Showtime

(Spoilers ahead for the finale of Showtime’s “Twin Peaks: The Return”)

So here we are. After 18 mind-boggling episodes, David Lynch’s epic television experiment is finally over, leaving fans probably with more questions than they had at the start or at any other point during the season.

Hell, the thing basically ended on another cliffhanger. Agent Cooper (Kyle MachLachlan) seemingly entered an alternate universe in which Laura Palmer (Sheryl Lee) wasn’t murdered, but it didn’t quite go as well as he’d hoped. In “Part 18” Cooper found Laura in Odessa, Texas — but she didn’t know who Laura Palmer was and had never heard of Twin Peaks, Washington. Even so, Cooper took her to Laura’s old home in Twin Peaks, only to discover that Sarah Palmer, Laura’s mother, either hadn’t lived there in years or never had.

Also Read: 'Twin Peaks: The Return' Review: David Lynch Shows That it Was Never About Answers

The season ended with this Laura doppelganger shaking and letting out a scream that turned the whole town dark and triggering the end credits.

It’s not exactly a conclusive conclusion, especially since the show had just introduced the concept of a previously unrevealed Big Bad, “Judy,” that Cooper and Gordon Cole (David Lynch) and Albert Rosenfield (Miguel Ferrer) had been after for decades.

But that’s probably that for “Twin Peaks.” At TCA in early August, Deadline asked Showtime boss David Nevins about the possibility that the show will go on after Part 18.

Also Read: Has 'Twin Peaks: The Return' Been Worth It?

“It was always intended to be one season… A lot of people are speculating but there’s been zero contemplation, zero discussions other than fans asking me about it.”

Nevins couched that answer by saying that “the door’s always open to David Lynch,” but who knows what exactly that means.

So love or hate how this thing ended, until we hear otherwise fans should anticipate “Part 18” being the end of “Twin Peaks.” But never say never.

23 of the Best Cult TV Shows of All Time: 'Mystery Science Theater' to 'Twin Peaks' (Photos)

Even if a show doesn't drive huge ratings, it can live on long after its initial run thanks to a devoted fan following. Here we look back on some shows that have remained popular even decades after they first aired.
"Mystery Science Theater 3000"
Aired: 1988-1999

This quirky comedy series followed a man and his two robot sidekicks as they riffed on an endless supply of terrible B-movies. Series creator Joel Hodgson recently held a successful Kickstarter campaign to create a new 14-episode season, now airing on Netflix.

Also Read: ‘Mystery Science Theater 3000’ Reboot Smashes Crowdfunding Record
Syfy
"Veronica Mars"
Aired: 2004-2007

Kristen Bell played a street-smart young crime solver who assisted her father at his private detective agency. The series was revived for a one-off movie in 2014 after a Kickstarter campaign.
The CW
"Pushing Daisies"
Aired: 2007-2009

Bryan Fuller created this colorful comedy series starring Lee Pace as a pie maker with the ability to bring people back from the dead.
ABC
"Trailer Park Boys"
Aired: 2001-2007, 2014-present

Three friends who loved to curse, drink, and smoke dope tried to get by as petty criminals in a Nova Scotia trailer park. Netflix revived the show in 2014 and has aired three new seasons to date, with more to come.

Also Read: ‘Trailer Park Boys’ ‘Bubbles’ Actor Michael Smith Off the Hook in Domestic Battery Case
Netflix
"Parks & Recreation"
Aired: 2009-2015

Amy Poehler led this smart mockumentary show about the bizarre inhabitants of the local government of Pawnee, Indiana.

Also Read: Amy Poehler, Hillary Clinton Discuss What Kind of President Leslie Knope Would Be
NBC
"30 Rock"
Aired: 2006-2013

Tina Fey and company won 16 Emmys for this comedy about the staff and stars of an "SNL"-style variety show on NBC.

Also Read: ‘Kimmy Schmidt’ EP Defends Native American Jokes: ‘Intention Is Not to Offend’
NBC
"Twin Peaks"
Aired: 1990-1991

David Lynch's unorthodox murder mystery series only lasted for two seasons, but fans have been rabid about a new season ever since. Showtime answered their prayers and debuted a revival in May.

Also Read: ‘Twin Peaks’ Gets Closest Thing to Premiere Date Yet at Showtime
CBS
"Star Trek: The Original Series"
Aired: 1966-1969

Perhaps the cult show to end all cult shows, this iconic sci-fi series only aired for three seasons but spawned five TV spinoffs and 13 feature films to date.

Also Read: Does ‘Star Trek’ First Teaser Contain Easter Eggs?
CBS
"Doctor Who"
Aired: 1963-1989, 2006-present

Numerous actors have played the titular Doctor in this long-running British series, which has been exported worldwide to incredible success.

Also Read: ‘Doctor Who’ Star Peter Capaldi Drops Spoiler About Clara’s Return
BBC
"Arrested Development"
Aired: 2003-2006

Ron Howard executive produced and narrated this critically beloved but low-rated comedy series. Netflix brought it back for a fourth season, with plans for a fifth and possibly a film.

Also Read: ‘Arrested Development’ Almost Went to Showtime, Network Chief David Nevins Reveals
Netflix
"Community"
Aired: 2009-2015

Joel McHale, Chevy Chase, and Ken Jeong were among the stars of this Dan Harmon series about students at a fictional community college who did everything but learn.
NBC
"Freaks and Geeks"
Aired: 1999-2000

Judd Apatow assembled much of the crew that would go on to star in many of his future films -- including Seth Rogen, James Franco and Jason Segel -- in this high school comedy about two disparate groups of friends.
NBC
"Buffy the Vampire Slayer"
On the Air: 1997-2003

The world got its first real taste of Joss Whedon in this supernatural drama about a teenage vampire hunter (Sarah Michelle Gellar) who also dealt with high school life and young romance.

Also Read: Joss Whedon Reveals Clues About His New, Non-Marvel Script (Exclusive)
The CW
"Futurama"
On the Air: 1999-2003, 2009-2013

"Simpsons" creator Matt Groening led this futuristic sci-fi comedy. It folded after just four seasons, but was revived on Comedy Central for three more almost 10 years later.
Fox
"Battlestar Galactica"
On the Air: 2004-2009

Edward James Olmos played the commander of an old but tough starship filled with the last remaining human beings searching for a new home. They are pursued across the galaxy by the evil robotic Cylons.
Syfy
"Firefly"
Aired: 2002-2003

Joss Whedon pops up again as the creator of this sci-fi series about a ragtag group of outlaws aboard a rundown ship on the edge of the galaxy. The cast reunited for the 2005 movie "Serenity."
Fox
"Mr. Show"
Aired: 1995-1998

Bob Odenkirk and David Cross starred in this HBO sketch series. The duo and many of their former co-stars recently reunited for the Netflix show "W/ Bob & David."

Also Read: David Cross ‘Can Pretty Much Guarantee’ More ‘W/Bob and David’
HBO
"Kids in the Hall"
Aired: 1988-1994

This Canadian sketch series was known for its strange characters and cross-dressing main cast. The troupe starred in their own film, "Brain Candy," in 1996.
CBC
"Monty Python's Flying Circus"
Aired: 1969-1974

This British sketch series found big success on PBS in the United States, and the cast went on to star in four films together.
BBC
"Xena: Warrior Princess"
Aired: 1995-2001

Lucy Lawless made being a badass look easy as a female warrior looking to right the wrongs of her past. The series was a spinoff of "Hercules" starring Kevin Sorbo.

Also Read: ‘Xena’ Reboot With ‘Lost’ Writer in the Works at NBC
NBC
"Stargate SG-1"
Aired: 1997-2007

Based on the 1994 movie "Stargate," this series ended up running for over 200 episodes and inspired three TV spinoffs.
Syfy
"H.R. Pufnstuf"
Aired: 1969

Though it only lasted one season, this children's show became infamous for what many believed to be drug references hidden throughout each episode.
NBC
"Quantum Leap"
Aired: 1989-1993

Scott Bakula starred in this series about a scientist who finds himself randomly leaping through time, striving to put right what once went wrong.
NBC

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TheWrap looks back on some short-lived shows that have built huge followings

Even if a show doesn't drive huge ratings, it can live on long after its initial run thanks to a devoted fan following. Here we look back on some shows that have remained popular even decades after they first aired.

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‘Twin Peaks’ Finale: Yes, That Probably Was the End of the ‘Twin Peaks’ Story

23 of the Best Cult TV Shows of All Time: 'Mystery Science Theater' to 'Twin Peaks' (Photos)

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23 of the Best Cult TV Shows of All Time: 'Mystery Science Theater' to 'Twin Peaks' (Photos)

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