When Twin Peaks ended in 1991, audiences were left with a warning: ‘I’ll see you again in 25 years’. Much of the show’s surrealism wasn’t to be taken literally, but this time showrunners David Lynch and Mark Frost made good on their word, releasing Twin Peaks: The Return a quarter century later to rapturous acclaim. This course will explore how The Return both built upon and shattered much of what the series established throug...
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This online film studies course will explore Twin Peaks: The Return, one of the most avant garde series ever released to television screens. Even more esoteric and experimental than the series that preceded it, The Return received both near universal critical acclaim and a vast array of thematic dissections, all trying - much like fans of the original series - to ‘figure out’ the events of the show. This course doesn’t promise to give you the answers; however, it will give learners a framework for discussing the series through lenses like surrealism, streaming, and fan cultures, providing new ways in to this famously impenetrable ‘limited event series’. This will be done through explorations of David Lynch and Mark Frost’s creative processes, analyses of particular scenes, and discussions around the culture that led to (and responded to) the existence of The Return.
What will we cover?
The course will be broadly chronological, beginning with the end of the original Twin Peaks’ series and the development of The Return and concluding with the legacy of this unusual project in TV history. However, we will not be going through the episodes in order; instead, we will look at the series holistically, centring analyses on themes and motifs rather than individual sections of the show. However, significant attention will still be given to particular scenes and episodes, which will be discussed throughout the sessions.
Within this structure, we will be both delving into and exploring the perimeter of the show, formally analysing individual scenes and episodes through the lens of cinematic surrealism, genre, and Lynch’s larger body of work while also asking what place The Return has in the broader context of the streaming era, reboots, and internet fan dissections of popular media.
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
• Demonstrate an understanding of the cultural and industrial contexts around Twin Peaks: The Return • Analyse the formal attributes of particular scenes with confidence • Understand how the series fits into the broader oeuvres of David Lynch and Mark Frost
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
The course is for all levels - although The Return can be complex to understand and discuss, and the course is suitable for anyone who enjoys visual media that provokes thought and discussion
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
Each week will consist of a two-hour session with a five-minute break in the middle. There will be sections in more of a lecture format, but there will be regular opportunities for discussion throughout. There will be short, selected readings to complete on some weeks prior to the session (these being non-academic and in accessible language), while other resources including clips and academic articles will be included in the lecture and discussion.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Everything required for the course will be provided within the lectures and in materials shared before the session - while watching the various Twin Peaks series (and the film Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me) will likely give you a greater opportunity to contribute to discussions, this is not mandatory to engage with and enjoy the course.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Please look also for other Film Studies courses under History Culture and Writing/Film Studies at www.citylit.ac.uk.
Zoe Crombie is a film studies lecturer and researcher based at Lancaster University who specialises in Japanese animation. She has articles on Studio Ghibli in academic publications like the Journal of Anime and Manga Studies, and has presented on animation at international conferences. Additionally, she works as a film critic, with bylines at publications like Little White Lies, Vulture, and The Skinny.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/cult-tv-twin-peaks-the-return3058108Cult TV: Twin Peaks - The Returnhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/_the-future-is-now_-an-introduction-to-video-art-vb692-1024.jpg189189GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Film studies/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Film studies/TV & media studies/Courses/Online courses228511771580209717311228511771580<p>When <em>Twin Peaks</em> ended in 1991, audiences were left with a warning: ‘I’ll see you again in 25 years’. Much of the show’s surrealism wasn’t to be taken literally, but this time showrunners David Lynch and Mark Frost made good on their word, releasing <em>Twin Peaks: The Return</em> a quarter century later to rapturous acclaim. This course will explore how The Return both built upon and shattered much of what the series established through contexts like reboots, streaming, and Lynch’s wider oeuvre.</p>003058099Cult TV: Twin Peaks - The Return189189https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/_the-future-is-now_-an-introduction-to-video-art-vb692-1024.jpgInStockEveningMonOnlineAvailable courses5-10 weeksWeekday2026-09-14T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allSep 2026Culture, history & humanitiesHF429189189Cult TV: Twin Peaks - The Return189123189Zoe Crombiecult-tv-twin-peaks-the-return/hf429-2627<p>When <em>Twin Peaks</em> ended in 1991, audiences were left with a warning: ‘I’ll see you again in 25 years’. Much of the show’s surrealism wasn’t to be taken literally, but this time showrunners David Lynch and Mark Frost made good on their word, releasing <em>Twin Peaks: The Return</em> a quarter century later to rapturous acclaim. This course will explore how The Return both built upon and shattered much of what the series established through contexts like reboots, streaming, and Lynch’s wider oeuvre.</p>0000-Available|2026-09-14 00:00:00<p>This online film studies course will explore <em>Twin Peaks: The Return</em>, one of the most avant garde series ever released to television screens. Even more esoteric and experimental than the series that preceded it, <em>The Return</em> received both near universal critical acclaim and a vast array of thematic dissections, all trying - much like fans of the original series - to ‘figure out’ the events of the show. This course doesn’t promise to give you the answers; however, it will give learners a framework for discussing the series through lenses like surrealism, streaming, and fan cultures, providing new ways in to this famously impenetrable ‘limited event series’. This will be done through explorations of David Lynch and Mark Frost’s creative processes, analyses of particular scenes, and discussions around the culture that led to (and responded to) the existence of <em>The Return</em>.</p><p>When <em>Twin Peaks</em> ended in 1991, audiences were left with a warning: ‘I’ll see you again in 25 years’. Much of the show’s surrealism wasn’t to be taken literally, but this time showrunners David Lynch and Mark Frost made good on their word, releasing <em>Twin Peaks: The Return</em> a quarter century later to rapturous acclaim. This course will explore how The Return both built upon and shattered much of what the series established through contexts like reboots, streaming, and Lynch’s wider oeuvre.</p><p>The course will be broadly chronological, beginning with the end of the original <em>Twin Peaks</em>’ series and the development of <em>The Return</em> and concluding with the legacy of this unusual project in TV history. However, we will not be going through the episodes in order; instead, we will look at the series holistically, centring analyses on themes and motifs rather than individual sections of the show. However, significant attention will still be given to particular scenes and episodes, which will be discussed throughout the sessions.</p><p>Within this structure, we will be both delving into and exploring the perimeter of the show, formally analysing individual scenes and episodes through the lens of cinematic surrealism, genre, and Lynch’s larger body of work while also asking what place <em>The Return</em> has in the broader context of the streaming era, reboots, and internet fan dissections of popular media.<br> </p><p>• Demonstrate an understanding of the cultural and industrial contexts around <em>Twin Peaks: The Return</em><br>• Analyse the formal attributes of particular scenes with confidence<br>• Understand how the series fits into the broader oeuvres of David Lynch and Mark Frost<br> </p><p>The course is for all levels - although <em>The Return</em> can be complex to understand and discuss, and the course is suitable for anyone who enjoys visual media that provokes thought and discussion</p><p>Each week will consist of a two-hour session with a five-minute break in the middle. There will be sections in more of a lecture format, but there will be regular opportunities for discussion throughout. There will be short, selected readings to complete on some weeks prior to the session (these being non-academic and in accessible language), while other resources including clips and academic articles will be included in the lecture and discussion.</p><p>Everything required for the course will be provided within the lectures and in materials shared before the session - while watching the various <em>Twin Peaks</em> series (and the film <em>Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me</em>) will likely give you a greater opportunity to contribute to discussions, this is not mandatory to engage with and enjoy the course.</p><p>Please look also for other Film Studies courses under History Culture and Writing/Film Studies at www.citylit.ac.uk.</p>Film studiesTV & media studiesvirtual189189123HF429NONEMon14/09/26 - 19/10/2618:30 - 20:3018:3020:306 sessions (over 6 weeks)65-10 weeksWeekdayOnlineOnlineZoe CrombieBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2026-09-14T00:00:00+00:00EveningSep 2026Culture, history & humanities189189Cult TV: Twin Peaks - The Returncult-tv-twin-peaks-the-return/hf429-2627<p>When <em>Twin Peaks</em> ended in 1991, audiences were left with a warning: ‘I’ll see you again in 25 years’. Much of the show’s surrealism wasn’t to be taken literally, but this time showrunners David Lynch and Mark Frost made good on their word, releasing <em>Twin Peaks: The Return</em> a quarter century later to rapturous acclaim. This course will explore how The Return both built upon and shattered much of what the series established through contexts like reboots, streaming, and Lynch’s wider oeuvre.</p>0000-Available|2026-09-14 00:00:00<p>This online film studies course will explore <em>Twin Peaks: The Return</em>, one of the most avant garde series ever released to television screens. Even more esoteric and experimental than the series that preceded it, <em>The Return</em> received both near universal critical acclaim and a vast array of thematic dissections, all trying - much like fans of the original series - to ‘figure out’ the events of the show. This course doesn’t promise to give you the answers; however, it will give learners a framework for discussing the series through lenses like surrealism, streaming, and fan cultures, providing new ways in to this famously impenetrable ‘limited event series’. This will be done through explorations of David Lynch and Mark Frost’s creative processes, analyses of particular scenes, and discussions around the culture that led to (and responded to) the existence of <em>The Return</em>.</p><p>When <em>Twin Peaks</em> ended in 1991, audiences were left with a warning: ‘I’ll see you again in 25 years’. Much of the show’s surrealism wasn’t to be taken literally, but this time showrunners David Lynch and Mark Frost made good on their word, releasing <em>Twin Peaks: The Return</em> a quarter century later to rapturous acclaim. This course will explore how The Return both built upon and shattered much of what the series established through contexts like reboots, streaming, and Lynch’s wider oeuvre.</p><p>The course will be broadly chronological, beginning with the end of the original <em>Twin Peaks</em>’ series and the development of <em>The Return</em> and concluding with the legacy of this unusual project in TV history. However, we will not be going through the episodes in order; instead, we will look at the series holistically, centring analyses on themes and motifs rather than individual sections of the show. However, significant attention will still be given to particular scenes and episodes, which will be discussed throughout the sessions.</p><p>Within this structure, we will be both delving into and exploring the perimeter of the show, formally analysing individual scenes and episodes through the lens of cinematic surrealism, genre, and Lynch’s larger body of work while also asking what place <em>The Return</em> has in the broader context of the streaming era, reboots, and internet fan dissections of popular media.<br> </p><p>• Demonstrate an understanding of the cultural and industrial contexts around <em>Twin Peaks: The Return</em><br>• Analyse the formal attributes of particular scenes with confidence<br>• Understand how the series fits into the broader oeuvres of David Lynch and Mark Frost<br> </p><p>The course is for all levels - although <em>The Return</em> can be complex to understand and discuss, and the course is suitable for anyone who enjoys visual media that provokes thought and discussion</p><p>Each week will consist of a two-hour session with a five-minute break in the middle. There will be sections in more of a lecture format, but there will be regular opportunities for discussion throughout. There will be short, selected readings to complete on some weeks prior to the session (these being non-academic and in accessible language), while other resources including clips and academic articles will be included in the lecture and discussion.</p><p>Everything required for the course will be provided within the lectures and in materials shared before the session - while watching the various <em>Twin Peaks</em> series (and the film <em>Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me</em>) will likely give you a greater opportunity to contribute to discussions, this is not mandatory to engage with and enjoy the course.</p><p>Please look also for other Film Studies courses under History Culture and Writing/Film Studies at www.citylit.ac.uk.</p>Film studiesTV & media studiesconfigurable
20971580TV & media studieshttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/humanities/film-studies/tv-media-studies1/2/285/1177/1580/20971/Courses/Culture, history & humanities/Film studies/TV & media studies
