Subject: Re: Lynch - CRITICISM!!!
From: wilson@iowasp.physics.uiowa.edu (Peter D. Wilson)
Date: 1990-12-03, 15:25
Newsgroups: alt.tv.twin-peaks

In article <28197@megaron.cs.arizona.edu>, gln@cs.arizona.edu (Gary Newell) writes:
> >
> > [valid and non-insulting criticism deleted]
> > 
> > The scene with naval
> > personnel bouncing rubber balls in the GN while a spastic one-armed man
> > wiggles in his chair would seem an example of this in my opinion - what
> > purpose did those people serve? Did it relate in anyway to the plot? 

  This scene has been brought up several times as evidence that TP is
  worthless crap.  The basis for the claim is that it has nothing to
  do with the plot, as you indicate.  This is valid only if one believes
  that advancement of plot is the only thing that is important, which I
  don't.  Had the scene been done without bouncing balls, the storyline
  wouldn't have changed one bit and no argument would have begun about
  how the color of their shoes related to WKLP.  With them, Lynch throws
  the viewer off guard by doing something totally unpredictable and
  totally irrelevant, just like real life.
  
  When I look at the Mona Lisa, I see a painting of a woman.  Others see 
  the whole of creation wrapped up in a series of brush strokes.  No 
  plot is taking place yet it can be praised as a masterpiece.  The same
  can be said of TP.  The plot in TP is secondary to the character
  development and atmosphere.  I watch because of the skill of those
  who work on the show to flesh out characters and draw me into a world
  that is at times unpredictable.  

  TP is a world unlike any other on TV.  It isn't perfect, but it
  is a lot better than the average show where plot is more important
  than character and everything needs to be explained at an elementary
  level.

> > a show or a movie without a solid plot is still a
> > show with little plot no matter how nicely packaged it is.

  A movie can have absolutely no plot and still be good, though.

> >[stuff deleted]
> >  That is not to say that the show is without any merit. The unique and
> > interesting images are often "worth the price of admission" so to speak,
> > but the show could be better if it was more careful with its plot and
> > less focussed on simply being bizarre. IMHO of course.....

  There is always room for improvement.  As ambitious as TP is, I'm
  quite impressed at how well it has performed.

> > gln

  Peter.
  wilson@iowasp.physics.uiowa.edu
*********************************************************************
*    "While I will admit to a certain cynicism, the fact is         *
*    that I am a naysayer and hatchet man in the fight against      *
*    violence.  I pride myself in taking a punch, and I'll          *
*    gladly take another because I choose to live my life in        *
*    the company of Gandhi and King.  My concerns are global.       *
*    I reject, absolutely, revenge, aggression, and retaliation.    *
*    The foundation of such a method ... is love.  I love you       *
*    Sheriff Truman." -- Albert, _Twin_Peaks_                       *
*********************************************************************