Mike (Twin Peaks)

Mike is a fictional character in the TV series "Twin Peaks", portrayed by Al Strobel.

Character overview

Mike is an inhabiting spirit similar to the series' primary villain, Bob, who was his partner in serial murder. After committing several rape/murders with Bob, Mike had a religious epiphany and repented, cutting off his own arm to rid himself of a "Fire Walk With Me" tattoo, which symbolised being touched by "the devilish one". However, Bob would not repent. Mike has spent years trying to find and stop Bob.

In contrast to Bob, Mike only ever appears in the visual form of his host, travelling shoe salesman Phillip Gerard.

Television series

After FBI Special Agent Dale Cooper comes to Twin Peaks to investigate the murder of Laura Palmer, Mike appears to Cooper in a dream, explaining his and Bob's history, but in a way that is not immediately clear. He shows Cooper a vision of Bob as he appeared in life. Later, Cooper, Deputy Hawk, and Sherriff Truman locate Mike, but he is in his Philip Gerard personality, and unable to give them any information. Later, in the show's second season, Mike is key to solving Laura Palmer's murder.

Prequel film

In the prequel film "", Mike harasses Leland Palmer - Bob's host - in a road rage incident, where he accuses Leland of "stealing the corn". It is known that the emotions of terror and pleasure Bob collects are called "Garmonbozia", and are consumed by Bob, Mike, and possibly other spirits as food in the form of corn. On the night of Laura Palmer's murder, Mike confronts Bob in the Black Lodge. This confrontation is mediated by the Man from another place. Mike demands that Bob return his stolen Garmonbozia. Bob responds by pulling it out of Leland, in the form of a murder victim's blood on his clothes and casting it to the floor.