Yeah, wow. Episode 17 would be an orthodox, amazing conclusion to a show but the actual finale (this episode) is what separates this show from the rest. I love how the interpretation of the ending is up to the viewer to find personally, rather than a narrative simply given to us.
My instant reaction/theory is that at some point dupes of Laura were made(like Dougie) before she dies and she even says something to James like "I'm not your Laura anymore." , with another dupe in the lodge and another dupe (Carrie) in the 'reality' we see in this episode. The dupe creation could've been Judy wisping Laura away to make sure Cooper doesn't save her..?
Cooper then saves the wrong one in the forest and realises then goes to save the actual one in the other reality but she's still in her 'Dougie' state and doesn't realise she's Laura, she thinks she's Carrie.
I'm guessing she reawakens when she sees her mother's house in Twin Peaks and realises she's Laura and then screams, so Laura is awakened again. I've got no idea how the countless other things tie in but yeah, that's what makes this show so good.
This theory can't be 'wrong', and that's what's so good about this episode😭😭 but it will definitely change when I spend endless hours watching videos and reading more theories.
Thanks, David Lynch and Mark Frost... 👍