenerys’ military failures in her first foray into the Great Game, but will Jon repeat the diplomatic mistakes of Ned Stark, or will he take after his (alleged) bio-dad, Rhaegar Targaryen?

This was another episode jam-packed with dramatic deaths that highlight the differences between Jaime and Cersei Lannister. Before her death by poison, Olenna castigated Jaime for his overwhelming pussy-blindness, and forescasted his eventual downfall at the hands of Cersei. Even though it’s sad to see her go, it’s rewarding knowing that Olenna went out with a bang by confessing that she was behind Joffrey’s death at the Purple Wedding.

What’s notable here is the difference in diplomacy between the last two Lannisters in King’s Landing. Cersei’s brutal execution of Ellaria and Tyene Sand is miles apart from how Jaime handles his murder of Olenna. It seems that even though the Targaryens are back on the scene, Cersei is the one who is following in the steps of Aerys, the Mad King. As we all know, those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it. As the Kingslayer, Jaime Lannister is no stranger to cutting down an out-of-control monarch, but does he have the ability to make that call when it comes to his sister wife?

 

 

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“Mary Cox is an entertainment writer from the United States. Her hobbies include making good beer and bad decisions, watching drag queens fight on the internet, and overanalyzing everything. Mary one day hopes to be the person shouting “World Star” in the back of a Waffle House brawl video. She is currently tolerating life in Toronto. You can follow her on Twitter at @M_K_Cox”t

TV REVIEW: RICK AND MORTY – S03 – E02 – Rickmancing the Stone

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rickandmorty1.jpgRick, Morty, and Summer travel to a post-apocalyptic dimension and meet some dangerous enemies.

Directors: Dominic Polcino, Wesley Archer
Writers: Dan Harmon (created by), Justin Roiland (created by)
Stars: Justin Roiland, Chris Parnell, Spencer Grammer

Review by Mary Cox
 
After the April Fools surprise of the first episode of the season being leaked early, Rick and Morty is finally back and on a clear release schedule. Tonight’s episode has Morty and Summer trying to cope with their parent’s divorce by escaping into a Mad Max-type post-apocalyptic desert world to try and work through their emotional issues. Morty deals with his unresolved anger at his father through his mutant arm in a refreshing take on the “enchanted armor overpowering its user” trope. On the other hand, Summer unsuccessfully dives headfirst into a relationship to try and fill the void in her life caused by her family breaking apart.

It’s interesting how Summer is taking such an active role in her adventures with Rick while Morty has historically been hesitant to participate. As much as this episode made it seem like Morty and Summer are over their parent’s divorce after their return from the Apocalypse world, it does seem like this particular emotional thread is going to continue throughout the rest of the series.

A lot of time has been spent establishing that Jerry and Beth’s relationship was toxic and codependent, so it feels like a step in the right direction for them to get divorced. However, their separate lives that were showcased in the first Intergalactic TV episode seem to imply that despite their issues, Beth and Jerry are better off together. We’ll have to wait and see how this dynamic plays out in future episodes.

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“Mary Cox is an entertainment writer from the United States. Her hobbies include making good beer and bad decisions, watching drag queens fight on the internet, and overanalyzing everything. Mary one day hopes to be the person shouting “World Star” in the back of a Waffle House brawl video. She is currently tolerating life in Toronto. You can follow her on Twitter at @M_K_Cox”t

TV REVIEW: UNBREAKABLE KIMMY SCHMIDT – SEASON 3

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kimmy season 3.jpgA woman is rescued from a doomsday cult and starts life over again in New York City.

Creators: Robert Carlock, Tina Fey
Stars: Ellie Kemper, Jane Krakowski, Tituss Burgess

Review by Mary Cox

Tina Fey’s award-winning Netflix Original series is back with a brand new season. The dialog is just as tight and consistent as it has been in the past, and Kimmy’s life is just as kooky and her friends are just as goofy as they were before, but that’s kind of the problem: Kimmy Schmidt isn’t bringing anything new to the table, and what it is serving up isn’t that appetizing.

Titus, who normally acts as a supporting character in the series, has some moments in this season where you initially think he’s going to be forced to grow as a person and to make hard choices. After fleeing from his cruise ship job, he returns to New York where he makes a difficult decision about his relationship with Mikey. However, Titus’ mission to be more responsible with his relationships is absolutely ruined by his actions at the end of the episode “Kimmy Bites an Onion.”

Titus’ plot arc encapsulates my major beef with Season 3 of Kimmy Schmidt: nobody grows, nothing changes, and at the end of the day, nothing that happens this season really matters. It feels like the writers are hesitant to encourage growth or development with these characters, because there’s this ongoing futility of Kimmy’s actions that overshadows the entire season.

Kimmy’s struggle to seek higher education is pointless, as an obnoxious Hand of God moment at the very end of the last episode gives Kimmy a plum position at a tech firm. It’s unsatisfying because Kimmy has done absolutely nothing to earn this position. Jaqueline’s plot to rename the Washington Redskins resolves much too early in the season, and the fallout after Russ is accepted back into his family is profoundly unsatisfying.

While this series has previously addressed social issues, this season puts more effort into making a platform where bigger topics can be discussed. However, the way these topics are discussed is sometimes a little questionable. Lillian’s fight to represent East Dogmouth comes off as weirdly pro-gentrification in it’s framing and delivery. Xanthippe’s Columbia adventures seem to defend the idea that privilege is something that we should be entitled to abuse, and that the idea of sexual consent is laughable. Fey’s depiction of Millennial feminists is drastically out-of-touch at best, and actually insulting at worst.

Also, this season tends to sweep Kimmy’s emotional issues under the rug in favor of highlighting the shenanigans of her sidekicks. Kimmy Schmidt has the unique position of being a show that prominently features a female character who is a survivor of serious trauma and abuse. In Season 2, the series explored Kimmy’s PTSD in a way that felt honest and real, but Season 3 puts Kimmy’s trauma in the backseat and barely even acknowledges her past.

Ultimately, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt is still an entertaining series, but there’s some love lost in this new season. Hopefully Fey can pull things around by the premiere of Season 4.

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“Mary Cox is an entertainment writer from the United States. Her hobbies include making good beer and bad decisions, watching drag queens fight on the internet, and overanalyzing everything. Mary one day hopes to be the person shouting “World Star” in the back of a Waffle House brawl video. She is currently tolerating life in Toronto. You can follow her on Twitter at @M_K_Cox”

TV REVIEW: TWIN PEAKS – SEASON 3 – EPISODE 11

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twinpeakspart11.jpgTwin Peaks Part 11: There’s Fire Where You’re Going

Director: David Lynch
Writers: Mark Frost
Stars: Kyle MacLachlan, Mädchen Amick, Dana Ashbrook

Review by Mary Cox

Something strikes me as odd about this whole Dougie plot line. We know he’s being heavily aided by Mike and his friends in the White Lodge, but there’s something not quite believable or right about what’s happening in the life of Dougie Jones. His narrow escape from death at the hands of the Mitchums, followed by a joyous pie-eating celebration where Cooper is championed as a hero, pushes the boundaries of believability. Considering that Dougie Coop has been Mr. Magoo-ing his way in and out of danger all season, it initially might seem kind of ridiculous at this point to assume that what we’re seeing isn’t really happening. However, this wouldn’t be the first time that Lynch has experimented with an idealized fantasy narrative as an escape for his characters that occupies the bulk of a story. I’m reminded a lot of the fantasy life of Betty and Rita in Mulholland Drive, or of the Pete Dayton segue in Lost Highway.

We’ve also already established that Mike and his Lodge friends have the ability to fabricate whole human lives and existences, so would it be that much harder to believe that Janey-E and Sonny Jim aren’t real? And while we’re on the topic of Dougie’s family: one moment that I’ve been dwelling on and can’t quite figure out is the scene in “Part 5: Case Files” is the scene where Dougie Cooper looks at Sonny Jim and cries. One take that I’ve seen on Dougie Cooper is that Lynch is making a statement on how society ignores depression and mental illness, which certainly has been mirrored by Twin Peaks fans who so desperately want Agent Cooper to “snap out of it” and get back to solving the mystery of the two Lodges.

A lot of other important things happened this episode, like Hawk going into detail about Nez Perce lore relating to the two lodges, most notably making yet another reference to garmonbozia in the “sick corn” pictograph and a hint to the possible meaning of the phrase “Fire Walk With Me.” The episode’s subtitle again comes from a conversation between Hawk and the Log Lady.

However, I think the key to unpacking all of this is going to come back to Lucy. In a seemingly throwaway moment when Lucy is talking to Hawk as she’s transferring his call, she makes a reference back to the chair argument she had with Andy. Every time we see Lucy, she’s making some kind of statement that connects to the notion of choice as a dividing point in time, or to the concept of time as a human construct. Every episode has one of these moments. With Lynch, nothing is a throwaway, everything matters, and if you want to know what’s going to happen, you need to pay attention. If you decide to do a mid-season rewatch (which I very highly encourage) pay special attention to Lucy’s

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“Mary Cox is an entertainment writer from the United States. Her hobbies include making good beer and bad decisions, watching drag queens fight on the internet, and overanalyzing everything. Mary one day hopes to be the person shouting “World Star” in the back of a Waffle House brawl video. She is currently tolerating life in Toronto. You can follow her on Twitter at @M_K_Cox”

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GAME OF THRONES Season 7 EP2 Review: STORMBORN

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stormborn.jpgDaenerys receives an unexpected visitor. Jon faces a revolt. Tyrion plans the conquest of Westeros.

Director: Mark Mylod
Writers: Bryan Cogman
Stars: Peter Dinklage, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Lena Headey

by Mary Cox

 
In tonight’s installment of Game of Thrones, Daenerys’ first real foray into the Great Game came crashing down on her head as Theon and Yara suffered a devastating blow when facing up against their cousin, Euron. Daenerys has made it this far on the backs of her dragons with her Khalasar and Unsullied armies at her side, but she’s never been up against the likes of Cersei Lannister. Her claim to the Seven Kingdoms seems to rest on forming an alliance with Jon Snow and the North. The question remains: after tonight’s spectacular military failure, will Daenerys continue to trust Tyrion’s counsel, or will she take Olenna Tyrell’s advice and finally “be a dragon”?

Despite Daenerys’ popularity with the small folk of Westeros, memories of the Mad King are still fresh in members of the gentry. However, Jaime Lannister’s unsuccessful appeal to Lord Tarly seems to forecast that the Lords and Ladies of the Seven Kingdoms are willing to take a risk on Aegon’s successor. Speaking of the Tarly’s, Samwell seems determined to gross us all out while getting kicked out of the Citadel as he embarks on his quest to save Jorah Mormont from the death sentence that is Greyscale.

On learning that Jon and Sansa are alive in the North, Arya makes an incredibly frustrating decision to cut her trip to King’s Landing short and to return to her ancestral home. However, after almost not being recognized by her own Direwolf, Arya’s return to Winterfell might not go as well as she hopes. Littlefinger is clearly counting on Jon to make a fatal misstep so he can seduce Sansa and become the Lord of Winterfell himself, but a second Stark daughter throws a wrench into his plans for succession. Will Arya, who both Jon and Sansa assume is dead, be welcomed back to the North? Or will she receive

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“Mary Cox is an entertainment writer from the United States. Her hobbies include making good beer and bad decisions, watching drag queens fight on the internet, and overanalyzing everything. Mary one day hopes to be the person shouting “World Star” in the back of a Waffle House brawl video. She is currently tolerating life in Toronto. You can follow her on Twitter at @M_K_Cox”t

TV REVIEW: TWIN PEAKS – SEASON 3 – EPISODE 10

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twin peaksTitled: Part 10: Laura is the One

Director: David Lynch
Writer: Mark Frost

A lot of missing pieces are finally starting to come together on this week’s installment of Twin Peaks. Even though we have a lot more information to work with now, more questions have been raised than those that have been answered. Richard Horne, a certified bad dude who’s somehow involved with Chad and Red in moving drugs across the Canadian border, has now been established as the grandson of Benjamin and Sylvia Horne. After murdering Miriam, and arranging for Chad to intercept the letter she wrote to Sheriff Truman which detailed all of his crimes, Richard violently robs his grandmother and states his intention to flee the country.

Richard bears a striking resemblance to the only member of the Horne family who is currently missing from the series: Audrey. If Richard is Audrey’s son, that begs the question: where is Audrey, and how did her son end up being such an asshole? The last time we saw Audrey was at the end of the previous season, when she was in a coma and was visited by Doppelganger Cooper. Technically, that could mean Bob (through the medium of Doppel Coop) is Richard’s father. Before this episode premiered, some people theorized that Audrey was actually the eccentric billionaire funding the box in New York that leads to the Black Lodge. The reveal that Richard is the grandson of Benjamin makes this slightly less likely in my book, but when it comes to David Lynch, all bets are off until we see something concrete.

Arguably, the best moment of the episode is shirtless Cooper at his doctor’s appointment. Anyone who doubted that Kyle MacLaughlan is still hot after two decades has been thoroughly proven wrong. Cooper also makes a good impression on Janey-E with those pythons he calls arms, and she seduces him in a simultaneously awkward and amazing sex scene. Despite his revitalized love life, Cooper has yet another problem heading his way. Duncan, who we know is working for Bad Coop in Vegas, is orchestrating a conspiracy to convince the casino-owning Mitchum Brothers that Dougie personally sabotaged their plan for insurance fraud.

Meanwhile, Jerry Horne is still high out of his mind in the woods. Is he on a spirit quest to find the entrance to the White Lodge? Or did he just make the rookie mistake of eating too many edibles? Speaking of the White Lodge, Bobby and Truman were noticeably absent from this week’s episode. We do get a moment with Hawk as he speaks on the phone to the Log Lady, who presents a cryptic message, including the episode’s tagline, “Laura is the one.” This premonition, paired with Gordon’s sudden vision of Laura, seems like it’s foreshadowing the return of Laura Palmer.

The construct of time is something that Lynch likes to play with in his work. Even with the established flashbacks that show nuclear testing in the 1940s, I’m not sure that we’re always seeing events in chronological order in this season. The question is presented to us on multiple occasions throughout the series: is it future, or is it past? One thing I’d like to point out is tonight’s performance at the Roadhouse was by Rebekah Del Rio, who previously fulfilled a similar role in Lynch’s masterpiece, Mulholland Drive. In that film, Del Rio’s performance of Llorando, a Spanish version of Roy Orbinson’s Crying, is the dividing point between the fantasy and reality of the film.

Is the Roadhouse a parallel for Club Silencio? It’s absolutely no coincidence that Del Rio is performing in a black and white zigzag dress against a red curtain background, evoking imagery of the Black Lodge itself. Is this episode going to be the line between the illusion and reality of Twin Peaks? We won’t know until next week.

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“Mary Cox is an entertainment writer from the United States. Her hobbies include making good beer and bad decisions, watching drag queens fight on the internet, and overanalyzing everything. Mary one day hopes to be the person shouting “World Star” in the back of a Waffle House brawl video. She is currently tolerating life in Toronto. You can follow her on Twitter at @M_K_Cox”

GAME OF THRONES Season 7 EP1 Review: DRAGONSTONE

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dragonstone.jpg Arya makes her way south. Jon organizes the defense of the North. Cersei tries to even the odds. Sam adapts to his new life in Oldtown. Daenerys comes home.

Director: Jeremy Podeswa
Writer: D.B. Weiss

Following a narrow escape from Jaqen H’ghar and the Faceless Men, Arya utilizes the talents she learned from the Many-Faced God to take out the last remaining members of the Frey clan. At Winterfell, Sansa Stark and Jon Snow butt heads over whether the King in the North should rule with a gentle heart, or with a heavy hand. In King’s Landing, Cersei is running out of options, and has to turn to the traitorous Euron Greyjoy for help. Samwell Tarley continues to train to be a Maester in the Citadel to gain information to defeat the White Walkers. Last but definitely not least, Daenerys and her dream team from Westeros are finally back in her ancestral home of Dragonstone.

This episode has set the stage for the beginning of the biggest battle in the history of this series, spanning three major contenders for the Iron Throne. It’s also left us with a lot of unanswered questions. Is the mysterious prisoner at the Citadel none other than Jorah Mormont, Daenery’s long-time admirer whose fate is currently unknown? What treasure does Euron Greyjoy intend to bring to Cersei to prove his loyalty? Will tensions between Sansa and Jon settle into place, or Petyr Baelish’s interferences again be the downfall of the King in the North? Only time will tell who will rule the Seven Kingdoms.

 
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“Mary Cox is an entertainment writer from the United States. Her hobbies include making good beer and bad decisions, watching drag queens fight on the internet, and overanalyzing everything. Mary one day hopes to be the person shouting “World Star” in the back of a Waffle House brawl video. She is currently tolerating life in Toronto. You can follow her on Twitter at @M_K_Cox”t

TV REVIEW: TWIN PEAKS – SEASON 3 – EPISODE 9

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by Mary Cox

twin peaks“The Return, Part 9: This is the Chair

It was hard to know where this episode was going to pick up after last week’s jaw-dropping experimental venture into true Lynchian territories in “The Return, Part 8: Gotta Light?” but Part 9 swings us right back into the story of this season at full speed.

Evil Coop, who hasn’t been bested by the likes of Ray, is alive and well after being thoroughly mauled by The Woodsmen. Coop orders a hit on Warden Murphy, whom he previously blackmailed to escape from prison. Meanwhile, the LAPD discover that Dougie Coop has no previous records of existence prior to 1997, prompting them to stealthily take his coffee cup to get a DNA sample. Shortly after leaving a mysterious voicemail for an unknown person named J.T., Ike “The Spike,” is arrested.

Matthew Lillard gives a powerhouse performance as Bill Hastings in an intense investigation with FBI Agent Tammy Preston, who is speculated to be the “T.P.” repeatedly referenced in Mark Frost’s companion book, The Secret History of Twin Peaks. Preston questions Hastings on his blog, “Search for the Zone” (which, by the way, actually exists and is rumored to contain secret clues about upcoming episodes) and describes the death of Major Briggs, which careful viewers will note that we actually witnessed partially in “The Return, Part 3: Call for Help” while Good Coop was escaping from the Black Lodge.

The episode has a few other notable moments, such as Jerry Horne’s talking foot and Ella’s nasty armpit rash at The Roadhouse, but the most important sequence of this episode regarding advancement of the plot happens when Bobby, Truman, and Hawk go to investigate Mrs. Briggs, who reveals to them that the Major once foretold of their arrival. She gives the a small metal capsule from inside a chair that contains a secret coded map, which includes a small illustration, a set of numbers, and the word “Cooper” printed twice, alluding to the existence of two Coopers.

One small moment viewers might have missed was the scene where Chad is eating lunch by himself in the conference room. As Chad is ordered out of the room by Hawk, take a good look at what’s on his plate. After careful analysis, it appears to be nothing else but creamed corn. That’s right. The cop we all love to hate is straight up eating Garmonbozia.

For those out of the loop: in the Twin Peaks universe, Garmonbozia is human suffering in tangible form, which Lynch represents by creamed corn. It’s the preferred food of the residents of the Black Lodge. In Fire Walk With Me, we see Bob and The Man From Another Place chowing down on Garmonbozia on the Formica Table. Garmonbozia/creamed corn has often been a visual cue in Twin Peaks, and there are numerous references to it throughout the series and within the canon of the show.

Most notably, in The Secret Diary of Laura Palmer, Laura cites creamed corn as one of her favorite meals, lending to the developing theory that she is an entity from one of the two Lodges. This theory was reinforced in last week’s episode when Senorita Dido and The Giant (cited in the credits as ?????) released a glowing sphere containing Laura into the universe to counter the birth of Bob. All of this is probably not meant to indicate that Chad is a resident of the Black Lodge, but it is a quiet nod to the nature of his true self, and it seems to be foreshadowing a possible betrayal on Chad’s part.

We’re also treated to a scene featuring a “fight” between Andy and Lucy Brennan over the color of a chair that’s reminiscent of the slow-paced, campy melodrama of the first two seasons. At first glance, this sequence doesn’t really add anything significant to the episode, other than to act as a red herring for those who are attempting to suss out the meaning of the episode’s subtitle, “This is the Chair;” knowing Lynch, there’s a chance that this scene will hold some great significance in the future that we can’t currently see or understand.

Some Twin Peaks theorists believe that Lynch is experimenting with the notion of alternate universes and String Theory in this series. This means that every time a decision is made, a new universe is potentially spawned. Is the fate of Agent Cooper going to hinge on Lucy’s decision to buy the red chair or the tan chair? We’ll have to wait and see.

SCORE: 8/10
 

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“Mary Cox is an entertainment writer from the United States. Her hobbies include making good beer and bad decisions, watching drag queens fight on the internet, and overanalyzing everything. Mary one day hopes to be the person shouting “World Star” in the back of a Waffle House brawl video. She is currently tolerating life in Toronto. You can follow her on Twitter at @M_K_Cox”

TOP 10 TV SHOWS OF ALL TIME by Mary Cox

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twin peaks.jpgOver the past two decades, television has changed rapidly from something scheduled that has to be enjoyed in limited settings, to a fluid medium of entertainment that exists primarily on the internet. Some people bemoan this change as the death of television, when in reality, it’s an artistically freeing transition that gives the power of choice to consumers, and a wider audience to producers. Broadcast television might not be completely dead just yet, but it’s going extinct; digital media is undoubtedly the future.

As a consumer and reviewer of digital TV releases, and as someone who’s looking towards the future of entertainment, here are my top ten favorite series of all time:

10. Superjail!

This short-lived animated series debuted on Adult Swim in 2008 and ran for four incredible seasons until it was canceled in 2014. Superjail! was known for it’s psychedelic visuals and graphic cartoon violence. The series follows life inside a brutal prison located inside a volcano, and every episode ends in a slapstick horror bloodbath.

Superjail’s Warden, a cheerful and indulgent Willy Wonka-esque character, spends his time either stressing out Jared, the prison’s anxiety-riddled accountant, or lusting after Alice, the transgender sadomasochist head guard. Newcomers to the show should watch “Combaticus” and “Ghosts” to get a taste of the humor, pacing, and aesthetic of the series. While Superjail! may never return, the show’s director, Christy Karakas, is set to release a new series entitled Ballmastrz 9669 in 2018.

9. Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

This series that premiered on Netflix in 2015 is another successful project by 30 Rock’s Tina Fey. The show’s titular protagonist is a perpetual optimist who is trying to find her way in New York City after spending the majority of her adult life in an underground doomsday cult. Kimmy transitions to life outside of the bunker with help from her old-school New Yorker landlady Lillian, her flamboyant Broadway wannabe roommate Titus, and her clueless socialite employer, Jacqueline.

On top of being hilarious, the show manages to address the consequences of long-term emotional trauma and PTSD in a way that is both authentic and easy to digest. As a serial program, new viewers should ideally start from the first episode of the first season, but two highlights you can’t miss include the episodes “Kimmy Goes to School” and “Kimmy Rides a Bike.” You can check out all three seasons of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt available right now on Netflix.

8. The Boondocks

Based on the comic strip of the same name by Aaron MacGruder, this animated series premiered on Adult Swim in 2005. It’s fourth and final season was released towards the end of 2014. The Boondocks follows the lives of the Freeman family who move from Chicago to the mostly white suburban neighborhood of Woodcrest. In The Boondocks, Huey, a ten-year-old retired political activist, acts as a problem solver and moral compass to his talented but
troublesome younger brother, Riley.

This series tackled big issues like class, race, and identity, all while maintaining great comedy and a visual style heavily inspired by Japanese animation. You should definitely check out the episodes “Return of the King” and “The Color Ruckus” to get a feel for The Boondocks. There’s rumors of MacGruder developing a new series for Amazon, but you can catch his other show, Black Jesus, streaming on Adult Swim right now.

7. Seinfeld

Widely regarded as one of the most influential sitcoms of the 1990s, Seinfeld was the brainchild of Larry David and Jerry Seinfeld. Famously described as “a show about nothing,” Seinfeld followed the lives of Jerry, Elaine, Kramer, and George as they dealt with handling social faux pas and the frustrations of living in New York City. A large part of the series was based on real-life experiences of its writers.

Most people have seen the series at this point in time, but if you haven’t, start off with the episodes “The Junior Mint” and “The Hamptons.” Seinfeld has been off the air for close to twenty years now, but you can still get your Larry David fix when the brand new season of Curb Your Enthusiasm returns to HBO on October 1st, 2017.

6. Archer

Featuring some of the tightest writing and brainiest references on television right now, Archer is a phenomenal animated series. Although the show’s format has changed in recent seasons since its 2009 premiere, Archer primarily follows the missions of a fictional spy agency in post-World War II America. Sterling Archer, an American take on James Bond, performs espionage missions for his mother Mallory’s spy agency with his on-again, off-again girlfriend Lana.

However, the place where Archer really shines is in it’s support cast, especially regarding Pam, a crude and overweight gossip who has a double life as a bare-knuckle fighter and street racer, Krieger, a mad scientist with a hologram anime wife who may or may not be a clone of Hitler, and Cheryl, an eccentric heiress with a choking fetish and an ocelot. Can’t-miss episodes include “Legs” and “El Secuestro.” The ninth season of Archer will premiere on FXX in early 2018.

5. Arrested Development

A sitcom that premiered in 2003, but was revived for Netflix in 2013, Arrested Development follows the life of Michael Bluth, the seemingly only sane man in the entire Bluth family, who are a collection of wealthy and out-of-touch socialites. The Bluths have to learn to deal with the real world when the family’s patriarch, George Bluth Sr., is taken to jail on charges of embezzlement.

The series was known for its dedication to long-running jokes, and it’s writing received wide critical acclaim. To get the most out of Arrested Development’s style, you need to watch it from the first episode, but “Out on a Limb” and “Top Banana” are too good to not highlight here. The fifth season of Arrested Development is returning to Netflix sometime in 2018.

4. Rick and Morty

This animated sci-fi series by Justin Roiland and Dan Hammond is Adult Swim’s newest smash hit. The show follows Rick Sanchez, a functioning alcoholic mad scientist, and his weak-willed grandson, Morty, as they travel through time and space on increasingly dangerous and surreal adventures. Originally conceived as a parody of Back to the Future, Rick and Morty is known and loved by its fans for its strange juxtaposition of family life drama against a slapstick fantasy background.

Be sure to check out “Lawnmower Dog” and “Auto Erotic Assimilation” if you’re new to the series. While the first episode of season three was released as a prank on April Fool’s Day, new episodes of Rick and Morty are set to return on July 30th, 2017.

3. Twin Peaks

This series originally premiered in 1990, but has been recently revived by creative masterminds David Lynch and Mark Frost for a third season. Twin Peaks initially follows Special Agent Dale Cooper as he investigates the death of Laura Palmer in a sleepy Pacific Northwest town. As time goes on, and more supernatural elements are introduced, the show takes on an entirely new direction and aesthetic.

Spanning three seasons, one movie, and a massive cult following, Twin Peaks is known best for it’s combination of melodrama, camp, and Lynch’s trademark surrealist imagery. It’s impossible to recommend a single episode from this series, but it’s honestly worth it to start from the beginning and work your way forwards with this show. Season three of Twin Peaks iscurrently airing on Crave TV.

2. Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!

Created by Tim Heidecker and Eric Wareheim, this sketch comedy series featured avant-garde anti-humor, and was heavily inspired by the aesthetic of public-access cable and infomercials from the early1990s. Episodes of this series usually were a collage of short sequences, often featuring a blend of celebrity cameos and amateur actors found on Craigslist. Part of what makes this series work is the ambiguity of who is (and who isn’t) in on the joke.

Tim and Eric spawned a spinoff series, Check it Out! With Dr. Steve Brule, starring Academy Award nominee John C. Reilly as a clueless investigative journalist. Be sure to check out “Carol” and “Chan” if you want to get into this series. Wareheim has been busy directing music videos for bands like Major Lazer, Beach House, and Blonde Redhead, but the third season of Heidecker’s new project, Decker, is set to air on Adult Swim on July 16th, 2017.

always sunny1. It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia

A powerhouse black comedy that originally premiered on FX in 2005, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia is one of the best television shows ever produced. Even after twelve seasons, this series, created by Rob McElhenney and Glenn Howerton, has still managed to keep its edge and stay relevant.

The series follows the lives of Dennis, Dee, Charlie, Mac, and Frank, the most self-centered and sociopathic characters currently on television, as they manage a small Irish-themed bar in South Philly. “The Gang Gives Frank an Intervention” and “Frank Reynold’s Little Beauties” are my favorites, but any episode from this series (after season one) won’t leave you disappointed. Season 13 of It’s Always Sunny is set to premiere on FXX in early 2018.

HONORABLE MENTION:

RuPaul’s Drag Race This show doesn’t belong on my main list considering that this isn’t a scripted series, but I live and breathe for Drag Race. Every season a gaggle of truly sickening drag queens competes for the title of America’s Next Drag Superstar. This show has absolutely everything: top level performances, professional artistry and craftsmanship, a positive LGBTQ2+ message, and drama like you wouldn’t believe.

It’s a disservice to Drag Race to cherry-pick a single episode, but anything past Season Four will be a great place for new drag fans to start watching the show. RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 10 will premiere in early 2018, but if you can’t wait that long, RuPaul’s Drag Race: All Stars Season 3 is set to be released before the end of the year.

 

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“Mary Cox is an entertainment writer from the United States. Her hobbies include making good beer and bad decisions, watching drag queens fight on the internet, and overanalyzing everything. Mary one day hopes to be the person shouting “World Star” in the back of a Waffle House brawl video. She is currently tolerating life in Toronto. You can follow her on Twitter at @M_K_Cox”