Portrait of David Lynch

Both words are probably overused, but Lynch was a visionary and a genius. At 13, I watched the premier episode of Twin Peaks and it affected me more deeply than any piece of art I've seen before or since. It was strange and compelling and frightening and achingly sweet, all at the same time. More than 35 years later, I can watch it and still feel thrilled; I'd argue it's the greatest piece of television ever created. It wasn't Lynch's only masterpiece -- it might not even be in the top five -- but it's sacred ground to me.