I'll be honest, that Ben Horne scene was really slow and long, and to no discernible effect.
That was the exception, though. The other elongated scenes worked for me. The very next scene, in fact, knocked my socks off — the one with Gordon's lady friend taking forever to leave. I thought it was ridiculously funny with a bounty of quirky delights. My favorite part is when she kisses her hand then can't decide where to touch Gordon's face. And it ends with that enigmatic exchange of looks between Gordon and Albert (a potency that was missing in Ben Horne's scene).
And I loved the rest of the episode.
Generally, I don't think Lynch's freedom is a problem, I think it's a blessing from the gods. It's a strange miracle of the universe that anyone ever paid for this to be produced.
I don't even always feel comfortable judging the new Twin Peaks, in the same way I wouldn't go to an art gallery and grade each piece. It's there for you to experience if you're into it.
Drenk, I love what you're saying, but I don't think it's fair to say it "fails as much as it succeeds." I guess it depends how you define success. If success means David Lynch realizing his vision, I think this completely succeeds. I don't expect anything else. The show has obliterated any and all other specific expectations at this point.