‘Twin Peaks: The Return’ Proves David Lynch Still Has a Woman Problem (Commentary)

With so many interesting female characters, it’s a shame he continues to reduce them to their most basic parts

David Lynch Twin Peaks
Showtime

There’s a moment in the new season of “Twin Peaks” where it becomes clear that after more than three decades making movies and TV, David Lynch still has a prominent male gaze.

The iconic director and writer — known for surreal, small town soap opera “Twin Peaks” as well as films like “Blue Velvet” and “Mulholland Drive” — has been the subject of criticism for years about his treatment of women onscreen. While he has created some of the most memorable female characters, they often become the subjects of voyeurism and also assault.

It happens early in the new Showtime series, in Part One, where we see young lovers Tracy (Madeline Zima) and Sam (Benjamin Rosenfield) begin a sexual encounter.

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