I'd add that good art is entertaining. It's often entertaining in different ways to what we usually think of when we think 'entertainment', but as long as it gives us something to find intellectual engagement, emotional catharsis, etc I consider that entertaining. Kubrick and Fire Walk With Me are definitely entertaining. Art made under the misconception that it doesn't have to be entertaining is usually pathetically self-involved and pretentious.
I disagree. I've seen great stuff that wasn't remotely entertaining to watch. Is Bug (the William Friedkin movie) entertaining? What about Cronenberg's Spider? I loved both, but wouldn't subject myself to either a second time.
Good art absolutely positively can be entertaining... and there isn't anything wrong with someone who wants to be entertained by Season 3 of Twin Peaks (or disliking it if it doesn't entertain them). But being entertaining isn't a requirement for art.
And I should stress, I found the majority of season three very entertaining. It was hilarious. It was scary in a fun way. It was surprising and compelling.
But art doesn't have to stop to think about whether or not the audience is going to get what they want out of it.
Again, that doesn't mean you have to like it, but if we're trying to get to an objective idea like, is the writing bad... it clearly isn't. Perhaps the intent is bad... but the writing is clearly serving Mark and David's intent very successfully.
To me good vs bad is a completely separate thing compared to like vs dislike or enjoy vs not enjoy when it comes to appreciating art. Twin Peaks season three is exactly what it is supposed to be. There are unquestionably some mistakes and flubs and continuity problems, but for the most part, the dialogue, acting, visuals and sound design all successfully convey what the artist wanted.
So it is a success in that regard. Is it good? I'd say so. Does that mean you should like it, or that you shouldn't be upset that you don't? Not at all. It's just presented in a format and a medium that almost exclusively provides entertainment. I don't blame anyone for judging it as entertainment as a result, even though it's clearly not.
Just like I don't blame anyone who wanted more of feel and tone of the first two seasons. Season three not being that doesn't make it bad.
If someone calls it badly written, I can't imagine they even know what bad writing looks like. Which, good for them I guess.
If any of this sounds pretentious it's not meant to be. Art is often challenging. Modern art pieces that there is now a positive consensus about, there wasn't when they first arrived, because the expectations were very different. Twin Peaks Season 3 isn't interested in giving an audience what they want. Maybe that's bad writing to people who think it should be obliged to cater to an audience.
But it really isn't obliged to do that.
I loved what David and Mark made. I feel empathy to those who didn't, or who were led to expect something else through no fault of their own. But they successfully made exactly what they set out to make... and I don't think you can argue otherwise.