I guess this is actually a "biweekly" thread, I completely forgot to post one last week... Understandable, I had holidays until Jan.7, I wasn't much on the Internet... Well, forget it, here it is, the first thread of 2006. I wanted to dedicate it to a brief character, but first I thought that we wouldn't be able to talk much about that character so I figured what character is brief, yes, but also intriguing or fascinating to the point that he or she is mentioned often in the Gazette....

The clear answer was, of course, Jeffries, but we have talked about him lots of times. So we're gonna keep him out of this....for the moment...

Judge Sternwood fascinates me, yes, he seems to be a brilliant man, a man who could have provided a lot to the show. But sadly, as we all know, he only has a fantastic introductory scene and a couple of appearances before he disappears. He could have been perfect to TP, a man similar to Coop or Briggs, but older than the first and less secretive than the second. I've always thought that Mr. Lanterman was very similar to Sternwood... I love that that first scene of him, a stormy night, Lucy in the sheriff's station hall and that huge man entering the door and hugging her and I love what he had to say about the woods, their hard jobs and Valhalla... I even love that his weakness (if we can call it that way) are pretty girls, did he allowed Leo to be in Shelly's custody because she was beautiful? And what was going on between him and Sid? This last question is a retorical one... I must say I share that weakness, and some of my coworkers in the post office sometimes tell me...

So tell me your impressions about Sternwood, did he cause in you as much impression as he did in me? What he could have provided to the series? Why he's such a brief character? Was something planned for him, but later it was dropped? Is he gifted perhaps? 

Clinton Sternwood...I agree with ya Gordon on the first scene with him, storming like a mo fo outside, Lucy all weepy, right away he seemed like such a gentle character, especially with the hug to Lucy. He is a lot like Coop...the first time he sees Harry, "What's her name, Harry?", he mentions of his likeness to a fella with filly trouble. Was it body language? It always makes me giggle when Coop comes out, hurriedly buttoning his suit coat, eager to meet Clinton. Harry chuckles, "You two should have a lot in common." Sternwood is no nonsense, like when he asks Coop how he likes Twin Peaks. Coop, trying to impress, says, "Heaven." Not missing a beat, Sternwood says, "This week Heaven includes, arson, mutliple homicides, and an attempt on the life of a federal agent." One of my fave quotes of his, ever!  Another favorite scene of mine is the Black Yukon Sucker Punch scene. I'm not sure why--he's just so lovable in it! He provides some nice comic relief, something that is often hard to do, especially with the drama of Twin Peaks *but hey, isn't that one of the things that made it so damn great? ;)*---while being able to have the intense staying power of such dramatic scenes as when Harry, Coop and Sternwood are in the conference room, with Leland before them after he was arrested. I would have loved to see a scene between he and Briggs. That would have been interesting, as he and Coop played off each other so perfectly, very similar to how Coop and Briggs did. One other fave scene is just after the Leland/dramatic scene, when we first meet sid, his "law clerk" --wink wink--, when he says they're going to, "Hook up the winnie and dine in the Timber Room..." he has such a wolfish gleam in his eyes, "See ya in court." Love it!!!!  I also love the scene at the Roadhouse, where  they are holding court---and Lodwick is getting all hot and bothered, Sternwood finally has it and starts banging his gavel, "ALL RIGHT!" Then clears his throat---his expressions are perfect.

Another fave quote, "This poor bastard...he seems to be a head of cabbage." The kicker here is while he's being sincere, the gentle humor of his character comes shining through. One more, when he first meets Coop, "How are ya, lad?" LAD! HA!

I feel that Clinton is gifted...perhaps like Coop and Briggs...as Gordon mentioned, I think there was more planned for Sternwood...perhaps something that would come out with the whole Bob/Coop/Black Lodge mess...he seems to be a very spiritual man, and one of great knowledge. He and Hawk would have some good scenes as well, I think.

What a great character. 

A nice possibility is that those guys, Sternwood and Co. or more probably other Bookhouse Boys preceeding them (let's say, in the 30s) came up with the symbology of his group and the things related to the Lodge, more specifically the symbol in the patch, sword and tree, and naming a circle of trees like King Arthur's legendary burial place...like a rebirth of the form of the rounded table (were there 12 knights like the 12 sycamore trees??). The white shield and the sword from the ep.29 script also come to mind , and something else from the Access Guide which I don't remember at the moment...

They added elements from the Arthurical myths to the already established native folklore about the Lodge ("Local legend, goes way back") and I bet they felt themselves like Percival, Galahad and the rest in the quest of something bigger than the Holy Grail...

This thread has turned into something really interesting, not much to do with Sternwood, but I like very much this subject..

I can't say enough about good 'ol Judge Sternwood. I wish we could have had more of him. I have a feeling if we had been given a thrid season we would have seen the return of him at some point. I also like the idea of him being part of an earlier generation of Bookhouse Boys, who would be a better one? Not many, I think. His disposition and attitude was just great and so many great lines over his few appearances. The "cabbage" line is probably my favorite but some others....

"You have the look of a fella with philly trouble. If they won't take to the saddle you have two options and I won't bore you with either one of them."

"This week heaven includes arson, multiple homicides and an attempt on the life of a federal agent."

"You have to watch these...they sneak up on you."

"Who do you have to grease around here to get a cup of coffee?"

"Every day holds a new beginning and every hour holds the promise of an Invitation to Love."