On February 20th, the fifth and final season of "Bates Motel" makes its debut on the A&E Network. After being too busy to watch the first four seasons of the series, I have finally found the time to binge watch up to season four and in doing so, I find myself to be truly captivated by this show. This prequel series to Alfred Hitchcock's movie, "Psycho," focuses on Norman Bates's life before he became the iconic psychotic movie character everyone knows him for. If Hitchcock were alive today, I am certain that he would absolutely love the way the series turned out and the new routes the show's creators are taking.
The series stars Freddie Highmore as Norman Bates and Vera Farmiga as his doting (sometimes controlling) mother, Norma. The show focuses on the two characters as they move to a new town and try to start up their hotel business. The viewers also witness Norman as a somewhat ‘Norm’-al character (sorry bad joke) in the first season while he slowly descends into madness in the following ones. Further along the way, Norman and Norma begin associating themselves with the townspeople which ensue in murders, cover-ups, and blackmail. To top it all off, the writers of the show took creative liberty in adding a new character: Norman’s half-brother, Dylan, who provides a new and interesting dynamic to the Bates family as both Norman and Dylan compete for the affections of ‘Mother’. The new plotlines definitely offer more of a rich background for Norman as viewers can now see what drove Norman to finally believe he was his own mother.
If the storyline and characters itself don't provide enough of a reason to watch the show, the acting definitely should. Freddie Highmore’s performance is spectacular as Norman, sometimes even leading me to believe that I am watching Anthony Perkins (1960’s Norman) reprising his role as the character. The subtle ticks of Norman's madness are brought out superbly by Highmore’s acting as it gives viewers a foreboding look at what is to come. Additionally, Vera Farmiga’s portrayal of Norma Bates is outstanding, as well. I found myself absolutely despising her at times while feeling pity for her in other instances. Farmiga is able to shift Norma’s cold-hearted persona into a more sympathetic and vulnerable one just by acting with her eyes, and that is definitely a unique skill to have for an actor.
All in all, “Bates Motel,” is no doubt a series that all horror fanatics should check out. Not only is it a nostalgic factor for “Psycho” fans, but it also offers a new and refreshing take on Norman’s story. In season five, events finally come full circle, as “Psycho” will be playing out in the show’s final season with Rihanna playing the part of Marion Crane. Nonetheless, the writers for “Bates Motel” revealed that they have made changes that will deviate the series away from Hitchcock’s “Psycho”. I, for one, know that I am absolutely looking forward to what the fifth season has in store. If you want to catch up on the series before the release of the final season on February 20th, seasons one through four are on Netflix. Enjoy!
