After last week’s recording session from hell (don’t ask), Kate and Simon scale it back and go guest-free to take on one of The Return‘s most tonally dynamic and extreme episodes. Topics include: Dougie and Janey-E’s, er, encounter; the trials of Candie; finally admitting that we miss a few long-absent characters; and we once again revisit the impact of Lynch’s imagery of violence against women.

“Part 7” marks a huge turning point in The Return…or does it? Guest Byron Davies joins us to dive deep into some fresh philosophical tangents as we ponder what it means that the series has (apparently, maybe?) finally decided to please fans of the original run. Discussed: Jacques Rivette, the series’ controversial take on sexual violence, the entrance of Diane, themes of death and decay, and so, so much more.

Twin Peaks trended on Twitter worldwide on the back of its wildest episode yet, but what did its new levels of experimentation amount to? Kate and Simon dive into the episode with returning guest Olivier Creurer, and ponder the series’ (and Lynch’s) broader relationship to experimental cinema, among many, many other open questions.

Jessica Bardsley rejoins us following her triumphant original-run appearance to help Kate and Simon tackle one of the more notoriously talky episodes of The Return: Part 9. We apologize for the lateness, but if you knew the work that went into salvaging this podcast from a disastrous recording situation, your hair would turn as white as Bobby’s.

With no new episode this week, Kate and Simon are joined by guests Adrienne and Jonathan Turnbull-Reilly help us sift through listeners’ (and their!) burning Twin Peaks questions. We didn’t bother with a fancy edit this week, so please enjoy us in our raw, uncut glory.

Things get a little more heated than usual at Lodgers HQ when returning guest Matt Croombs joins us to talk “Part 6” of The Return. The more extreme elements of the new season come to the fore as Kate, Simon and Matt weigh the impact of some key sequences. Discussed: Lynch-as-camp, female viewers’ reactions, the hilarity of child murder, what the new Peaks does to the old series’ legacy, and a whole lot more.

With the new season’s airing schedule finally normalizing, Kate and Simon are joined by returning guest Justine Smith to try to sort out the new season’s relationship to the original Twin Peaks, the broader TV landscape, as well as Lynch’s other work. Also discussed: Twitter swag, political alienation, electrical currents, Bob, and Caleb Landry Jones’ weird skin and face.

Laura Palmer’s killer is revealed, unraveling all that came before – or does it? Once again flying solo so as to hog a momentous episode, Kate and Simon discuss the impact of learning the “true” identity of Laura’s killer, the implications of a post-reveal landscape, and the ways in which Lynch is able to tap into a richer emotional landscape than his peers. Somewhere in there you get a spectacularly pretentious moment courtesy of Simon (he apologizes profoundly) and many, many specific arguments for Lynch’s directorial genius. And lots of mean jokes at James’ expense. Again.

With the help of special guest Ethan Vestby of These Boys Are Good Boys, Kate and Simon accelerate the podcast’s pace and tackle the next four episodes, beginning to delve into what we will be not so affectionately terming as The Dark Days. This episode features an above-average amount of sass and several pieces of remarkably random trivia. Don’t say you didn’t learn anything.

Join writer and critic Adam Nayman as he dives into the tumultuous journey of 'Fire Walk With Me,' revealing how its initial backlash evolved into appreciation over time. He highlights Sheryl Lee's stunning portrayal of Laura Palmer, exploring the film's complex themes of empathy and tragedy. Nayman also critiques its unconventional prologue and discusses Lynch's unique examination of gender identity and the deeper emotional threads in his work. Expect sharp insights and playful jabs at fellow filmmakers throughout this enlightening discussion.