Kyle MacLachlan was David Lynch’s ‘submersible’ into dark places

Kyle MacLachlan reflects on his lifelong creative partnership with director David Lynch and the evolution of his acting career as detailed in his memoir, *Fictional Selves*. He discusses the unique, dreamlike atmosphere of *Twin Peaks* and the challenges of portraying diverse characters, including the transition into darker roles like Mr. C. MacLachlan recounts the professional uncertainty following the failure of *Dune* and how his collaboration on *Blue Velvet* helped him overcome personal inhibitions regarding emotional vulnerability. The conversation highlights the blurred lines between his real-life relationships and on-screen chemistry, particularly with Laura Dern. Additionally, the episode features a review of Min Jin Lee’s novel *American Hagwon*, which examines the complexities of the Korean diaspora, the pressures of academic achievement, and the transformative potential of education through the lens of the Koh family’s migration from Korea to the United States.