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Though “Episode 6” isn’t a finale episode of Twin Peaks, I wouldn’t hold it against the viewer who might’ve mistaken it for one. The penultimate show before the series’ truncated freshman season comes to a close, “Episode 6” ended with an absurd number of cliffhangers hanging in the balance – with one, in particular, I’d hope gets resolved in “Episode 7.” (Not like it really matters though; I won’t be sitting through a summer of reruns).

But let’s back up a bit to track how we got where we got, shall we?

True to Twin Peaks form, “Episode 6” picks up right where we left off in “Episode 5.” Audrey’s in Cooper’s bed, and begging him to allow her to stay there. We didn’t get much of a reaction from Cooper last time ‘round, but what we do get here is total indifference. As he explains to Audrey, he can’t pursue her because he works for the Bureau and, as an agent, must uphold a certain code of honor while on the job.

They mutually agree to friendship, which felt fickle to me. Audrey’s been pursuing Cooper vehemently since he entered town, and without much pouting – actually, none at all – she agrees to being besties with the dude she was hoping to sleep with.

Back at the station, Cooper and Harry’s new expert witness is a mimicking bird. We met Waldo an episode ago in Jacques’ cabin, and with new photographic evidence, they’ve determined Waldo was the thing responsible for the bite marks on Laura’s shoulder. Only problem is Waldo isn’t speaking – likely due to the shock he’s yet to part with following whatever trauma he may have endured inside the cabin.

The whole Waldo thing, actually, was a fine play on a worn-out plot device. Twin Peaks itself used it early on when police were banking on Ronette’s testimony, but were stalled in learning what she might know because she was recovering in a hospital. Now, again, it’s a silly bird, which might have significant mimics stored in its brain – if only Cooper and company could access it.

It’s moments like these that allow Twin Peaks not to take itself too seriously. And then because of that, the show can delve into fantasy land – Cooper’s dream, Log Lady, Maddy – without those elements feeling fuzzy or strange. The show is a strange mixture of a lot of things, and yet it’s been striking a good balance so far.

Next, we dig into the contents of the tape Maddy found in Laura’s bedroom. As I suspected, Jacoby’s involved. But it isn’t so much a therapy session between him and Laura, but an opportunity for Laura to record herself all sexily on tape (Was he paying her?). Laura explains how she’s been a naughty girl in her dreams, that he dreams have actually been nightmares and that she feels like she doesn’t even have to try for men to fall for her.

All things Jacoby probably stored in the spank bank some time ago.

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