SOURCE: “Heaven Knows, Mr. Lynch: Beatitudes from the Deacon of Distress.” Film Comment 29, no. 3 (May-June 1993): 43-6.

In the following essay, Olson discusses Lynch's spiritual vision in Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me.

A few minutes into David Lynch's Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me, loud-talking, dual hearing aid-wearing FBI chief Gordon Cole, played by the director himself, gives Agent Chet Desmond (Chris Isaak) and his assistant Stanley (Kiefer Sutherland) a briefing on their new case. Cole doesn't verbalize information to Desmond—he has him stare at Lil, a gawky, pinch-faced woman in a red dress who makes odd, dancelike motions. Without explanation, Cole then bids his men a hearty “GOOD LUCK!” and sends them out to investigate the brutal murder of a young woman in Washington state.

The less experienced Stanley is puzzled by Lil's performance, but the seasoned Desmond helps him read her messages. Lil's sour face...