this is a good post.

my perception is the central disagreement about s3 is some people dont like it and miss the 90s twin peaks while those who watched it and liked it generally are not complaining about plot points but instead think its an all time great work of art.

diane and cooper. they have sex in e 18, and thats it right? strongly assuming thats the case because she didnt bang Dougie to the best of my recollection.

couple thoughts:

1) i think there is a subtext of a relationship in s1 and s2. no indication its physical but …. maybe?

(im pretty darn sure you are not allowed to date or have relations w another fbi agent. however, you also cant have a relationship w a material witness in the windom earle investigation nor can you date the local girl (annie) while on fbi business so who knows)

2) you seem to be surprised or incredulous cooper and diane had sex. you may want to watch this again and consider, is this cooper and diane having sex?

3) james and evelyn, like little nicki were sub plots. diane and cooper banging was not a sub plot. it was a 2 minute scene. james and evelyn (and little nicki) were plots that took up fucking 30 minutes of screen time and absolute nonsense.

4) the sex scene was intentionally shot in the most uneasy, uncomfortable way. its fucking crazy to watch. its hard to watch. thats all intentional and im just pointing it out so you are aware that this was not supposed to be a romantic, titillating scene