From: dan@wombat.gnu.ai.mit.edu (Dan Parmenter)
Subject: Re: LMFAP and Mike
Followup-To: alt.tv.twin-peaks
Organization: /home/fsg/dan/.organization
	<1992Oct7.213623.16014@cheshire.oxy.edu>
Date: Thu, 8 Oct 1992 14:00:22 GMT

I'm not convinced that the "rules" of the Black Lodge denizens are so
specific regarding which entity is the "true face", which is the
"host" etc.  Are we to assume, for example, that if the One-armer
looked into a mirror, he'd see the Dwarf looking back at him?  Perhaps
MIKE and BOB operate by different rules.  Furthermore, the Waiter and
the Giant aren't necessarily related in that way either, as I recall,
one or the other says "One and the same", which could be interpreted
in a variety of different ways.  The "metaphysics" of Twin Peaks are
never really unambiguously laid out.  I'm not even entirely certain
about the relationship between the inhabiting spirit and the inhabited
host.  Leland began to resemble BOB and began to betray his
otherworldly connections by dancing compulsively.  Was this merely BOB
egging the investigators on by giving them more and more clues, yet
staying one step ahead at all times?  We certainly never see Phil Gerard
compulsively dance or take on characteristics of MIKE.  

My guess is that when BOB inhabits people he tends to shift forms a
fair amount for his own amusement (and for dramatic purposes of
course) whereas MIKE prefers a constant state.  But who can say?  Does
Mrs. Tremond inhabit anyone?  Do they all have "familiars" and hosts?

One of my pet theories about TP has always been that the forces of
good and the forces of evil are somewhat organized into particular
relationships, whether in the "real" world or in the shadows of the
supernatural.  A perfect example of that is MIKE and BOB in the Black
Lodge being paralleled by Mike and Bobby in our world, a relationship
that Laura obliquely comments upon in FWWM.  Both sets are partners in
crime.  What light this sheds on things is unclear, but I see it as
one of the themes of TP - that there are peculiar parallels between
our world and the spirit realm and more importantly, specific
character dynamics which almost amount to a hierarchy of good and
evil.  There are constant battles between people and their "superiors"
(people who have more power) such as the various conflicts between
federal and local authorities (both in FWWM and Albert's early
relations with Truman), Bobby being scared by Leo, who is in turn
intimidated by Hank, who ultimately gets beaten up by Nadine :-)  You
get the picture.  

My other pet theory, which might also shed some light on things, is
that the Dwarf and the Giant and the various other denizens of the
Lodges, really are the dwarves, giants, wizards and witches of
folklore but that they have simply changed with the times - dwarves
(or at least this one) seem to favor kind of a Vegas look, whereas
modern day giants favor natty white shirts and bow ties.  MIKE, a sort
of sorcerer type, seems to have abandoned the robes and pointy hats of
his forebears in favor of more practical gear.  Mrs. Tremond is
clearly in the classic Crone mode.  My point here being, the
relationships between mythological creatures might shed some light on
the relationships between these modern manifestations.

- Dan

--
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| Dan Parmenter       |"I'm waiting for a time, when I can do without these  |
| dan@gnu.ai.mit.edu  | things that make me feel this way all of the time"   |
|                     |                            - Spiritualized           |
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