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Following several weeks of steady action, Twin Peaks slowed itself some in “Episode 23.” It felt much like a setup episode for the handful of remaining installments. History, at least, says there are six to go - though I can’t believe David Lynch planned to hang up his boots an episode shy of an even 30.

This isn’t to say nothing happened in “Episode 23.” I mean Josie died, so there’s that. A shocker of a death, too. Considered by many - including me - as an “untouchable,” Josie’s been with us from the beginning. In fact, she’s the first person (woman or otherwise) to appear on the screen!

So, the character who introduced us to the loopy world of Twin Peaks is no longer among us. Her death, for me, signifies that anybody is fair game. Bob can smite them all.

Speaking of Bob, he’s back, too. Josie’s fatal heart attack during “Episode 23’s” curtain call signaled the return of the Man of Death - his first appearance on screen since, I think, that time he orchestrated Maddy’s last dance. He comes out from under the bed - his favorite hiding spot, apparently - to scream in Cooper’s face about what might’ve happened to Josie.

He goes, and the little dancing man from Cooper’s season one dream appears on the bed. He’s still dancing, and still smiling, and still looking awfully creepy. I’ve yet to determine what his deal is.

And then the knob on the nightstand engulfs our field of vision. Josie’s head floats in and around it before taking its place at the start of the knob and contorting its face into a grotesque visage. By far one of the strangest sequences we’ve seen since, well, Cooper’s season one dream.

Yet everything I’ve recapped here happened in the closing minutes. A series of oh my god (or, maybe, WTF) moments all in a row with little to no explanation. Again, “Episode 23” was a setup for what’s to come later.

The other major thing to happen during “Episode 23’s” closing was the coming together of Audrey, Donna and Shelly at the Roadhouse for whatever’s to come from the manic mastermind, Windham Earle. You see, the dude sent each of them a piece of a letter, with a note to meet at the Roadhouse bar at 9:30 that evening. They all appear at about the same time - impressive, considering they don’t have cell phones - and place their letter parts side by side to reveal Windham’s cryptic message. Meanwhile, the fanatic sits idly nearby with a smirk on his face.

Considering Windham Earle kills people, there’s a valid argument in there that says he intends to do that to these women (and again, all characters who’ve been with us from the beginning). But Windham’s more of a schemer than that. He’s “better” than that. He’s got bigger plans.

Could it be that Windham knows about the pseudo history between Cooper and Audrey? I can’t tell you how many times Cooper has reiterated to Harry how much he loved Windham’s former wife. To murder Audrey, say, in front of Cooper’s eyes would be sweet revenge indeed for Windham. (And a symbolic reason why Cooper keeps repeating himself.)

Yet if that’s what he intends to do, why bring in Donna and Shelly, too?

Perhaps Audrey is to even the field with Cooper, and Donna and Shelly are to be used as bait for James and Bobby. James, as we know, has run off somewhere, but Donna in distress will bring that boy back. And Bobby’s really got nothing else going for him than to keep Shelly out of trouble. Before it was staving off Leo; perhaps Bobby’s got a new threat in Windham.

A young Billy Zane struts into town. He’s been called out by Ben to help out with his latest plan: To mess with Catherine’s development of the mill land by campaigning to save the town’s dying population of… native weasels. According to Ben, the weasel will become a household name, and the public face of his self-serving movement.

Billy Zane, apparently, is the man for the job. He’s done exactly what Ben wants to have done in other towns.

His arrival, of course, gets Audrey all hot and bothered. And why not: She’s been so hung up on Cooper for so long now - and he’s having none of it - that for her to move on (or, at least, flirt with a younger boy) makes sense and is welcomed. Here’s hoping Billy sticks around for a few more episodes to distract Audrey even more. And, well, to save those weasels.

And to keep up Twin Peaks’ soapy ‘tude, a sequence of hilarity ensued at “Episode 23’s” midpoint.

Nadine officially breaks up with Ed. Ed, in turn, runs over to the diner and proposes to Norma on the spot - with Shelly in earshot. And Norma, not skipping a beat, runs over to the jail to divorce her current husband. Hank relents, but says he wants to be there for Norma. And there you have it. A couple of relationships - major life moments, really - renounced in a matter of minutes.

Where else do we see this than in a daytime drama?