The BEST episodes of Twin Peaks season 1

Every episode of Twin Peaks season 1, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best episodes of Twin Peaks season 1!

The body of a young girl is washed up on a beach near the small Washington state town of Twin Peaks. Eccentric FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper is called in to investigate her strange demise only to uncover a web of mystery that ultimately leads him deep into the heart of the surrounding woodland and his very own soul. Season 3 - also known as Twin Peaks: The Return - is set 25 years after the events of Seasons 1 and 2.

Last Updated: 11/4/2024Network: Paramount+ with ShowtimeStatus: Ended
The Last Evening
star
8.35
1828 votes

#1 - The Last Evening

Season 1 - Episode 8 - Aired 5/23/1990

Audrey is hired at One Eyed Jack's, but is caught in a trap when her father arrives. Cooper gets Jacques Renault to reveal the details of Laura's last night in the cabin. Deputy Andy saves Truman's life and apprehends Renault. Lucy has a surprise for Andy. Dr. Jacoby is attacked in the park. James, Donna and Maddy find Laura's last tape and retrieve the necklace. Cooper finds the coke planted in James's bike. Leo traps Shelly in the mill and sets it on fire. Hank lures Catherine to the burning mill, then goes after Leo. Nadine overdoses on sleeping pills. Leland Palmer takes revenge. Cooper, arriving back at the Great Northern Hotel, is shot three times. To Be Continued...

Directors: Mark Frost (I)
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Zen, or the Skill to Catch a Killer
star
8.01
2466 votes

#2 - Zen, or the Skill to Catch a Killer

Season 1 - Episode 3 - Aired 4/19/1990

Ben Horne's brother, Jerry, arrives in Twin Peaks; James and Donna decide to be together; Ben & Jerry travel to One Eyed Jacks and meet with its madam, Blackie O'Rielly; Audrey leaves a clue for Cooper; Deputy Hawk finds a bloody towel near the crime scene; Cooper demonstrates a unique deductive technique; The cynical Special Agent Albert Rosenfield arrives to examine the body of Laura Palmer; Josie discovers Catherine has been keeping two ledgers; Leo takes his anger out on Shelly; Agent Cooper has a mysterious dream about the crime.

Directors: David Lynch
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Realization Time
star
7.93
1917 votes

#3 - Realization Time

Season 1 - Episode 7 - Aired 5/17/1990

Audrey cons her way into working at the perfume counter where Laura worked. She discovers that it's being used as a recruitment post for One Eyed Jack's. James, Donna and Maddy plan to lure Jacoby away from his office. Cooper and Big Ed go under cover at One Eyed Jack's. Nadine's drape runners are rejected. Truman asks for Cooper's help regarding Josie's fears about the Mill. Leo sets his sights on Bobby Briggs and Waldo the Bird. Bobby sets up James Hurley. Ben and Josie decide to double cross Catherine.

Directors: Caleb Deschanel
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Northwest Passage
star
7.90
3672 votes

#4 - Northwest Passage

Season 1 - Episode 1 - Aired 4/8/1990

The small northwest town of Twin Peaks, Washington is shaken up when the body of the Homecoming Queen, Laura Palmer, is discovered washed up on a riverbank, wrapped in plastic. Meanwhile, the rebellious Audrey Horne ruins a business deal for her father Benjamin.

Directors: David Lynch
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The One-Armed Man
star
7.74
2107 votes

#5 - The One-Armed Man

Season 1 - Episode 5 - Aired 5/3/1990

Cooper questions Dr. Jacoby, who suspects Leo Johnson is the killer. Cooper's supervisior, Gordon Cole, calls in with Albert's report. Josie Packard spies on Ben Horne and Catherine Martell. Hawk tracks down the One Armed Man. Mrs. Palmer shares her vision of the killer, the same man Cooper saw in his dream (BOB). Truman and Cooper find the bird who attacked Laura belonged to Leo's friend, Jacques Renault. Hank Jennings has his parole hearing and makes a threatening phone call to Josie.

Directors: Tim Hunter
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Cooper's Dreams
star
7.74
2048 votes

#6 - Cooper's Dreams

Season 1 - Episode 6 - Aired 5/10/1990

Cooper and company have tea with the Log Lady. The Log Lady tells them there was a third man following after Leo and Jaques the night Laura died. At the cabin of Jaquces Renault, Cooper, Hawk and Truman find Waldo the bird. The bird not only attacked Laura the night she died, but he can also talk. Cooper finds a poker chip from One Eyed Jacks. Hank returns home to Norma. The Briggs family visits Dr. Jacoby. Audrey takes a job at the perfume counter where Laura and Ronette worked. Shelly takes her revenge on Leo. Audrey has a surprise for Agent Cooper.

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Rest in Pain
star
7.69
2164 votes

#7 - Rest in Pain

Season 1 - Episode 4 - Aired 4/26/1990

The next morning, Cooper meets with Audrey, who confesses to leaving him the note about One Eyed Jack's. Cooper tells Truman he can't remember who the killer was in his dream, but insists the dream is a code to solving the crime. Albert, after offending everyone in town, is forced to end his autopsy early. Albert and Truman come to blows. Bobby, James and Leland all make a scene at Laura's funeral. Laura's identical cousin, Maddy, arrives in town. Norma's husband, Hank Jennings, is up for parole. Cooper has suspicions about Dr. Jacoby. Leland shows signs of cracking.

Directors: Tina Rathbourne
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Traces to Nowhere
star
7.67
2743 votes

#8 - Traces to Nowhere

Season 1 - Episode 2 - Aired 4/12/1990

Agent Cooper enjoys the comforts of the Great Northern Hotel; Bobby Briggs and Mike Nelson are released from jail; Doctor Hayward hands over the autopsy report on Laura Palmer; Cooper and Truman interview Josie Packard; Audrey Horne and Donna Hayward vow to solve Laura's murder; Sarah Palmer has a vision of a grey-haird man; Doctor Jacoby conceals important information.

Directors: Duwayne Dunham
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