During a recent trip to Washington state in January 2020, I wrote an article about some of my “White Whale” film locations I was hopeful to find. One of them was a scene from Twin Peaks – Part 7 where Deputy Andy Brennan waits for The Farmer. Thankfully, a fellow Bookhouse Boy answered the call with a tip on how to find this mysterious spot.
CLUES AND CONVERSATION
Shortly after I published the White Whale article, Rob the Leader replied with a tip – Andy’s scene was just off Tokul road above the Mill. Second right if you’re heading northwest from the ‘sheriff’s station.'”
One thing I absolutely love about Twin Peaks fans is the friendly and welcoming spirit I encounter with each interaction. While visiting North Bend, I met up with him at Pioneer Coffee, a popular spot for David Lynch and the crew during filming of Season 3. It’s located just down the street from Twede’s Cafe (aka the Double R Diner).
Over damn fine cups of coffee, Rob shared his experiences with Twin Peaks. His stories from fall 2015 when the Season 3 crew was in town made me want to build a time machine. How amazing to have seen things being created in person. He also played an extra in Part 17 which I probably would have died if I had such an opportunity. Ninety minutes passed like a blur! Thank you Rob for meeting up.
After the coffee was finished, I set out to find the location.
FINDING THE ROAD
For starters, this is not the road. It’s SE 60th Street just off of 396th Avenue SE (the same road that Cooper drove in the Pilot Episode when arriving in Twin Peaks). The road may look similar but the the utility poles didn’t match. So I continued my trek.
Continuing along 396th Avenue SE, the road eventually turns into Tokul Road SE. I had driven on this road before and noticed a side road that just happened to also be SE 60th Street. I turned and quickly realized this was the spot – 38800 SE 60th Street in Snoqualmie. The coordinates are 47° 32′ 55.11″ N 121° 49′ 33.72″ W.
ESTABLISHING SHOT
The scene in Part 7 contains a few different locations beginning with a familiar spot from Twin Peaks – Fire Walk With Me.
Deer Meadow Mountain, first seen in my favorite Lynch film, is used as an establishing shot. The Combined Dialogue and Continuity List describes this establishing shot as:
FADE IN WS FOREST. ESTABLISHING SHOT NO. 1.
In reality, the mountain is known as Olallie Point and it’s found near Olallie State Park outside North Bend. You can read more about this location in this article.
SEPTEMBER 25, 2015
The scene with Andy on the road was shot on September 25, 2015. After the establishing shot, there is a wide angle shot of Andy standing near his squad car. The trees were clearly more green when I visited four years and four months later.
The Combined Dialog and Continuity List describes the scene:
EXT. URBAN ROAD – DAY. WS DEP. ANDY STANDING ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD L.
Earlier in the episode, Andy tells the Farmer around 2:30 p.m. (who is described as a Redneck in the Continuity List) to meet him at “The logging road above Sparkwood and 21. Just past Jones'” The Farmer agrees to meet him about 4:30 p.m.
Andy continues to patiently wait for the Farmer to arrive.
Showtime released this official press photo from Part 7 of Andy standing by the side of the road. It closely matches the location image I took above. It’s interesting to note that Patrick Wymore took this photo not Suzanne Tenner. Mr. Wymore has photographed many other shows and films I enjoy such as Californication, Masters of Sex, and more. See his website for examples (sadly no Twin Peaks images).
After a beat, the scene cuts to an empty road. If you were to drive straight, you’d end up back on Tokul Road.
BACK TO THE FARMER’S HOUSE
The scene then cuts back to the Farmer’s House from earlier in the episode. You can read about the location of this scene in this article. Since it’s private property, I don’t have any matching location photos to share.
The Continuity List states:
EXT. HOUSE – DAY. INTERCUT TO WS ENTRANCE OF THE HOUSE.
INTERCUT TO WS DOOR. PUSH IN.
BACK TO ANDY
POV ANDY ON WATCH AS HE LOOKS AT THE TIME.
Andy checks the time on his Rolex watch. I tried recreating the shot wearing my Hamilton watch (it’s a replica watch similar to one that Matthew McConaughey’s character Cooper wears in Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar). This is a time I needed an extra set of hands (ah, watch puns).
Andy’s Rolex appears to have the date “10” which could be September 10? That would be odd since the action from season 3 takes place toward the end of September and beginning of October.
The scene ends with Andy walking back to his car.
LS ANDY WALKS BACK TO HIS MOBILE TO BG. AND GETS IN THE MOBILE L.
Something has happened to the Farmer and he won’t be meeting Andy this time. In fact, we never hear from the Farmer again.
Most important – I can cross off one of the White Whales from my location list.
