I've seen lists on here and Dugpa from time to time where people list their favorite episodes and they usually for the most part end up being the same four or five episodes.  What is your favorite episode of Twin Peaks, including counting the Pilot and FWWM as individual episodes?  If Hank Jennings was holding a gun to your head and you had to pick just ONE, what would yours be?

My personal favorite, which I will be watching again tonight, is Episode 14 , the Lynch directed masterpiece that contains one of the most horrifying murder scenes in television history followed by one of the most emotionally stirring scenes with the aftermath of this event in the air at the Roadhouse and the emotional impact it has on the citizens of Twin Peaks.  It is happening again.  The World Spins.

What is yours?

"Harry, I'm going to let you in on a little secret. Every day, once a day, give yourself a present. Don't plan it, don't wait for it, just let it happen. Could be a new shirt at the men's store, a catnap in your office chair, or two cups of good, hot, black coffee. Like this."  -Dale Cooper

This is a difficult decision, but I must consider Episode 2 to be my favorite. The Tibetan rock throwing method, Audrey’s dance, Leland’s dance with Laura’s photograph, Agent Cooper’s dream and the investigation as it was within its initial stages, the simplicity and focus of the series upon the murder of Laura Palmer, motivate me to favor this episode.

As much as I like some of the others, I would not hesitate. 

The last episode, #29. Incredible stuff. Dale finally confronts the evil of Twin Peaks...and loses. "Under the Sycamore Trees" - the best TP song, and written specifically for that episode, performed "live" as if to say "welcome to the black lodge, forever". What an ending! I still wonder sometimes if I would like the show as much if they continued it. It seems like a lucky accident that it was canceled just in time for the greatest ending in TV history.

That is an excellent argument for Episode 2, Sue Blue.  I picked Episode 14, but the majority of fans may go with Episode 2 or the Pilot.  Followed closely by Episode 14 and 29.  I wonder if any non-Lynch directed episodes will make it into the mix, and also if the Lynch episodes not mentioned yet (Episodes 8 and 9) are anyone's favorite.

Current vote tally - 1 vote Episode 14, 4 votes Episode 2, 1 vote Episode 29, 1 vote Pilot
 

"Harry, I'm going to let you in on a little secret. Every day, once a day, give yourself a present. Don't plan it, don't wait for it, just let it happen. Could be a new shirt at the men's store, a catnap in your office chair, or two cups of good, hot, black coffee. Like this."  -Dale Cooper

Seconded. Those scenes are all wonderful, though I'd also add Ben and Jerry stuffing themselves with baguettes, and the arrival of Albert. It was this ep (not the slightly overrated pilot) that really convinced me the series was a classic.

I must confess I find it odd to call this Episode 2, though I suppose it's accepted now. I've never understood how a pilot episode can be anything other than Episode 1.

And I agree, it's probably the most definitive episode- has everyone in perfect form for their characters- has arguably the three iconic moments from the show -the rock throw, Audrey's diner dance, and of course, the dream.

If you had to pick one episode and show it to someone, this is it -"This is Twin Peaks."

My personal favorite -the one I kept rewatching and rewatching before the second season premiere was the combo of 1.05 and 1.06 (it aired together on the rebroadcast and it always seemed like one great long episode). Agent Audrey at the perfume counter rocking those scenes.

"Harry, I'm going to let you in on a little secret. Every day, once a day, give yourself a present. Don't plan it, don't wait for it, just let it happen. Could be a new shirt at the men's store, a catnap in your office chair, or two cups of good, hot, black coffee. Like this."  -Dale Cooper

     Episode 14

  It was so shocking at the time for television and still is.

I'm one of the few people that actually hate episode 16.  And find that the real beginning of the decline.

I think it's over-directed, not particularly well written, the Roadhouse scene is something out of another series, the solution simplified and trivialized, and that damn compueter owl at the end.  And the first episode with no Audrey -shame!

Episode 2 - 4 votes

Episode 14- 3 votes

Pilot - 2 votes

Episode 29 - 1 vote

"Harry, I'm going to let you in on a little secret. Every day, once a day, give yourself a present. Don't plan it, don't wait for it, just let it happen. Could be a new shirt at the men's store, a catnap in your office chair, or two cups of good, hot, black coffee. Like this."  -Dale Cooper

"There is no need for medicine. I am not in pain."