Smoke, Fire and the Devil
Owl in San Francisco in March, 2021. Photo: J. Waits
There is often some little detail on Twin Peaks that catches my eye and causes me to obsess over it for an entire episode. During the 6th episode of season 1 (listen to our podcast episode here), my fixation is on smoke, fire and hell and how they are all woven together this week.
If you’ve watched Season 1, Episode 6 of Twin Peaks, read on. If not, be forewarned. There will be spoilers!
The tip off for me was the plethora of scenes featuring characters smoking cigars and cigarettes, some of whom we have not seen smoking previously. There’s also a sign for the “Smoke” room at the Great Northern and many scenes take place fireside. When Flesh World is discovered in Jacques Renault’s ceiling, Truman declares, “Holy Smokes,” before the lawmen discover a creepy Polaroid photo of a lingerie-clad bearded smoking man.
The log lady then shares wisdom about the sinister side of smoke: She says, “my husband was a logging man. He met the devil. Fire is the devil hiding like a coward in the smoke.” She also warns that if one hides from the truth or doesn’t pay attention to visions, one will be consumed by fire and descend into hell, cautioning, “shut your eyes and you’ll burst into flames.”
Last week we started to wonder if Josie was being victimized. Whereas this week she’s all confidence as she blows smoke in the dark awaiting a meeting with Ben that ends with him kissing her hand. What’s hiding in the smoke? Devilish intentions? Meanwhile, Catherine lashes out at Ben over his indiscretions with call girls, saying, “hell hath no fury,” and later expresses her desire to start an actual fire that night by burning the mill. Ben stalls her as they kiss by the fire.
Leland breaks down and sways by the fire at the Great Northern. Ben later beckons Jerry to the fire while watching distressed Leland, commanding: “Get him out of my life.” Trouble is also brewing at the Johnson house. Shelley bends down to a flame, lighting her cigarette on the stove, while a gun sits on the table nearby. After a fight with Leo, she FIRES.
I’m particularly struck by the smoke, fire and hell imagery related to Laura and Bobby. Maddie (who sat by an empty ashtray at the double RR) reveals that Laura used to hide smokes in her bedpost when she was young; keeping secret her sins. And devilish Laura corrupted Bobby, making him sell drugs. In a very interesting scene in Dr. Jacoby’s office, Bobby wears a priestly collar while talking about the temptations of hell. He recounts that Laura told him that, “People tried to be good, but they were really sick and rotten. Her most of all...every time she tried to make the world a better place something terrible came up inside her and pulled her back down into hell…”
The scene with Bobby and his parents (with whom he’s battled over his smoking) in Dr. Jacoby’s office is rather strange. It’s initially shot like an interrogation, with the parents as talking heads, then we move into the private session and we see priestly Bobby being brought to tears by leading questions. Is there something religious about this approach? Is the doctor trying to exorcise the devil out of Bobby? Is this a spiritual battle or a mental health battle? Or both?
Another big theme of the episode is mental health. In addition to Bobby’s lengthy therapy session with Dr. Jacoby, there are multiple references to people who aren’t well (Leland, Nadine, and Jame’s alcoholic mom). Others are shown as going temporarily mad (it is a full moon, after all), including the business folk from Iceland. Plus, there’s Audrey’s despair after witnessing Leland’s descent. Is madness and mental distress connected with the omnipresent smoke and fire? That remains to be seen.