Laura Dern Is “Diane”
Theory: Everybody that ever watched an episode of Twin Peaks will be familiar with “Diane.” Each instalment would feature scenes in which Agent Cooper would narrate his inner-most thoughts into a dictaphone, and address those thoughts to “Diane.” These pieces of dialogue at first functioned as a way to reveal the character of Agent Cooper, so we could get to know him more quickly. As the show progressed, however, they became important in terms of the demonstration of his deductive technique. By the time the show had really established itself, these snippets were also used for comedic effect (“Diane, I’m holding in my hand a small box of chocolate bunnies…”).
Agent Cooper’s musings to Diane became so iconic that they formed part of the multimedia spread of the show, with books and audiofiles produced and sold as merchandising – as well as being a way of extending the mythology. It was assumed that Diane was Agent Cooper’s secretary or assistant back at his office – particularly since he would, on occasion, ask her to perform administrative tasks. It was never explained, however, and some fans began to theorize that Diane was, in fact, a figment of Cooper’s imagination – or simply a way to get his thoughts out of his head.
Is it likely? I would say, sure – why not? But I’d have to wonder what the circumstances would need to be for the FBI agent’s secretary to appear 25 years after the events that transpired at the end of season 2. Finally revealing the identity of Diane after all these years would certainly be a nice ‘nod’ to fans of long-standing, though, and Laura Dern is certainly a part of the cast.