Examples of Underage Drinking in The Original Series

Many fans state Harold Smith's act of giving Donna Hayward a glass of wine in episode 11 (Laura's Secret Diary) is intentionally immoral. It is often sited as a reason to dislike and distrust his character. However, I do not believe the exchange of wine was an indication of a depraved nature. My belief is that it was at the time meant to signify his sophistication when compared to James Hurley and Mike Nelson. The script for episode 11 contains the following exchange, 

Smith leaps up, energized, he steps toward a door, opens it to reveal a wine rack inside. 

SMITH

Any requests? 

DONNA

(quietly admiring)

Don't ask me. All the boys I know drink beer.

There are other incidents where underage characters have alcohol. Some examples take place in the privacy of their homes while others are in public areas. It seems it is only in a deleted scene from the pilot where the distribution of alcohol to a minor is explicitly painted as unscrupulous. Mark Frost later wrote that the bartenders at the Roadhouse were corrupt, but only one instance included here takes place at the Roadhouse.

I do not believe every instance noted in this post was/is meant to be scandalous. In this interview, Harley Peyton states that he sometimes forgot they were writing for teenage characters. I believe it was Mark Frost who said had season three aired in 1991, Harley Peyton had idea to resume the story ten years later, partially to resolve the issue with so many of the characters being in their teens.

We never hear that James is leaving school when he decides to pursue a desire to travel. Bobby begins working for Ben Horne late in the second season, as though no longer a student. He and Shelly act like a married couple once Leo requires care, and, at one point, have a falling out after Bobby decides to leave Leo entirely in Shelly's care for the day. The scene is very reminiscent of a couple taking care of a child. Shelly should be used to being alone since Bobby is supposedly still going to school and home to his parent's house every night. However, she is angered by him and slaps him after he makes a remark. Most of Donna and Audrey's activities seem to take place during normal school hours as well. When she's helping her father, late in season two, Audrey has a lot of responsibilities, and even has to stay overnight in Seattle without warning. I believe many examples of underage drinking exist for the same reason: That the young characters were sometimes written as adults. Please note, this is not a criticism. It is understandable given the age of the cast.

The Pilot

When Bobby and Shelly drive to her house, Shelly takes out a flask, drinks from it and offers it to Bobby. 

The script for the Pilot contains a deleted scene of Bobby and Mike purchasing their beer.

INT. CONVENIENCE STORE - NIGHT

Mike Nelson and Bobby Briggs are loitering by the magazine rack, slightly beered-up. They're waiting for a CUSTOMER at the register to exit. He finally does. The CASHIER says to Mike and Bobby ...

CASHIER
                 Okay, bring it here. Make it fast.

Mike quickly lugs a case of beer to the counter. Bobby throws down some bills.

The Cashier rings up the sale.

  BOBBY
                       (a strange smile)
               Fuel for the party animal.

CASHIER
               You guys better stay off the streets with that;
               there's a curfew tonight.

Bobby picks up the case and they quickly exit.

Bobby later accompanies Mike to the Hayward house as his friend searches for Donna. Both Mike and Bobby throw empty beer cans to the street before exiting the car. As Mike speaks to Doc Hayward, Bobby balances on the hood of their car, drinking from a beer can, noticeably intoxicated. 

INT. BOBBY'S CONVERTIBLE - NIGHT

    

Bobby and Mike cruise down the street. They both finish their beers and toss the cans into the road. They pull up and park in front of Donna's house. Mike hops over the door and starts towards the door.

And later,

                                                 MIKE

Hi, Dr. Hayward, l'd like to talk to Donna?

    

HAYWARD

(smells the beer)

                      She's upstairs getting ready for bed, Mike. Hope
                      you're not drinking and driving.

    

MIKE

We're all pretty broken up about what                                                       happened today. Besides, Bobby's driving.

Episode Two

Twin Peaks fan Steven Miller noticed that Audrey Horne appears to have a glass of wine as she joins her family for dinner. You can see the wine carafe by Ben. Sylvia drinks a martini, while Johnny presumably drinks water. 

A clearer image can be seen in a production still as shared by Mr. Miller. (Below.)

Photo Source

Episode 13

In this episode, both Shelly and Bobby partake in alcohol during their party. Shelly is only 18 or 19. More on her age here. 

Note the empty bottle in the background.

Episode 14

When Bobby is at the Roadhouse, he drinks something from a shot glass from the bar. 

Episode 18

When James visits a bar he's never before entered, he orders a beer, and the bartender delivers his order.

In the same episode, Major Briggs asks Bobby to make him a cocktail after he suddenly appears in the living room. Though Bobby does not consume any alcohol, this is included as it is an adult asking a minor to handle alcohol. 

BRIGGS 

(CONTINUED) 

                              Bobby, I want you to put out that 

                              cigarette. Then I would like you to 

                              fix me a cocktail. A strong one, if you 

                              don't mind.

Briggs asking his son to make a strong drink implies that he is aware of and perhaps responsible for Bobby's ability to mix drinks. This is not a criticism of Garland. There are many examples of adults asking their teenaged children to make drinks in classic films. 

Episode 19

Evelyn and James appear to have beer bottles in their hands as they talk. 

The script has Evelyn enter the garage with a six-pack of beer rather than two bottles. 

James works below the Dusenberg on a sled. EVELYN MARSH moves into the room. James sneaks a look as she walks towards the car; she wears an opened blouse and cut off jeans. She carries a six pack of beer and limes. James slides the sled out.

Episode 21

James carries a bottle of champagne with him as he surprises Evelyn with her newly fixed car. He and Evelyn later toast each other. 

In the same episode, as Bobby and Audrey discuss Ben's current state, Audrey demonstrates how they'll be left with nothing, symbolically allowing an ice cube to melt in her hand. She and Bobby have two glasses between them. It is unknown if they contain alcohol. 

From the script, 

AUDREY and BOBBY sit at a small round table. The power is out. Candlelight illuminates the scene. They have drinks between them. Plus a bucket of ice. Audrey drops a few cubes into Bobby's glass and a few into hers.

Episode 22

The script and televised episode have Evelyn order a drink for Donna. 

EVELYN

(to the barkeeper)
Get the lady here a drink with an umbrella in it.     
(looks at Donna, pats the stool next to her)
It's alright, dear, sit down. 

As Malcolm forces Evelyn to leave, we can see that the bartender left a drink on the counter for Donna, next to Evelyn's martini. It is unclear if the drink is alcoholic. Given its color, it may be a Shirley Temple, though the same bartender fulfilled James' order for beer.

Episode 23

Donna has a bottle of wine in her picnic basket as she meets with James before he leaves Twin Peaks. 

From the script,

17. EXT. MOUNTAIN - LATE AFTERNOON Nature at it's best.

DONNA sits on a quilt next to a basket of wine, cheese, and crackers. We hear a motorcycle - it's JAMES. He dismounts, sits beside her. Both a little awkward.

In the same episode, when Donna approaches Shelly at the Roadhouse, Shelly has a half empty mug of beer on the counter a distance in front of her. The script states she was drinking.

21. INT. ROADHOUSE - NIGHT

Shelly sits at the bar, sipping a BEER. Alone, not sure what she's waiting for. Donna walks out of the LADIES ROOM and sees Shelly. Donna goes over.

Episode 26

The script and televised episode have Dick Tremayne search for Audrey Horne, his appointed assistant for the wine tasting. 

                                           TREMAYNE
                     Mr. Horne as you are no doubt aware
                    there are but scant hours until our wine
                    tasting benefit begins and I cannot find
                    your daughter anywhere. 

                                               BEN
                     Audrey is spending the day in Seattle.
                    However, I'm sure our concierge will be 

                    happy to assist. 

                                        TREMAYNE
                    The concierge. Yes, capital. Thank you
                    Mr. Horne.

Later in the script, as Ben Horne sees Bobby at the Miss Twin Peaks sign-up, he asks him to attend the wine tasting, a line not present in the televised episode. (He instead asks him to pick up his dry cleaning.)

                                             BOBBY
                                   (to the passing Ben)
                                        Hey, Chief.

                                              BEN
                               Bobby. Wine tasting party, 

                              eight o'clock. 
 

                                            BOBBY
                                     With bells on.

Later in the episode, Dick enlists the help of Lucy Moran and Lana Budding Milford at the wine tasting. In episode 17, Pete, in announcing the news of Dougie Milford's impending marriage says, "She's still in her teens, he's a hundred and one." The script has Pete say, "She's twenty-two. He's seventy-eight." Dougie's age is an obvious exaggeration. Lana's may be as well. Though, it may be because actress Robyn Lively was only 18 when she portrayed Lana. The script, in introducing Lana, described her as a blonde. It is possible they once had an older actress in mind. 

In The Secret History of Twin Peaks, Frost writes of Lana, "She claimed to be 19, although a later, more diligent vetting of her available records put her actual number six integers north of there."  Frost has claimed some content may be incorrect due to an unreliable narrator. Regardless, Dick was under the impression Lana was underage, yet she was enlisted to help in a wine tasting. Audrey, Dick's first choice, was also eighteen at the time. Some might blame Dick's sometimes callous nature. However, every man in the Sheriff's Department was under her spell, despite her age. From Doc Hayward, Dale Cooper to Andy Brennan. 

If I find other instances in the future, I will add them to this post.