Classic Moments: Waldo is shot ('Twin Peaks')

Relive the inspired moment that occurred midway through the sixth episode of Twin Peaks' majestic first season, as a simple bird becomes a key witness to a murder. You'll never look at donuts in the same way again.

The Context

Special Agent Dale Cooper is investigating the murder of drug-addicted beauty queen Laura Palmer in the remote town of Twin Peaks. He discovers that her body has several peck marks on the shoulder that came from a bird. Cooper finds the creature in a remote cabin that belongs to suspect Jacques Renault and is stunned to discover that Waldo the myna bird has strong mimicry skills of the human voice. However, it needs to be nursed back to health with plenty of fresh fruit.

It's taking time though, so Cooper leaves the caged Waldo in a police station room with a voice-activated dictaphone alongside it. The bird, a witness to Laura's murder, finally starts to speak Laura's last words and is about to reveal the killer...

The Moment

Thunderstorms rage at night and Waldo, alone in the room, finally begins to talk. "Laura, Laura," Waldo says in between squawks. The action then cuts to Cooper, Sheriff Truman, Hawk and Deputy Brennan preparing nearby for a raid on seedy club One Eyed Jack's. A gunshot rings out and soaked murder suspect Leo Johnson is seen driving off outside, gun in hand.

Cooper, Sheriff Truman, Hawk and Deputy Brennan enter the room to discover a row of donuts splattered with the deceased Waldo's blood and feathers. Cooper picks up the dictaphone and plays back Waldo's last words.

"Laura, Laura, don't go there. Hurting me, hurting me. Stop it! Stop it! Leo no! Leo no!"

The Aftermath

Waldo wasn't given much of a send off, but his evidence was vital in placing Leo Johnson at the murder scene. He was far from alone in the disused rail car that Laura was killed in, as one familiar figure was soon to emerge as the real killer...

> Click here to read the classic moment from Twin Peaks when Laura Palmer's body was found