Catherine Martell

Catherine Packard Martell is a fictional character on the 1990-1991 primetime ABC series Twin Peaks. She was portrayed by Piper Laurie.

Character history

Before the start of Twin Peaks

In the backstory which occurs prior to the start of the series, Catherine was the sister of Andrew Packard, the owner of the Packard Mill. Catherine is married to a former lumberjack, Pete Martell, but their happiness was short lived. Though they remained married, Catharine holds her more simple and naive husband in contempt. Her brother Andrew was killed in a boating accident, and though she runs the Packard mill, it is owned by Josie Packard, Andrew's young widow. Catherine is having an affair with local businessman and landowner Ben Horne, owner of Horne's Department Store, the Great Northern Hotel, and (secretly) the brothel One-Eyed Jack's, with whom she is plotting the burning down of the mill. Unknown to Catharine, Ben is also in bed with Josie, and the two of them are plotting to cut her out of the picture entirely, with the intent to eventually shut down the mill and develop the land for their own profit.

In Twin Peaks

Catherine does not suspect that Ben is also playing Josie against her. Toward the end of season 1, an insurance agent informs her that Horne and Josie have tried to take out an insurance policy on her, and she realizes she has been duped. She has a reconciliation of sorts with her husband Pete, but is lured to the mill by Hank Jennings, as she searches for a ledger. Leo Johnson burns down the mill, and Catherine's body is not found.

Later, in season 2, a mysterious Japanese investor, Mr. Tajimora, comes to Twin Peaks, and offers Ben Horne $5 million in advance to pull out of his deal with the Icelanders. Immediately after accepting this money, Horne is arrested for the murder of Laura Palmer. All of his financial plans are ruined, and Mr Tajimora reveals himself to be Catherine in disguise.

Catherine returns to the mill and her home. Meanwhile, Businessman Thomas Eckhardt, the true power behind Josie, demands that she return to Hong Kong. Josie, terrified, pleads Catherine for mercy and protection. At this same time, Josie's husband Andrew returns. Andrew had anticipated the plot on his life, and allowed the town to think he was dead. Catherine humiliates Josie and forces her to act as her personal maid. Thomas Eckhardt comes to the mill and Catherine tells him he can have Josie, then gives Josie a handgun. Andrew visits Josie one last time, and sends her off to her death. Josie meets Eckhardt in a room at the Great Northern, and shoots him dead. FBI Agent Dale Cooper and Sherriff Harry Truman arrive just as Eckhardt dies, and Josie confesses to shooting Cooper weeks before. Josie then drops dead, ensuring Catherine's revenge is complete.