Articles

Alan Squire Publishing, 2024

Excerpt from Comfort Sequels: The Psychology of Movie Sequels from the 80s and 90s.

Deena and I have beach tote bags stuffed with beer, towels, pool noodles, and sunglasses, like we are going to float on the river instead of a hot tub in West Tulsa in autumn. I watch her olive skin rounding into half moons around the bottom of her one-piece purple swimsuit, fat and muscle bubbling out into little moon slices from under the spandex. It makes me feel less self conscious as my baby fat moves into curves underneath my bikini. My boobs have only recently moved from gymnast flat to sixth-grade-dance padded bra, and I’m not sure what to do with them yet.

Her two huge shepherd mutts bark at us, herding us toward the hillbilly hot tub across the yard.

“Hurry up, bitch,” she laughs at me for having shorter legs than hers. I am always following her. It also takes me longer to climb the ladder over and into the water of the second-hand tub. Found at a junkyard, the tub miraculously works, and the water jets pop on, rippling water reflected by moonlight. A makeshift privacy fence covers the whole thing, and it’s quiet back here. Just me and Deena.

25 YL, 2022

Excerpt from “Transitional Objects In Twin Peaks: An Interview with Fan Collector Jason Mattson”

The safety I feel watching Twin Peaks I can carry with me. The owls, like the Roadhouse, give me a connection, a cord linking the security of the show to reality. In the field of psychology we understand that objects can help us find connection and safety in the world. Oftentimes we collect things or discover objects that we resonate with psychically and may decide to take them with us in order to feel secure. This could be a child who carries their favorite doll or video game with them to school, or an adult who wears a T-Shirt of their favorite TV show or band in order to feel closer to them. Fans of shows or movies may collect objects—figurines, artwork, toys, bobbleheads, games—and engage in an online world of other collectors to share stories and finds. These are all examples of what are known as “transitional objects.”

It wasn’t until I discovered the artistry of Jason Mattson that I found another kindred spirit who understood the importance of preserving history and nostalgia through objects, specifically as it relates to Twin Peaks. Jason is a humble master of his craft in creating, restoring and collecting, and was generous with his time and sharing his workmanship with me.

TV Obsessive, 2021

Excerpt from “The Impossibility of Loving Max Evans; Liz Parker’s Identity Confusion in Roswell’s Theme Song ‘Here With Me’”

Liz’s identity confusion is summed up in (“…I am what I am, I do what I want…”) reflecting her pull to be with Max and do his alien bidding under these seemingly strongly worded but falsely independent lyrics. She is not complete without him. True individuation and identity formation can’t happen unless they are apart, which feels impossible to her. And yet the truth of the situation is that they are apart. She is living in a dream—a fantasy of being with him—and putting herself at risk left and right to try to actualize him in her life. She wants to present to the world as someone who is self-sufficient and assured, and yet inside she “can’t hide” her truth. She can’t “hide” her love for Max which is all encompassing. She is intoxicated by his love. If kissing someone could send you literally flashing into the Whirlwind Galaxy, who can blame her for being so hooked?

The Blue Rose Magazine, Vol 2#17, Nov 2022

Excerpt from “The Hermit As Harold Smith”

Hermits are often wise sage elders. A hermit is someone who looks from above or beyond, and has internal spiritual knowing. In Tarot, the Hermit card generally shows such a wise character holding a lamp or lantern of truth that lights the way forward. The Hermit carries a staff that guides him through treacherous terrain, keeping the path of enlightenment clear.

The Hermit asks us to consider what happens when we are completely alone. What does the mind do? Where does it go? When we remove ourselves from the hustle and bustle of the day, what is left?

In Twin Peaks, Harold Smith is the Hermit and simultaneously embodies the shadow side of this archetype. Played by the wonderfully talented Lenny Von Dohlen, who passed July 5, 2022. Harold is a complex character, a truth seeker. His Hermit-ness connects him with inner truths and with the natural world, hence his green thumb and abundant orchid appreciation.

25YL, 2021

Excerpt from “Run Silent Run Drapes: What Nadine’s Story Teaches Us About Trauma Loops, Trauma Healing and Trauma Recovery“

When we experience a trauma we can get caught in a loop when reality is overwhelming, loud, intense, and scary (for Nadine this outside world of Twin Peaks). The nervous system collapses into a singular emotional neuropathway looping around and around the traumatic memory, taking us further and further away from the rational side of the brain that knows we are safe and not actually threatened in the moment.

So when Ed does something accidental, like dropping grease on her cotton balls, Nadine becomes emotionally disregulated because the flight/fight/freeze response has activated in her brain. The trauma loop is ignited and she feels unsafe and begins to “fight” (in this case yelling at Ed and breaking her exercise equipment with superhuman strength). Her brain is looping in the trauma memory and she is not present with the truth of the moment which is that she is actually safe in her living room and no true damage has been done. A little grease has spilled and that is all.

Film Obsessive, 2022

Excerpt from “Stuart Pankin On Mannequin 2: On the Move, 30 Years Later”

IIn a dank, sticky floored, small movie theater, with once cushioned chairs now falling apart, a wide-eyed 8-year-old girl sits with a huge fake butter popcorn tub dripping in her lap. Crimped hair held by a purple scrunchy, she sports a Jem and the Holograms bejeweled tee with yet another scrunchy holding up the side of the extra large shirt. An important reminder: you can never have too many scrunchies. She sits in the front row next to her cousins who are just as excited as she is, and her mother and aunt who are clearly annoyed at being along for the ride. It is the thick of a Florida summer and with no AC, this theater has seen better days. The cartoon coke and popcorn duo dance on the screen, previews play out, (Jurassic Park, My Girl) and then the movie starts: Mannequin 2: On The Move.

Instead of a backdrop of Edfu, Egypt with a sexy Kim Cattrall, such as in the 1987 original Mannequin, we are transported to the Germanic Kingdom of Hauptmann-Koenig. It is the age-old fairytale of a prince finding his true love in the form of a peasant girl, who is then turned into a mannequin by an Evil Sorcerer (looking strikingly similar to Bernie of Weekend at Bernie’s fame), in a spell that lasts 1000 years. Typical.

Film Obsessive, 2022

Excerpt from “Scott Ryan On His New Book Fire Walk With Me: Your Laura Disappeared”

It’s 2006. I’m standing in a long line that curves around 17th Street. We are waiting for the gilded Castro Theater doors to fly open and the staff to usher us in. There are probably a few hundred of us but I’m alone in this ticket holder line. My friends like Twin Peaks, but don’t love it the way I do. They stayed home.

The movie line is full of characters. Some are log lady likenesses, some are hipster Agent Coopers with FBI badges, some are RR Diner servers with blue and white dresses and serving trays, some are Nadines’ with red and white cheerleading garb and eye patches. One couple has perfected a life size Waldo the myna bird, their partner a head to toe bird cage with feather bits and fake dried blood. I just love how weird San Franciscans AND Twin Peaks fans are. The combo is everything.

I’m wearing a button down short sleeved cream shirt, vintage thin track sweater, and schoolgirl plaid polyester/twill mid-calf skirt. My shoes are Mary Jane flats. All thrift store finds. All part of my ongoing attempt to embody Moira Kelly’s Donna Hayward.

I’m going to freeze in this outfit. I should know better. But I look cute and being fashionable outweighs comfort and sensibility every time. At least I have the wherewithal to don a scarf and gloves. On the top of my left ring finger glove, is a pin. Enamel, bronze. A small, simple statement. The Owl Cave.

Film Obsessive, 2022

Excerpt from “Love Will Never Be The Same Again” Savannah Smiles, 40 Years Later”

I watched Savannah Smiles with my grandpa, who was basically Alvie. My grandfather grew up on a farm in Boone, Oklahoma and he was neglected and physically abused as a young child. At first he was an only child, then during the depression, all of his cousins and other kin folk in Oklahoma had to move in and live with him and his parents.

Once the apple of his mother’s eye, he became an afterthought. He had to share everything: his few toys, his bed, his room, his limited food. He was bullied, teased, and physically abused by his family and ran away from home by way of the Navy. As a teen he got married, an attempt to start a new life of his own, that was just his.

As a defense against the neglect of his childhood, he developed a hard southern persona and it was near impossible for him to let people in. He did not end up incarcerated like Alvie, but held his emotional wounds with him in the world; being mean to strangers, not having close relationships, acting out his hurt and sadness by needing to be right, spitting out his stubbornness with each piece of tobacco he chewed.

I was his Savannah.

Foundations For Community Health Workers 2nd Edition Textbook. ISBN: 978-1-119-06073-4

Chapters on Care Management, Home Visiting, Health Outreach

Comfort Sequels is Em’s debut sneaky memoir. As a licensed psychotherapist and psychology professor, Em interprets characters, story arcs, and major themes from eleven different movie sequels.

Articles