Other detective mystery shows: we need a protagonist to be the "straight man", the stand-in for the audience in the descent into darkness and mystery.
Twin Peaks: no we don't
Modern investigative protagonist: I may look like an asshole, but I'm just telling it like it is, just like our audience.
Agent Dale Cooper: I love every one of you, people I work with.
Modern protagonist: my methods are unorthodox, but that's because, just like our audience, I just love science and am smarter than you.
Agent Dale Cooper: I'm going to start throwing rocks and whatever gets hit is a clue. This came to me in a dream.
Modern supporting cast: he may act like an asshole, but that's because he's so smart. And his unorthodox methods work, so you have to respect him.
Supporting cast in Twin Peaks: we love you, agent Dale Cooper! You're the best, Agent Dale Cooper!
