"Part 2", also known as "The Return, Part 2", is the second episode of the third season of the TV series Twin Peaks. It was written by Mark Frost and David Lynch, directed by Lynch, and stars Kyle MacLachlan. "Part 2" was broadcast on Showtime along with Part 1 on May 21, 2017, and seen by an audience of 506,000 viewers in the United States. In addition, the two episodes were shown as a feature at the 2017 Cannes Film Festival, where they received a standing ovation. The episode received critical acclaim.
Plot
Background
The small town of Twin Peaks, Washington, has been shocked by the murder of schoolgirl Laura Palmer (Sheryl Lee) and the attempted murder of her friend Ronette Pulaski (Phoebe Augustine). FBI special agent Dale Cooper (Kyle MacLachlan) has been sent to the town to investigate and has discovered that the killer was Laura's father, Leland Palmer (Ray Wise), who acted while possessed by a demonic entity, Killer BOB (Frank Silva). At the end of the original series, BOB trapped Cooper in the Black Lodge, an extra-dimensional place, and let out Cooper's doppelgänger to use him for physical access to the world. 25 years later, Cooper's doppelgänger roams freely through the world, with Cooper still inside the Lodge. Meanwhile, in New York City, Sam Colby (Benjamin Rosenfield) has been hired to observe a glass cube; when he brings Tracey Barberato (Madeline Zima) into the room and the two start having sex, a creature, the Experiment Model (Erica Aynon), appears in the glass box, breaks out of it, and slaughters them. In Buckhorn, South Dakota, school principal William Hastings (Matthew Lillard) is accused of murdering Ruth Davenport (Mary Stofle), the school librarian, much to the chagrin of his wife, Phyllis (Cornelia Guest).
Events
In Buckhorn, Hastings sits inside his cell, seemingly anxious. Detective Dave Macklay (Brent Briscoe) accompanies Hastings's wife Phyllis in the cell, warning them that the visit will be short; Hastings thanks him. Phyllis tells Hastings that according to their attorney, George Bautzer (Neil Dickson), he will not be released on bail; Hastings insists that he did not kill Davenport, but says he dreamt about being there. Phyllis insists that he was there, and reveals that she knew about his affair with Davenport; Hastings responds that he knew she was having an affair with George and possibly someone else. She taunts him with the prospect of a life in prison; Macklay comes to dismiss Phyllis, leaving Hastings in despair. At the station's entrance, Phyllis meets George, informs him that Bill is aware of their affair, and instructs him not to walk her out and to meet her later at her place; George then discusses with Macklay how Hastings and Phyllis feel. Two cells away from Hastings, a dark figure (Stewart Strauss) sits on the bed and disappears, leaving only its head to float upward. Phyllis returns home; in the living room, she finds Cooper's doppelgänger, whom she recognizes and greets as a pleasant surprise. The doppelgänger says that she followed human nature perfectly and then shoots her in the head with George's gun, which he then drops.
In Las Vegas, Nevada, Duncan Todd (Patrick Fischler) calls Roger (Joe Adler) in his office; after handing him money, he instructs him to tell "her" that she has the job. Roger asks Todd why he lets "him" do "these things," to which Todd replies that Roger had better not get involved with people like "him".
In a restaurant, Cooper's doppelgänger eats creamed corn with Darya (Nicole LaLiberte), Ray (George Griffith) and Jack (Steve Baker). Ray ironically remarks that Jack barely touched his "three dinners"; he then discusses the plan for the coming days with the doppelgänger, who says he will need to be on his own for a while. Ray assures the doppelgänger that he will get the information he needs from Betty, Hastings's secretary; the doppelgänger replies that he doesn't need the information, but wants it.
In the Ghostwood forest, Hawk (Michael Horse) searches through the woods with a flashlight. He receives a call from Margaret Lanterman (Catherine Coulson), who asks him where he is walking. When Hawk replies that something is supposed to happen there, Margaret says, "the stars turn and the time presents itself," and tells Hawk to be careful, inviting him for coffee and pie at her house. Hawk thanks her and promises to tell her what happens, then ends the call; he arrives at Glastonbury Grove, where red curtains faintly appear and disappear.