I'll make a most likely futile attempt to clarify for you that I realize this is not a typical show and I didn't say it should be done like one. But a typical show would have put us back in the old familiar storyline much faster. I don't think I said this would be the best way or the only way to do it.
However, I think you're wrong. We are
repeatedly given scenes that are slow-paced and not central to the story. Did you miss the scene with the guy sweeping the floor? Do you think the French girl's prolonged exit in the episode yesterday added anything to the plot? If I went back through the episodes there are examples in each one. I almost feel like some of it is a big "f*** you" to Showtime for forcing Lynch to play hardball with the budget negotiations. Some of it is about atmosphere, and that's fine. It adds texture. But my point is that there is a limited amount of time to tell the story and while I might be able to appreciate these atmosphere pieces later I currently find myself counting down the (wasted) minutes.