To Stop BOB -- A Plot to Seize Garmonbozia

This post contains an excerpt from articles previously published on this blog. It is shared after a conversation with Colin of Creamed Corn and the Universe. 

In episode 13 (Demons) Mike states that he continues to inhabit Philip Gerard from time to time for the sole purpose of stopping BOB.

We're apt to presume Mike's use of the word stop equates to him wishing to put an end to BOB's killing. However, a behind-the-scenes story from Fire Walk With Me, shared by actor Al Strobel, tied with what we see in the film, may indicate that Mike had other cause to "stop BOB."

The audio for the Twin Peaks Fest video is difficult to understand at times. My transcript is as follows,

"And the basic motive that I had in that scene was to try to put me in touch psychically - right - psychically find BOB. I knew he was out doing something (that? He?) had everything to do with all this bad stuff going on. I needed to get a hold of him because the haloperidol wasn't - you know, helping that much. I needed to get the garmonbozia. I needed to get him at all costs. So I actually set up this ritual with candles around me. The rest of you (video skips) it's somewhat parallel to the ending of the European pilot where there's a circle of candles."

This information seems to indicate Mike/Gerard was not necessarily running to stop BOB or to give Laura the ring. He wanted garmonbozia. In the film, Mike/Gerard appears to be waiting for BOB in the Red Room when he enters in Leland's body. In unison, Mike and Gerard say, "I want all my garmonbozia (pain and sorrow)." This seems to be their focus. The words strike as a demand. BOB begrudgingly complies and the Man From Another Place Consumes the pain. 

A close-up of The Man From Another Place's mouth confirms that he consumes the pain and sorriw. A production still shows Gerard/Mike, BOB and The Man From Another Place at a distance. I recall reading a post on the Dugpa form stating that a photo exists of BOB feeding The Man From Another Place. A similar photo is included on a feature on The Entire Mystery and Z to A sets. 

Frank Silvia shared some information at the Twin Peaks Festival in 1993: "The only time we [he and David Lynch] really discussed BOB was doing Fire Walk With Me, and we were doing the Red Room scene. And you know, we were talking about BOB as being the bad seed. He was the bad seed of the group, and it didn't matter to him how much trouble he caused. Whether it was in the limbo world or whether it was in the real world, he just didn't care. He was, you know, this obnoxious punk who doesn't care what kind of havoc he wreaks in any world. And he's out to have fun. He doesn't care about the consequences because he knows he's not gonna worry about it."  The video can be viewed here.

My theory is that Mike is angry with BOB for his recklessness and the theft of "corn" that is rightfully his. That is why I believe he is forced to let Mike consume Leland's garmonbozia. BOB seems angry while surrendering it at Mike's demand, but he is forced to give his due. It's beyond his control. Laura wrote, "BOB's only afraid oe one man. He told me once. A man named Mike." Though BOB seems more imposing, he does concede to Mike in giving him Leland's garmonbozia.

I seem to recall Bob Engles saying that BOB and Mike had a long standing feud because BOB had stolen Mike's garmonbozia. From a letter in Wrapped in Plastic Magazine; (Bob and Mike) "fell out with each other on December 31, 1951, and Bob stole a can of corn from Mike. The chase eventually led to Twin Peaks.

Note that though Mike claimed to wish to stop BOB, he did not prevent Maddy from being killed or aid Ronette. It also seems suspicious that Mike collapsed with Ben Horne's appearence at the Great Northern. Was he actually working with BOB? BOB attempted to direct the police to Ben Horne by planting the white fox fur in Maddy's hand and by claiming he'd overheard an argument about a "dairy." 

Though there are inconsistancies, Mike shows a demonic side when he rushes to the train car in Fire Walk With Me. From the script,

226. EXT. TRAIN CAR

ECU: GERARD

Gerard leans in to take a look and steps back laughing. he yells out for Bob to hear.

GERARD 

(continued)

THAT'S HIS OWN DAUGHTER YOU'RE KILLING.

He continues to laugh and runs away from the train car.

He happily leaves the scene. Gerard does not help Ronette.