Episode 6 (Twin Peaks)

"Episode 6" features series regulars Kyle MacLachlan, Sherilyn Fenn and Eric Da Re, with guest appearances by Chris Mulkey and David Patrick Kelly.

Deschanel has noted that the episode, like most in the series, was filmed from a relatively short teleplay; he feels that this has contributed to its ability to develop characterization and subtextual inferences in addition to advancing its narrative.

However, other inhabitants of the town have their own suspicions: the violent, drug-dealing truck driver Leo Johnson (Eric Da Re) is seen as a possible suspect; especially to his wife Shelly (Mädchen Amick), who has found a bloodstained shirt among his belongings.

The next morning he and Sheriff Truman (Michael Ontkean) plan to pay an undercover visit to One Eyed Jacks, a casino and brothel over the Canada–US border, to which Renault is connected.

Johnson is also listening to a police radio in his truck, and hears that Renault's myna bird is being considered a witness as its ability to mimic speech might provide a clue; he drives off immediately.

James Hurley, Donna Hayward (Lara Flynn Boyle) and Madeline Ferguson (Lee) listen to cassette tapes found in Laura's bedroom; they are all monologues addressed to psychiatrist Laurence Jacoby (Russ Tamblyn).

The brothel's madam, Blackie O'Reilly (Victoria Catlin) is hesitant to hire her but is convinced when Audrey ties a cherry stem in a knot with her tongue.

Catherine Martell (Piper Laurie) learns that a new life insurance policy has been taken out in her name, by Josie Packard (Joan Chen) and Benjamin Horne (Richard Beymer).

It also allowed Mark Frost, Lynch's partner in creating the series, to plan ahead to ensure plot details and threads would be revisited as necessary.

Fenn has admitted that she was unable to actually perform the trick, simply switching the stem for a tied one already hidden in her mouth; however, co-star Mädchen Amick has since demonstrated it during television interviews.

[17] Deschanel has expressed regret over the use of a "house style" in the series' direction and cinematography, feeling that he lit certain scenes in this episode in a way he would not usually have done; preferring to have employed a chiaroscuro use of shadow as opposed to the reddish tints used throughout.

Club, Keith Phipps rated the episode an "A−", finding that the death of Waldo the myna bird acted as a summation of the tone of the series—noting that it "should be goofy but it's completely chilling".