I’m continuing to work through my list of binge-worthy shows, and next up is Bates Motel! Yes, the show has been over for about two years, but as they say, “Better late than never! If you’re one of those people who had this show on your list and need little push to bite the bullet to start it, please keep reading!
Being a fan of the original Psycho movie, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect regarding the series. Could a series be better than the original, or would it be a colossal mess? I had heard it was good, but I made sure to stop there.
Let’s begin with a quick description of the premise of the series. The show starts with Norma (Vera Farmiga) and Norman (Freddie Highmore) Bates moving to a small town, White Pine Bay, Oregon, to begin a fresh start. In the series, Norman starts as a teenager. As they acclimate to their new surroundings and their recently purchased motel, the audience gets a peek into Norman’s psyche as he transforms into the killer that we know from the movie version. Other characters such as Norman’s friend Emma (Olivia Cooke), brother Dylan (Max Thieriot), and Sheriff Alex Romero (Nestor Carbonell) all find themselves caught in the drama between mother and son.
It can be tough to watch a series when you already know where it ends. You do your best not to have any preconceived assumptions about the characters. What Bates Motel did well was show Norman as a teenager so viewers could understand his relationship with his mother. Below are my reasons why you should add this to your summer binge-list!
- Norma Bates
Of all the characters in the series, Norma is by far the saddest. In the film version, you find yourself wondering what kind of a woman raised a son who could commit such a heinous act. She is damaged, desperate, but deep down, she isn’t such an evil person. She could have done things differently, but at the core of her character, she is just doing her best. 
Norman Bates
You can’t help but find yourself feeling protective of Norman. He is like a fragile little bird that you want so desperately to be ok. He attempts to understand the world around him and find happiness; however, his relationship with his mother seems to thwart his efforts at every turn. As he morphs through each season, you shift from wanting to protect him into being scared for anyone crossing his path.
Dylan and Emma
While Norma and Norman are tough characters to love because they surround themselves with drama and turmoil, Dylan and Emma are the most loveable. They are the two people that genuinely love Norma and Norman but are unable to break into their circle. They tug at your heartstrings, and you nervously spend every minute, praying that they don’t meet “Mother.”
The Infamous Shower Scene
If you are familiar with the original film, then you are aware of the famous shower scene where Norman kills Marion Crane as she showers. As you watch the series Marion (Rihanna) finally appears, and you can’t help but wonder how they are going to recreate that shower scene. Without giving much away, I will say I was pleasantly surprised as the writers put an excellent twist in that scene. What’s also great is to see how Norman handles the aftermath, as seen through his eyes.
Alex Romero
The Sheriff of the town starts as a stone-cold jerk with amazing eyelashes. (I couldn’t stop staring at Carbonell’s eyes!) He has a nose for discovering trouble and lives by a code of his own, which tends to get him into quite the predicament at times. He always seems to be in the right place at the right time.
There are five seasons of the series and run about an hour each; therefore, you will need to commit some time. However, each season opens the curtain a little more into Norman’s mind. I enjoyed the character development and felt completely satisfied with the series finale.
So if you still aren’t sure what to watch this summer, take a chance on Bates Motel and let us know what you think!
