SummaryThe relationship between 17-year-old Norman Bates (Freddie Highmore) and his mother Norma (Vera Farmiga) is explored in this contemporary prequel to the movie "Psycho."
SummaryThe relationship between 17-year-old Norman Bates (Freddie Highmore) and his mother Norma (Vera Farmiga) is explored in this contemporary prequel to the movie "Psycho."
the second season is really good. you get to choose your favorite characters and to feel with them. even characters that you disliked in the beginning develop and you start to see them in another light. I loved how Norman developed. I can only recommend this show!
Bates Motel never seems to disappoint, is an example **** show with great writing and a great plot. Even though the story is about Norman (Freddie Highmore), the main focus of the show seems to be his mother Norma (Vera Farmiga) who delivers great performances week after week.
Their [Vera Farmiga and Freddie Highmore as Norma and Norman Bates] scenes together vibrate with awkward energy and pent-up rage, even in seemingly simpler moments, like an afternoon driving lesson--what could possibly go wrong?!--and an audition for a local musical. The scenes without them, though, can be serial momentum killers.
There’s not a lot going on in Bates Motel--a couple of murder mysteries, the slowly evolving picture of Norman’s true nature--and there’s no guarantee that the show will be able to keep its delicate balance of humor and spookiness, without pushing Norma and Norman into caricature. For now, though, it’s inherited the “Dexter” mantle as the serial-killer show to watch.
Many of Norma's freak-outs have a black streak of over-the-top humor, and it's in those moments that Farmiga and the show shine. The dramatic material, especially that involving the young cast, still feels slight and unengaging to me.
Despite the considerable craft that has gone into creating a world designed to take on a life of its own, it’s difficult to see how the serialized narrative can run much longer without beginning to muck up its own Hitchcockian mythology.
Excellent show! Such an amazing cast (Freddie, Vera, and Max) and full of surprises. The new season explores more of Norman's psychotic side and it's interesting to see what he does next. Each episode ends with a twist or a shocking discovery which makes you want more.
I have to say this is the biggest surprise of a tv show that I have had. Far better acted, written, and was far more interesting then I ever would have given it credit.
When I originally saw teasers and trailers for the show I assumed that it was going to be A&E's copy of a teenage CW show with teen angst and drama. I had absolutely no interest after catching the first episode because it dealt with Norman at a new high school. I was entirely wrong about the show.
I had assumed it was only a teenager show mostly because the actor looks like, and it is a young Norman Bates, and they focused on his mom a lot in the beginning, but for some reason I assumed she wouldn't be a lasting character. I mean how do you make Norma Bates, AKA "MOTHER!" a regular character. Not only is she a regular (and she is there on screen until the last episode), she is on the same level as Norman and they are both great characters, acted by very good actors.
There is of course a lot of drama, violence, death and insanity, but that is expected from a reboot prequel of the original movie "Psycho". It hit all the notes for me, including the surrounding characters, unexpected reveals and even though several key facts about Norman are changed it is definitely Norma Bates.
The only thing I hesitate on, and this isn't a poor reflection it is still great, I would have handled the last 3 or 4 episodes differently. SPOILER ALERT: I would have not had the final 3 or four episodes end the way they did, wrapping up the storyline 100%, instead I would have changed a couple of things that would allow it to end, right about where the movie started. That however isn't a bad thing, just a style thing.
Pros: Excellent acting, writing, and kept my interest over the five seasons, even if I cringed sometimes.
Cons: I stylistically would have wrapped it up at a different point, but that is purely a dramatic choice.
I am really glad I did start watching it, and I encourage others to give it a try.
I too think this show should have been set in the 50's. There was time in a series to explore Norman and Norma and it was not done from the get go. It is not as believe able as it could be. Set in the present just doesn't feel right. Some parts are boring and drawn out. They are waiting a long time for a 3rd season and unless something changes it will be the last. Remember most of the babyboomers saw the original Psycho and this is not on the edge of your seat drama. The shower scene is one I will never forget!
This season is just repeating the same ideas only this time it is getting bigger in characters, a story that I am not that interested in to be the main plot "Who killed Bradley's dad?". I love the characters but it feels rushed and just not ready. My rating isn't official but it will change through the series.