When the body of Laura Palmer, the local Homecoming Queen, is discovered washed up on a riverbank, FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper is called in to investigate the crime and the mysterious circumstances surrounding it.
James Hurley, Mike Nelson and an vengeful Bobby Briggs are released from the local jail; Agent Cooper and Sheriff Truman discover more dark secrets about the life of Laura Palmer; Doctor Hayward turns in his autopsy on the murder victim; Big Ed Hurley reveals that he was drugged at the Roadhouse and Catherine finally reveals her plans to take control of the Packard sawmill.
Donna Hayward and James Hurley confess their love for one another; Leo holds Bobby Briggs hostage; Ben Horn and his brother, Jerry, make a trip out to One-Eyed Jacks; Agent Cooper has his first of many strange and troubling dreams.