Hi everyone,

I was lucky enough to have a chance to see the first 24 minutes of Cameron Cloutier’s Twin Peaks fan film project, Queen of Hearts yesterday. As you know, I’ve been posting updates about this project as it has developed over the past few years. In terms of knowledge of the source material, I don’t think there are more than a handful of people around the globe who are in the same league. That was never in doubt as I watched this project rumble on in my various social media feeds. I knew it would be faithful; I knew it would fit in with the lore.

I just didn’t know whether it would be any good!

THANK GOD I DON’T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THAT ANYMORE!

I should have known. The first hint I got actually came before this 24 minute mini episode that I was gifted. It came when he shared a few seconds of an effects shot he was working on. It felt really in keeping with the Twin Peaks aesthetic and carried with it that immediate sense of danger that came with the original show. You never knew what would horror would be juxtaposed with the comforting soap opera beats.

Having seen that, I approached this opening part with some trepidation. Would it be good? Would the acting be of a suitable quality? would it stand up for itself?

Well, ladies and gentlemen, I can assuredly say that any worries I had are now laid to rest like Dougie Milford.

I said this on Twitter. You can tell before the titles kick in that this is special. It has that feel; that certain way of pointing a camera that just transports you back to 1990. And the titles, wow. The editing is superb, leading shot to shot in such a way that you could be forgiven for thinking it was canon.

I can’t give a lot away in this piece. I just wanted to give a flavour of what we’re in for…

The actors have clearly done their research, especially the two leads. Madison Bates delivers as Annie; building on what we thought we knew about her in season 2. Nico Abiera as Cooper is spot on! I thought, from what I’d seen already, that he had got a grip on the goofy, charming side of Agent Cooper. He’s so much more than that. This guy delivers on the other side too. He can be creepy as hell when he wants.

The tone is very much a continuation of Season 2. It fits right in there and I can’t wait to see more. The editing is top notch and will remind you so much of the original show. Additionally, the arrangement of cameras, angles and what is packed within a shot also reminded me of the original.

However, let’s not take this as a simple love letter to the show. It would have been easy to do that. What is more important is whether this piece has its own story to tell in this world. From the first 24 minutes, the answer is a resounding “yes”. I can’t wait to see the rest.

Cameron, I apologise for my doubts. You’ve created something beautiful, and I congratulate you on making it happen after so many things conspired to get in your way.

Thanks for reading,

Richard