Donna and Maddy's Change in Appearance, Season One And Season Two

Donna Hayward and Madeleine Ferguson undergo visual and behavioral transformations from season one to season two.

Maddy's transformation at the behest of Donna and James is an event that seems to act as a catalyst. Once Maddy disguises herself as Laura, she continues to wear Laura's things throughout her time in Twin Peaks. It is in episodes six and seven (1.006, Realization Time and 1.007, The Last Evening) that Maddy dresses as Laura. But it isn't until she has a dark vision in the Palmer living room that her metamorphosis begins. It is also in this episode that Donna appears to have altered in both body and personality.

I believe Maddy and Donna's change in character may have not been of their own volition. They may have been influenced by BOB. Though this proposal may sound implausible, I ask you to please continue reading.

James is overwhelmed by Maddy's appearance. Excerpt from the only script available online for episode six. 

 

Laura's Sunglasses

The first time we see Donna smoke is in episode eight (2.001, May The Giant Be With You). She does so immediately after wearing Laura's sunglasses. We are led to believe this is a new habit as James claims to have never seen her smoke before. I believe smoking was a suggestion whispered to her. She later turns down cigarettes when they are offered to her after Maddy is no longer a threat.

Both Donna and Maddy exhibit strange behavior while trying on Laura's sunglasses. Their reactions are uncharacteristically languid. They act almost as if in trance. After wearing Laura's sunglasses, Maddy decides to destroy her own eyeglasses, deciding she will no longer wear them. Notice this change arrives after Maddy has had a vision in the Palmer living room after wearing Laura's clothes.

Donna, from this point forward, conveys an aura of maturity that rivals her older contemporaries. She is often curt and hostile. Other times she is overtly flirtatious and seductive.

James is bewildered by Donna when she visits him in his cell, so much so he asks Maddy if she believes Donna is acting strangely. In episode nine (1.009, Coma), when Donna passionately kisses James, James is scripted as being confused by her almost violent reaction.

Finally: James pulls away, quite breathless. He looks at Donna in the shadows, as if uncertain who is standing there. 

Did James think of Laura? With his eyes closed, could it almost have been her?

Later in the series, in episode sixteen, Donna pays a visit to the Palmer house wearing Laura's sunglasses. Leland pauses, trying to place where he's seen the glasses before Donna reveals they belonged to Laura. With their presence called to attention, Donna lights a cigarette. With the glasses comes a compulsion to smoke. Leland/BOB then makes her dance with him, as he did Laura and Maddy, before threateningly embracing her, scaring Donna, and alerting us of his intent to harm. His actions, in my opinion, seem to be associated with the presence of Laura's sunglasses. Through them, he seems able to detect Laura's energy. Cooper says in the same episode that Leland/BOB may have killed Maddy because she reminded him of Laura. The same could have happened to Donna had Sheriff Truman not arrived.

Donna, Maddy, and the Color Blue

Reflections: An Oral History Of Twin Peaks contains a quote from director James Foley,

"I was suddenly, inexplicably taken with the notion that one of the characters, I can't remember which, should be carrying a blue suitcase. When I hit the art department with the idea I was met by some worried glances and some whispering among them. Finally someone let me know that David did not want the color blue to appear in the series."

This quote instantly reminds me of the deep blue sweater Donna wears in the series. A David Lynch-directed episode coincides with Donna's first sign of unusual behavior.

Maddy is also connected to the color blue. Before wearing articles of Laura's clothing, Maddy almost always wore clothes that incorporate shades of blue. Did David Lynch wish us to subconsciously perceive her as a mystery by associating her with the color blue, a color that throughout his work is connected with the unknown? Lynch perhaps reserved the use of the color for significant reasons. Cooper wears blue pajamas as he dreams, the Giant wears a blue shirt, and Major Briggs wears a blue uniform. Annie Blackburne and Nadine Hurley are a few other characters who come to mind that wear blue on multiple occasions.

Blue also appears in places and on people of insignificance in episodes directed by Lynch, creating a slight conundrum. Despite this, there is no doubt Lynch has assigned special meaning to the color blue within his mythos.

Note that in the first season of Twin Peaks, the only colors associated with Maddy are blue, white, and black aside from one reddish-orange dress and a brown pair of boots. Her glasses also have bright red frames. 

David Lynch utilizes the combination of red and blue in Twin Peaks, Fire Walk With Me, and Blue Velvet (1986), among others.

Diane Evans, Twin Peaks: The Return. Note her red shoes, blue blouse, black skirt, and white hair. The same color combination was worn by Maddy in season one. The Tulpa of Diane has white hair while the real Diane/Linda has bright red hair. 

Maddy wears a blue dress when she is introduced. It is almost the same shade of blue as Donna's sweater. Maddy also wears sweaters containing the color blue, blue pajamas, and a robe. On her final morning in the Palmer house, Maddy dons a cobalt blue nightgown beneath a blue robe. The gown is similar to Laura's black nightgown in Fire Walk With Me, making me wonder if the blue nightgown may have been Laura's as well. 

After Maddy wears Laura's clothing in disguise, her taste ceases to favor the then-current style of the late '80s - early '90s, moving to a softer style influenced by the past. A style favored by Laura.

Laura's nightgown. 

The nightgown Maddy wears.

Maddy Wearing Laura's Clothes

Scripted dialogue deleted from the televised version of episode ten (1.003, The Man Behind Glass) reveals that Maddy wore Laura's clothes. It is hinted that she did so without full cognizance, as though compelled.

From the script,

James enters the diner and slides into a booth where Maddy Ferguson waits. She looks different; a more attractive dress, and her hair seems softer with more of a sheen. 

JAMES
You look great. Cool dress.

MADDY
It's one of Laura's. It was just hanging there in her room. Funny, I hardly remember putting it on.

This exchange takes place during the scene at the Double R Diner where Donna enters and sees Maddy and James "holding hands". Maddy is wearing the same outfit in the series as in a promotional photo of an untelevised scene (below), which may indicate the scripted dialogue was filmed. Though Maddy is not wearing a dress in the photo, a blouse and a skirt instead, the dialogue could easily have been changed or left unaltered as it was when Audrey wore a suit to her first meeting with Emory Battis, though the dialogue maintained that she wore a sweater.

Laura, Maddy and Donna Wearing the Same or Similar Clothing. 

In a photo taken by Paula K. Shimatsu-U, Laura wears the same sweater Donna wears on screen.

Donna wears this sweater twice in the first season, with Audrey at the Double R Diner, and when she visits Sarah Palmer, during which Mrs. Palmer confuses Donna for her daughter. Her reaction may have been caused by the presence of similar vesture rather than by or aided by the use of a sedative.

This link provides an image of Donna and Laura together wearing the same sweater. The photo appears to have been taken sometime during the first season judging by the length of Sheryl Lee and Lara Flynn Boyle's hair.

When Maddy dresses in disguise as Laura, she wears the same sweater Laura wore in James' memory of February 5th. The date was of significance to James because it was the day Laura told him she believed he loved her, the day the heart necklace was exchanged.

The script for episodes six and seven state that the clothes Maddy wore in disguise belonged to Laura.

She's (Maddy) wearing Laura's clothes - and a blonde wig.

The image above is the extended scene of James' memory as glimpsed on a menu of The Entire Mystery Blu-Ray.

Maddy wearing Laura's clothes.

It only makes sense that Maddy would wear Laura's clothing. She didn't intend to stay in Twin Peaks longer than a few days for Laura's funeral. She wouldn't have had reason to pack as many outfits as she is seen wearing during her prolonged stay.

The Secret Diary of Laura Palmer has Laura trying on Maddy's clothes and borrowing Donna's, indicating this is normal practice.

Don't Wear My Stuff

In Fire Walk With Me, Laura is aware her clothes retain aspects of her personality. In the film, Donna ties Laura's jacket around her waist, and is later seen in a state of undress with Tommy, Buck's friend. BOB speaks to Laura in the script, boasting that he is responsible for Donna's behavior. "See what we can do to Donna?" When Laura discovers what is happening, she immediately removes her jacket from Donna's person, blaming it for her friend's uncharacteristic behavior.

The script paints a more explicit image of the scene with Ronette and Laura on the floor having sex with Buck and one of his friends before Donna's behavior is noticed. Laura's back is turned to Donna, but over Laura's shoulder, Ronette sees Donna having sex with "a new cowboy".

From the script:

Closeup: Laura's face.

Seeing Donna.

BOB'S VOICE
SEE WHAT WE CAN DO TO DONNA? 

LAURA
(Screaming)
NO! GOD, NO...

ON THE SCENE.

Laura stumbles and runs to Donna grabbing Jacques on the way.

LAURA (continued)
(screaming to Jacques)
Get her out of here... Get her out.

He doesn't seem to be listening.

LAURA (continued)
(shouting)
JACQUES...

Laura falls full of panic to Donna.

LAURA (continued)
Donna, what are you doing?

Rips her blouse off her waist. Donna is completely gone. Laura shakes her and screams into her face.

LAURA (continued)
Don't ever wear my stuff, don't ever wear my stuff. Never.

DONNA
(mumbling)
Okay, I won't take your stuff... Why can't I wear your stuff?

LAURA
Jacques, help me get her home, NOW!

Jacques lifts Donna up and Laura follows Jacques and Donna out of partyland. Donna continues to mumble.

DONNA
I won't wear your stuff.
(then laughing)
I promise.

LAURA
(crying, holding Donna's hand)
Not you, Donna, not you.

This portion of the dialogue is strangely without subtitles in the film, almost as though we are not meant to hear it all.

Later, Donna wakes the morning after their ordeal at Partyland and questions Laura about the night's events. She can barely remember what happened.

DONNA
Was I wearing something of yours and you got mad at me?

LAURA
All my things have me in them. I don't want you to be like me.

DONNA
But I love you, Laura.

LAURA
And I love you, too. But don't wear my stuff.

Notice how David Lynch and Robert Engles are straightforward with the notion that BOB can influence others or subtly transform them through items.

BOB's dialogue at Partyland may have been recorded. The moment when he was scripted as speaking is when Laura is bathed in white light while in the booth. This white light seems to be connected to BOB as it appears at other times when he is scripted as having dialogue.

We can hear BOB say, "You see what we can do?" while Laura looks to the ceiling fan 49 minutes into The Missing Pieces, indicating the dialogue may have been recorded for the Partyland scene but was used differently. There is more on this here.

Returning to the series, something of interest occurs in episode eight. It is when Donna behaves strangely at James' cell. She asks James if the police think Leo killed Laura. Before this, James, Maddy, and Donna had not discussed the possibility of Leo Johnson being the killer. In light of what is divulged in the Fire Walk With Me script, one could almost wonder if BOB is asking this question through her. She is wearing Laura's sunglasses in the scene. The way she delivers the line reminds me of how one might ask if another person is falling for a trick. Moreover, I believe Donna's sudden turn as a seductress may be guided by the darker half of Laura; the aspect of her that favors the woods and the night. The darkness created by the influence of BOB.

Examples Of Change 

The following is a list of every outfit Maddy wore during her stay in Twin Peaks and every outfit worn by Donna leading up to James' departure. These images are shared with the hope the gradual differences in their style will be apparent.

Maddy

Episode three (1.003, Rest in Pain).

A blue dress, pearl necklace, a black coat, and a purse. 

Episode four (1.004, The One-Armed Man).

 Maddy is at the counter, back facing the camera. 

A red/brown dress, brown boots, a black coat, and a purse. 

Episode five (1.005, Cooper's Dreams).

Maddy is in the background with James and Donna.

A blue, white and black blouse paired with black and white polka dot leggings, a black coat, boots, and a purse. Light and dark blue striped pajamas.

White and black slippers. 

Episode six (1.006, Realization Time).

 A blue, white and black sweater paired with blue jeans. 

Wearing Laura's clothes. A pink sweater and turtleneck, pastel floral skirt,  a light pink scarf, and  a black and white coat.

Maddy as Laura. 

Promotional photos of Maddy wearing the same outfit as seen in episode six.

Episode seven (1.007, The Last Evening).

At the beginning of episode seven, Maddy wears Laura's coat over the outfit below, continuing where episode six left off.

A pink sweater, turtleneck, and skirt. 

Episode eight (2.001, May The Giant Be With You).

A blue robe, black socks. 

A burgundy sweater paired with tights of the same color, a green blouse, a brown and tan skirt, and hazelnut shoes.

A promotional photo of Maddy wearing the same outfit she wore in episode eight:

 A promotional photo of her robe:

The flower on her robe is not a blue rose.

Episode nine (2.002, Coma).

A brown sweater,  a brown, beige, and black tartan skirt. 

Promotional photo:

Below is a wardrobe continuity Polaroid of the full episode nine ensemble. Her outfit here in particular is very reminiscent of Laura's style in Fire Walk With Me. 

Laura in Fire Walk With Me:

Episode ten (2.003, The Man Behind Glass).

Beige blouse, brown belt, a tan and black skirt.

Polaroid:

Source

Episode eleven (2.004, Laura's Secret Diary).

A green sweater. The rest remains unseen. 

Episode twelve (2.005, The Orchid's Curse).

A white turtleneck, a tan and olive skirt, an off-white coat, a pink scarf, dark hose. 

A black short-sleeved blouse, black trousers, brown gloves, black boots and jacket. Blue scarf. Black and blue overshirt. 

Episode thirteen (2.006, Demons).

This episode begins with Maddy wearing the same outfit as in episode twelve. 

An off-white coat, a pink scarf, black skirt, and white blouse. 

A behind the scenes photo:

Episode fourteen (2.007, Lonely Souls).

The blue nightgown under a blue robe. 
Alack blouse with a gray and black checkered skirt and black belt. 

Donna

The pilot:

A blue blouse, gray, yellow, black and red sweater, gray skirt and brown boots. A tan and black checkered shirt, red skirt, red, black and orange sweater with brown boots. A blue-green and brown jacket. 

Episode one (1.001, Traces To Nowhere).

White thermals, a green and white sports jersey. A red blouse, and black, gray and white sweater paired with blue jeans. 

Episode two (1.002, Zen, or The Skill To Catch A Killer).

A gray blouse, dark skirt, black, gray and white sweater. An indigo sweater and skirt with white socks and black shoes.

The outfit above is also worn at the beginning of episode three.


Promotional photo:

Episode three (1.003, Rest in Pain).

A black blouse, jacket, skirt, a black and gray hat, and gray and blue gloves.

Episode four (1.004, The One-Armed Man).

Khaki pants, pink blouse, pink, beige, blue and green jacket. Jeans, a pink overshirt, white blouse, and a denim jacket. 

Episode five (1.005, Cooper's Dreams).

A red blouse, black sweater, black headband, blue jeans, and black jacket. 

Episode six (1.006, Realization Time).

A pink, gray, and white sweater with blue jeans. A gray scarf, purple hat, and black jacket. 

Donna wears the same outfit in episode seven.

Promotional photo:

 Episode eight (2.001, May The Giant Be With You).

Her blue sweater paired with a black skirt, belt, and shoes. 

Episode nine (2.002, Coma).

An orange sweater, dark green vest, denim jacket, a reddish-brown and black tartan skirt, and brown shoes. 

Episode ten (2.003, The Man Behind Glass).

A ran jacket, blue blouse, and blue jeans. 

Episode eleven (2.004, Laura's Secret Diary).

A yellow sweater, brown skirt, brown, copper, white and tan scarf, and a tan jacket. 

Episode twelve (2.005, The Orchid's Curse).

A lilac sweater, blue skirt, black coat, purple scarf, and burgundy heels. A black coat and purple scarf. 

Donna wears the same outfit during most of episode thirteen (2.006, Demons) except for the scene where she is in the interrogation room with Sheriff Truman.

A green sweater and black skirt. 

Episode fourteen (2.007, Lonely Souls).

the blue sweater, possibly brown skirt, and a tan jacket. 

Note the return of the blue sweater in a David Lynch directed episode.

Episode fifteen (2.008, Drive With a Dead Girl).

The same tan jacket and skirt as the previous episode with the addition of an off-white and brown sweater. 

Episode sixteen (2.009, Arbitrary Love).

A navy blue jacket,a  white blouse paired with a pink sweater. Blue jeans, a black headband, and black shoes. 

Episode seventeen (2.010, Dispute Between Brothers).

A black dress. In mourning for her relationship with James. 

A side by side comparison yields the following results;

Season one Donna; 

Season two:

Season one Maddy:

Season two:

Though the series follows several archetypes of classic film, it does so while incorporating the supernatural/paranormal. What might seem like an answer in the reality we know does not always apply to the logic of Twin Peaks. 

It is evident that a great change in Maddy and Donna's style and behavior takes place from season one to season two. Though we are never given an explanation in the series, the film and script to Fire Walk With Me certainly give us some important information with which to build theories.


All Twin Peaks screencaptures are my own, aside from Diane. Other images were found via Google or TheMauveZone.