Contains spoilers for this episode and earlier episodes.
Leo frees Major Briggs from Earle's cabin and asks him to save Shelly. Earle returns to find his prisoner gone and leaves Leo in a trap beneath a container of spiders. At the station, Cooper connects the cave symbols to the timing of the Lodge entrance and recognises that Earle plans to abduct the pageant winner. Briggs's fragmented words link the doors to fear and love. Before the officers leave for the Roadhouse, Andy knocks over the bonsai and exposes the microphone. Cooper and Truman realise that Earle has been listening while they solved the clues he needed for his own approach to the Lodge.
The contest gathers the town while private arguments continue backstage. Lucy chooses Andy to raise her child, and Donna confronts Ben about being her father. Audrey gives an environmental speech at Ben's request, while Annie performs her own speech after Cooper has helped her prepare. Andrew opens the final puzzle box and finds a key, which Catherine keeps where everyone can watch it. At the Roadhouse, Bobby notices a second Log Lady and is knocked out by Earle in disguise. Annie wins the contest, making her his target. Earle cuts the lights and fills the stage with smoke, then kidnaps her amid the panic. Andy reaches Cooper with the final insight: the cave drawing is a map of Twin Peaks.