How's Annie? Twin Peaks's Damn Fine Ending

Following on from our article on the sad demises of certain cult shows, here's a closer look at the shocking final scene of Twin Peaks. Despite the second season losing focus midway through, the Greatest Show Ever recovered and bowed out on an artistic high - but also a personal low for our hero Special Agent Dale Cooper. Furthermore, it inspired the lyrics for Michael Jackson's song 'Smooth Criminal', which featured the line "Annie, are you okay? Are you okay, Annie?". While there is no actual evidence to link this to Twin Peaks, it is scientific fact.

The Context

The final two episodes of Twin Peaks were shunted into an unappealing Saturday night timeslot on June 10, 1991 by the ABC network, following a gap of nearly two months since the previous episode was aired. Tumbling ratings were to blame for the dismal way the resurgent show was treated, marking a sharp change in fortune for a series that once attracted almost 35 million viewers and garnered a staggering 14 Emmy nominations as well as scooped three Golden Globes in its first year.

As for the story itself, Cooper had entered the mysterious realms of the Black Lodge in a bid to track down his murderous nemesis Windom Earl, who had kidnapped his beloved Annie Blackburn (a young Heather Graham). The Lodge, which Cooper entered through a clearing in the forest and appears to exist in another dimension, was packed full of mazy floors and red drape-adorned rooms in which he encountered various deceased folks like Laura and Leland Palmer.

After entering a room of doppelgangers, Cooper finds Earle and surrenders his soul in return for Annie's life. Once the brutal transaction is complete, Killer Bob suddenly appears and absorbs his slave Windom's soul - and thus collects Cooper's too. The FBI Agent now has an evil doppelganger inhabited by Bob's spirit, while Good Cooper is chased around the labyrinth of the Lodge. But only one emerges on the outside world...

The Moment

In the woods at the location of the invisible Lodge, Sheriff Truman notices Cooper's body lying beside a comatose and bloody Annie.

Next, Cooper is seen recuperating in bed with Doctor Hayward and Truman. "How's Annie?" he drowsily asks. He learns that she should be okay, but seems more interested in his dental hygiene than the status of his girlfriend's condition.

"I need to brush my teeth," he coldly declares before entering the bathroom. Inside, he squeezes all the toothpaste into the sink and looks into the mirror with an intense gaze. Suddenly, he headbutts the glass, which then splinters. Killer Bob is now his fractured reflection, showing that it is the possessed Dale Cooper who exited the lodge. "How's Annie?" he asks in mocking tones, dementedly laughing along with Bob's reflection while blood drips from his head. "How's Annie?? How's Annie??"

Cue the final ever end credits and a very fitting still shot of a good old cup of Joe. Our beloved Special Agent may now be in the clutches of a sadistic, rapist serial killer, but at least the coffee is as damn fine as ever.

The Aftermath

A massive amount of discursive debate still takes place over the meaning of the final scene and the unresolved cliffhanger. The general view is that Evil Coop is on the outside world while Good Coop lingers in the Black Lodge. David Lynch's subsequent prequel movie Fire Walk With Me may have dealt primarily with events before the television show, but a couple of moments undoubtedly took place after Evil Coop emerged.

Apart from a blood-soaked Annie making a brief appearance in Laura's bed, the main instance occurs at the very end in the Black Lodge when the courage of Good Coop enables Laura to escape the hellish purgatory and transcend to Heaven (presumably the White Lodge) along with an angel.

Also of note is a brief exchange in the television series shortly before Cooper lost his soul - while in the Black Lodge, Laura Palmer said to him: "I'll see you again in 25 years." So perhaps all hope is not lost for more adventures in some form. Then again, she was speaking backwards at the time. Plus, she's kind of dead...

Watch the final scene



> Click here for our look at the beginning of Twin Peaks