Cooper: Did you kill Laura Palmer?
Bob: (howls like a monkey). That's a 'yes'.
Synopsis:
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Episode 16: Arbitrary Law (2.009)
Written by Mark Frost, Harley Peyton and Robert Engels.
Directed by Tim Hunter.
Original Airdate: December 1, 1990.
Cooper asks Truman to give him 24 hours to prove who murdered Laura Palmer; Donna Hayward is stunned by Deputy Andy's knowledge of French; Mrs. Tremond does a disappearing act; Harold Smith leaves behind a tidbit of valuable information; Ben Horne's business fortunes hit an all-time low; a strange gathering is called to the roadhouse; and it's high noon for Lucy, Andy and Tremayne.
While we the viewer already know who Bob is, Cooper and Truman (and everyone else) don't know this. But in this episode, they find out.
Cooper knows in his heart Ben Horne didn't do it, and he knows he's used all his powers to no avail. So he turns to a final one, magic, to solve the riddle. And solve it he does, as he remembers what words Laura whispered to him in his dream.
There's a few comedy asides in this one (watching Lucy getting a little excited when Andy starts acting manly on the phone to Dick, and then deflating when he turns wussy again), but mostly it's intense.
The whole scene with 'Bob' and Donna is tense as hell, and the whole final section where they catch Bob, and his killing Leland....wow. Watching Leland remember it all, and be in terrible pain over it, only to die ...wow.
I think some purists argue twin peaks should have ended on this episode, but I'm glad it doesn't. IIRR, it does get more whimsical for a good stretch after this, but it remains fun, good to look at, and who could bored of Cooper? And anyway, the final 4 or so episodes are fantastic.