Major Briggs (Don S. Davis) recounts his memories to Cooper, Harry and Doc (Kyle MacLachlan, Michael Ontkean & Warren Frost), they seem to mainly consist of a giant owl. “My memories are immune from remission.” Briggs is really bigging up how important and confidential his work is. UFO project, examining “the earth below” Twin Peaks, in search of The White Lodge, but of course just as he’s about to reveal things we don’t know, he gets interrupted by other military on Col. Riley’s orders. There’s a polaroid photo of an unusual mark on Brigg’s neck though.

What is the mark? – radioactive symbol? An owl in flight? Water drops on it from sprinkler above, ominous music and a surprising close-up of the sprinkler.

Ernie (James Booth) is being encouraged by Denise (David Duchovny) to “make the call” to Jean Renault to set up the out-of-town buyer meeting. “Gun-shy? Ernie Niles is as bold as can be!” Dials, then tries to weasel out.

Dick Tremayne Designer Menswear (Ian Buchanan) is in full covert spy outfit, glorious. Little Nicky’s documents have been sent back to the orphanage, and he wants the help of Andy (Harry Goaz) to retrieve them. “Strictly a man’s job” Lucy (Kimmy Robertson) is eavesdropping, Cooper had her check all the newspapers for a reply from Wyndham Earle, chess-wise, even though it feels like Wyndham would probably know where to put the chess move, so Cooper would definitely see it.

Norma and Ed (Peggy Lipton & Everett McGill) exchange pleasantries at the diner, he gives her a “We need to talk” note with her $5 tip.

Bobby (Dana Ashbrook) has been shirking his carer responsibilities, leaving Shelley (Madchen Amick) to do all the feeding and cleaning up after themselves and Leo (Eric DaRe). He just walks out, not coming back, working for Ben Horne is his big opportunity. Shelley slaps him, HELL YES, GOOD, when he says it looks like she doesn’t have anything better to do. I’m glad she’s shot of Bobby, but sad that she’s lumbered with Leo in any form. At least in a coma he’s not hitting her.

James (James Marshall) is on his side quest, phones Ed for all his savings, send to him at Wally’s Bar. “You homesick, James?” “No.” “Tell me about Twin Peaks.” “Nothing to tell.” couldn’t be more wrong, buddy. James recounts his dead girl troubles (does he know it was Leland/Bob?), Evelyn (Annette McCarthy) kisses him, bruised face hidden by sunglasses from abusive husband. Feels like James ridden his bike into some other soap opera.

Nadine (Wendy Robie) accosts Mike (Gary Hershberger) at the Double R, she wants to share food with him, he does not. He tries to dismiss her quite firmly, but she ignores it and kisses him quite forcefully, is this a reverse abuse scenario? “I’m sorry, sometimes I can’t help myself.” Mike looks mentally changed afterwards. Norma heads out to see Ed, leaves Hank (Chris Mulkey) alone at the diner “Think of it as a test.”

Harry arrives to see Josie (Joan Chen) working as a maid for Catherine (Piper Laurie). Harry wants Josie to leave so he can take care of her, she wont reveal her reasons. “Look at me, I’m Catherine’s maid, I’m no good for you.” They kiss for a very long time, then the classic cut to a waterfall that seems to indicate sex on this show.

Audrey (Sherilyn Fenn) is concerned about Ben’s new war re-enactment obsession. Taken over the floor of his office, seems to have injured an assistant of some kind, hurried off with a flesh wound. Discarded plaster of paris boxes, Audrey calls Dr. Jacoby for help.

Norma tells Ed she wants to be with him no matter what, scene cuts away but feels like it should’ve cut to a waterfall there.

Ernie, sweaty, wearing a wire. Plan is for him to take Denise to Dead Dog Farm as the buyer, then skidaddle, then Harry arrives with a gun. Cooper wants to go but no badge, so Harry deputises him “The bureau’s loss is my game.” Ernie admits to being a coward. Denise returns in Dennis mode. “Seemed more appropriate.” Hmmm.

Andy and Dick investigating the child placement office, Dick wants to pick the lock but Harry just turns the handle. Find Little Nicky’s file. Get interrupted by the Brunstons, eager adoptive couple, Dick very bad at this, tells them “Little Donny is… dead… dead tired!”

Donna (Lara Flynn Boyle) goes to see Ed, looking for James, he discloses the bar James wanted the money sent to, Ed lets Donna take the money to him herself. Rash move, but he’s just had sex so might be a little distracted. Norma leaves after Donna, Ed turns around only to get punched by Hank! Nadine arrives and knocks Hank out with a swung schoolbag and several punches to the face. Picks him off the floor, throws him through some furniture. God to see the scumbags getting beaten up this episode.

Business Bobby may have acted rashly abandoning Shelley for Ben (Richard Beymer), as he realises Ben has suffered a psychotic break. Ben is left alone and lights a bunch of candles, I feel it’s not wise to leave him unattended with a fire source. Catherine arrives with the intention of gloating, but ends up getting a little handsy with him. “You can’t be serious!” my thoughts exactly. “You make my body hum. Kiss me, General Lee.” “On to victory!”

James leads blindfolded Evelyn, reveals the fixed-up car, he’ll take her wherever, she needs to be back by evening. Toast with champagne. “You have a wonderfully honest face James, every time I look at you I can tell exactly what you’re thinking.” Because he’s a dummy? He pours the champagne away – why? – then they start going at it on the bonnet of the car? On the wheelwell? Evelyn’s brother Malcolm (Nicholas Love) looks on, smiling, from the bushes. Feel like most of the scenes this episode should end with a waterfall, everyone very affectionate.

Cooper, Harry and Hawk (Michael Horse) are watching the drug deal, Ernie too nervous, blows it, Jean (Michael Parks) and his accomplice Mountie (Gavan O’Herlihy) take Denise and Ernie hostage, Cooper trades them for himself, he’s who Jean really wants.

Evelyn gets dressed in shadow, leaves James exhausted and asleep in bed, she goes out into the hall and KISSES HER BROTHER (Who of course is not really her brother, duh) this show sure does like to imply incest, or nearly set it up (Audrey/Ben, Josie/Jonathan, these two).

The rest of the cops show up to watch the hostage situation, Cooper now got a cut by his left eye. Cooper’s death is important to Jean, even at the cost of his own, blames him for the death of Jacques. Jean’s other brother, Bernardo, shot and left to die in the woods – is this news? I don’t remember Bernardo. Jean knows Leland killed Jacques, “a grieving father smothered my brother to death” all started with Cooper arriving, so thinks killing him might end it.

Denise in diner outfit carrying a tray of food for them, gives Jean the tray, seductively pulls up her uniform to reveal a gun, grabbed by Cooper, shoots Jean, awww man, we lost Michael Parks. Harry’s plan, “Sometimes you gotta improvise.”

Shelley asleep on sofa, power keeps dipping in and out, lights and music ebb and wain. Toy whirring in Leo’s bed, Leo nowhere to be seen! He’s hiding behind the door, cake smothered-face, this a slasher now?

Lucy reports back, there was some kind of explosion and a couple of fires, then the power all went out. In a back room, an unknown person is gagged and tied up, dead? Pointing to Wyndham Earle’s next move. This is a less clear mystery than who killed Laura, I don’t know where the heck this is going.

New mysteries:
Who is the dead guy? I don’t recognise him, so probably someone new, but they’ll likely be connected to Cooper or someone else at Twin Peaks in some way.

Old Mysteries:
Who is the father of Lucy’s child?
Who attacked Jacoby?
Who shot Cooper?
Is the Waiter real?
What’s up with this Wyndham Earle character? – Now he’s presumably killed a guy!
What’s with the magic Tremond kid?
Who was trying to call Harry at the police station?
If the owls are not what they seem, what are they?
Why does Nadine think she’s 18? Why is she super-strong now? – Is this all so she could beat Hank up? I’m fine with that.
Who is Cousin Jonathan / Mr. Lee, really?
Why did Wyndham Earle send Cooper a chess move? And now another one? What’s with the chess game, guys? – And now the chess has turned deadly! If you die in chess, do you die in real life?
Where did Bob go? Is he an owl now?
Why were Bobby, Leo and Big Ed brought to the Poirot reveal scene?
What happened to Maj. Briggs? Was he abducted by aliens? Would he even tell us if he was? – He was about to tell us! Come on! It’s got a lot to do with this White Lodge place, that’s for sure.
What’s the deal with Andrew being alive?
What’s Eckhard going to do now?
What’s the deal with Dead Dog Farm? – Just a location to hold a fake drug deal sting operation? It now being the site of Jean’s death will probably not impact the resale value at all though.
Did Nicky kill his parents? Is he devilish in some way?
Is Lana actually a witch?
Is James being set up to kill Jeffrey?