Twin Peaks pilot? (1 Viewer)

[Gary Cliff]

I have never seen an episode of this series, but I found a second season set real cheap, so I picked it up. Of course, I want to watch the pilot and first season before watching the second season, but I can't find the pilot anywhere except in the Definitive Gold Box Edition. Is the pilot available anywhere else? Alternatively, will season 1 make sense without having watched the pilot?

 

[Hollywoodaholic]

In a word (on the second question), No. Regards to the first; the pilot was available on it's own in a region-free but poor quality import, which you can probably still find on eBay, but you're better off just going with the gold box set which includes both the pilot and first season (or renting from Netflix). The second season is somewhat pointless (and not as good) without it. This was the series that basically invented (or re-invented), serialized appointment-viewing television. Nightclubs in L.A. used to come to a stop for piped-in viewings. Course, altered states and a social audience added to the "buzz." Invite friends for your screenings, serve pie and coffee, and enjoy.

 

[whisperintherain]

If you have a region-free player, you can always get the UK release of the first season in R2, which, unlike the R1 version, DOES include the pilot.

 

[Corey3rd]

You're going to need a friend with the Gold Box. without the first season - especially the pilot, you'll be even more confused.

 

[TravisR]

I'm pretty sure you can still rent it from Netflix too.

 

[Malcolm R]

Definitely a series that needs to be watched in sequential order starting with the pilot episode.

There were apparently some legal issues which kept the pilot episode from being available on video in the U.S. I believe the Gold Box version is the first authorized version of the pilot in Region 1.

Also, be aware that the region-free disc is the international version which included a tacked-on ending (so it could be shown theatrically as a self-contained film) that is essentially a spoiler for the series. If you end up watching this version, you will need to stop watching before the end or you will spoil much of the rest of the series. If you borrow/watch the U.S. network version of the pilot from the Gold Box, you should be fine.

 

[David Rain]

Yes, it was very frustrating to not be able to get the pilot together with the other eps. For a long time this was a burr in the saddle of many TP fans.

By the way, this topic could and should have been posted in one of the other TP threads instead of creating a brand-new thread just for this. Please use the search engine folks.

 

[SD_Brian]

Not true: the region-free disc had the original broadcast version of the pilot.

That said, if you really want to own Twin Peaks, you'd be best off to return season 2 for a refund and just splurge for the gold box, especially considering that season 1 (as a stand alone) is long out of print and by the time you've hunted down the individual releases, you'll have spent the same as if you'd just gone the gold box route to begin with. Plus, the gold box is well worth the money.

 

[Pete Battista]

This is the exact reason I blind bought the Gold Box... and I am not sorry at all... I enjoyed every minute of it... and could not stop watching it till I made it all the way through the whole set.

Though I will admit that I personally was not impressed with Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me. Which I bought the same time I bought the Gold Box set.

 

[TravisR]

Over time, that movie has really grown in many people's estimations. I grew to love it but it took a couple of viewings.

 

[Pete Battista]

That is good to know... I will be sure to give it another chance. Thanks.

 

[joshEH]

Travis beat me to it.

I used to be utterly baffled by Fire Walk With Me, but now it's one of Lynch's three best feature films in my opinion, and much clarity came to me after re-watching it a few more times.

It's stock has certainly risen hugely amongst film cognoscenti in the 15 years since its release...it's one of Lynch's underrated classics that's only grown in stature over the decades.

(And, oh yeah...the Gold Box rules.)