Ben Horne - Character Background

Character Background

Ben Horne is one of the two richest and most powerful individuals of Twin Peaks; per Sheriff Truman, Horne "owns half the town." He owns and runs the Great Northern Hotel, the town's only apparent travel lodgings; the Great Northern also acts, on occasion, as a de facto town hall, and the only place in Twin Peaks suitable for a wedding reception, making it one of the hubs of the community. In addition to the Great Northern, Ben owns and runs Horne's, the town's only department store, and One Eyed Jacks, a casino/brothel just over the Canadian border. His would-be monopoly on the town's economy is challenged only by Josie Packard, the owner of the Packard Saw Mill, one of the few major businesses in town which Horne doesn't own. At the outset of the series, Horne has been involved in an affair for some time with Catherine Martell, as part of an intricate plot to kill her, destroy the mill, become the beneficiary of her life insurance, and take sole ownership of the land on which the mill sits, which he intends to turn into a luxury country club.

Ben is depicted as both extremely intelligent and mercilessly cutthroat. He acts as a contrast to the simple people of Twin Peaks—lacking their folk wisdom, he is nonetheless extremely intelligent, worldly wise, and well read, capable of quoting Shakespearean sonnets on cue. His usual attire further serves to distance him from the town—while the majority of the populace of Twin Peaks wear western wear or clothing popular in the 1950s, Horne dresses in fashionable double breasted suits and designer track suits, both staples of 1980s fashion; upon first seeing him, Agent Cooper singles him out as a "dandy."

Ben has a family, who live with him in the owner's quarters at the Great Northern. His wife, Sylvia, and son, Johnny, only appear briefly on the series; Sylvia is a put-upon trophy wife, while Johnny is a mentally retarded 27 year old with the mind of a small child, who spends his days playing cowboys and Indians. Ben also has a brother, Jerry Horne, who acts as his business partner, emissary, and best friend.

Ben is very close to his private attorney, Leland Palmer, who has worked for him for at least five years prior to the start of the series. Ben took a particular shine to Leland's daughter, Laura, who as a child encompassed all the qualities lacking in Audrey: Quiet, good natured, and sweet. For this reason, Ben showered Laura with attention, clandestinely giving her presents through Leland, who agreed to the arrangement as it both made Laura happy and made Leland look good in his daughter's eyes. As Laura aged, Ben's love for her became romantic, and he saw in the bright-futured Laura all of the possibilities his own life once held; her photo took a place of honor on his desk, while there was none of Audrey to be seen. Ben and Laura had a torrid affair shortly before Laura's death, after Laura—without Ben's knowledge—came to work at One Eyed Jacks. The relationship quickly fell apart, as Laura only wanted the thrill of sleeping with the powerful, older Ben Horne, and did not reciprocate any of his romantic feelings. Before she died, Laura was apparently considering either extorting or simply exposing Ben Horne with her knowledge of their affair.