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Perhaps Twin Peaks’ least interesting episode to date, “Episode 11” continued a possibly alarming trend I’ve only begun noticing of episodes airing after the season two premiere that fail to excite as much as the opener. Since that magic intro, Twin Peaks, it seems, is tracking a sophomore slump.

Simplified, “Episode 11” introduced some new characters. On the surface, at least, not much can be drawn from them yet. So the takeaway ended up being that we have a couple more names and faces we better start paying attention to. That’s on top of the Lostian ensemble we’re already working through. Thanks, writers!

In addition to that, we’ve got a name and face we haven’t seen since last season who’s apparently back in town (and, consequently, back on our radars). It’s Josie, fresh off a vacation of sorts - or so she says - sporting a slick of black hair that’s about as gelled back as a pompous asshole dude would sport it. (Josie, of course, is anything but). Appearance wise, though, she’s never been so ambiguously sexual.

“Episode 11” begins with Leland’s arrest for the death of Jacques Renault and subsequent questioning by Cooper and Sheriff Truman. Leland, indeed, admits to murder, and says he went after Jacques because he thought Jacques killed Laura. And Leland thought Jacques killed Laura because… the fuzz apprehended him. Not great reasoning, sure, but at least the guy is honest. Cooper and Truman didn’t have much follow up.

Jacques’ brother, Jean, got fleshed out some. He’s apparently working for muscle that can’t be named, and pitches to Ben a number of demands, including a stake - of the financial variety - in One-Eyed Jacks. His leverage rests on Ben’s daughter, Audrey, who’s tied up in an undisclosed location (evidenced by a video Jean kindly plays for Ben). Ben, of course, says he’ll make good on Jean’s orders.

And across the way, Norma and Hank make necessary preparations at RR Diner for the arrival of a food critic, who could sprout the greasy food joint some new business with a positive review. This B-story played more like comedy - Hank and Norma pimpin’ out the place; Hank shoving disgusting townies to the kitchen - and didn’t seem to add much to the Laura Palmer storyline.

Much of “Episode 11” did that actually. Another hunk of story revolved around Andy and his saga with his sperm samples.

Unless these storylines play into the mythology - odds are they won’t, I imagine - this appears to be one of the first times (if not the first time) where Twin Peaks seemed to be gettin’ its spin on. On one level, it was a bit infuriating, as most everything that came before “Episode 11” benefited the murder story. Now we’re getting a taste of side bet and I don’t know what to think.

Then again, “Episode 11” was just one bum episode in a field of mostly good. Perhaps there’s an overreaction on my end that’ll be solved once “Episode 12” comes ‘round.

I guess what should get discussed here, though, is the revelation that Laura had a second personal diary. Right now, it’s in the possession of Harold Smith - the strange recluse we met an episode or two ago. He’s in the picture because Donna picked up Laura’s ex-Meals on Wheels shift, back when she was emulating Laura in a strange way.

Anyway, Donna spotted the diary at the end of “Episode 10,” and it’s here in “11” that we get read a page or so of its contents. Much of it had to do with a vague description of Laura’s secret life - with
which we’re already well familiar - paired with the idea of Laura not knowing how Donna would react to her secrets. So, she never shared anything with her.

Donna, though not verbally, takes offense to the passage, and I don’t really blame her. Imagine your best friend, now dead but speaking through old memory, telling you that they don’t trust you enough to share with you the things that matter most. I’d certainly be crushed - let alone be questioning what I assumed to be the foundations of our friendship.

Donna lets Maddy in on the reveal, which I love. They’re so catty with one another over James - well, at least Donna is - that the idea of them working together to make Laura’s diary makes sense puts a definitive smirk on my face. Perhaps that teamwork will absolve their differences.