David Lynch made many tremendous works of art over his staggering career. His 2001 film Mulholland Drive is often cited as one of the greatest films of the 21st century. His television series, 1990’s Twin Peaks and 2017’s Twin Peaks: The Return has received similarly titanic praise.

Blue Velvet ’s freaky Frank Booth huffing, well, whatever that stuff is, Lost Highway ’s spine-chilling Mystery Man, or Wild at Heart ’s Sailor kung fu-kicking in a snakeskin jacket—Lynch wasn’t trying to be controversial.

If you met him in person, David Lynch came across as a Midwestern pastor, all gee-whiz and aw-shucks. He was one of the few people who seemed wholly incapable of irony and, hearing him talk, you’d think the man must have enjoyed a pretty darn nice Montana childhood.