Ep 3. Zen, or the Skill to Catch a Killer

In Twin Peaks season 1 episode 3, titled "Zen, or the Skill to Catch a Killer," the town is still reeling from the brutal murder of Laura Palmer. Agent Cooper continues to investigate the case, with the help of the local sheriff's department.

The episode begins with Cooper and Truman meeting with several of the town's residents to try to gather information about Laura and her connections to others in the community. They also analyze the strange letters and symbols found under Laura's fingernail, and Cooper begins to use unconventional methods to try to decipher their meaning.

Meanwhile, we see glimpses of some of the other characters in Twin Peaks. We see businessman Benjamin Horne trying to cover up his ties to Laura, and we see Laura's troubled friend James meeting with a mysterious woman who seems to know more about Laura's death than she lets on.

As the episode progresses, Cooper becomes more and more fixated on the letters and symbols, and he begins to use some highly unorthodox methods to try to understand them. At one point, he even enlists the help of a local Tibetan monk, who introduces him to the concept of "transcendental meditation" and helps him develop the "skill to catch a killer" mentioned in the episode's title.

Through all of this, the tension in Twin Peaks continues to build. There are moments of humor and quirkiness - such as when Cooper's eccentric colleague Albert Rosenfield arrives and clashes with the locals - but there are also moments of genuine emotion and sadness, such as when we see Laura's mother weeping uncontrollably over her daughter's death.

As the episode draws to a close, the mystery of Laura's murder remains unsolved, but Cooper and Truman are more determined than ever to get to the bottom of it. They continue to pursue leads and gather evidence, and we are left with the sense that they are closing in on something big.

Overall, "Zen, or the Skill to Catch a Killer" is a gripping and intense episode of Twin Peaks. It introduces new characters and storylines, expands on existing ones, and keeps the viewer on the edge of their seat with its unsettling atmosphere and suspenseful plot. It's a must-watch for fans of the show and anyone who loves a good mystery.