This week I started my binge
on Bates Motel and I have my pros and
cons about the show so far. I didn’t know what to expect going into this series
but I thought it would just be a prequel to Alfred Hitchcock’s film, Psycho. Oooohh that movie is a classic but
this series is set in present day. It’s great bringing the modern day touch to
stories that are 50+ years old. However, it’s hard to watch this show while
trying to connect it with the original story. I don’t think it can be done and
maybe the writers just didn’t want us to do that.
Episodes 1-3
In the first three episodes, we see a lot of the story
begin to unfold, just as it should, but the Bates have bought this hotel and
haven’t done anything to it except buy new sheets and carpet… and it’s still
not open for business. Even though I don’t like the disconnection between the
series and the original story, I’m enjoying the intensity of this story so far.
We’ve already witnessed a murder, and is Norman the psychopath or is it Norma?
If we base our decision on the original story, it’s Norman but Norma is not
normal by any means. Will they continue to work together? Will Norma continue
to fight for her “business” or will she continue to stir up trouble in town?
FUN
FACT:
Recognize the Asian character, Ethan Chang?
So did I! He also plays Xander Feng in
House of Cards!
Episodes 4-6
It’s any day now that Norma and her family will have
to pay for the murder of Keith Summers. Even though deputy Shelby has saved her
for now, I have to believe that Sheriff Romero won’t go down without a fight…
Is it just me or is Norman a player? I feel so bad for
Emma. She’s sweet but very naïve to think that he will come around to her.
There’s no doubt that their relationship will unfold in the end. Right?
Shelby is finally out of the picture but where is the
Asian girl?
Norman has no idea what he does!!! Does this make
Norma normal? She puts up with everything just like she said and she is
literally protecting him. Is it inevitable to say that Norma is going to die in
the end? She has to some time if the writers plan on following the original
story.
This episode is pivotal in the series. The Bates are
free from their lies of Summers’ murder! Or are they? They got off so easy by
Romero that it just seems too good to be true. The hotel is finally up but it
only has one customer, Mr. Abernathy. He’s such a mystery though. It’s also a
mystery to me where I’ve seen this guy (Jere Burns). IMDB didn’t ring any bells
for me so I guess that will forever remain a mystery. Anyway, Mr. Abernathy is so
sketchy that I can’t wait to see where he takes us. I’m also admiring how much
Norma approves of Emma over Bradley (who names a female Bradley anyway?). At
this point I’m feeling kind of sorry for Norma. Is she a little over
protective? Maybe. She has every right to be. In this episode we begin to see
more of Norman’s mental disorder and I can just feel it in my bones that he’s
going to take it out on someone soon.
Episode 8-10
Episode eight was a little slow. Norma let Norman go
to therapy but that was a bust. Norma followed Mr. Abernathy around and that
was a complete bust, but I don’t think he’s going anywhere anytime soon just
because she kicked him out of the hotel. Norman and Bradley are over but Emma
stays persistent. I wish Norman could see how amazing she is but maybe it’s for
the best. If she were a real person, I would keep her away from him. She
deserves the best.
I write while watching so right now I’m freaking
out!!! Who put Shelby’s dead body in Norma’s bed??? We never really find out. For all I know it was
Abernathy or I think it could even be Norman. He’s messed up like that. We
discover more about Norma’s past and it’s pretty horrific. I’m sure the new
season will have more in store about her past but for now I’m led to believe
that she is in fact as normal as she can be. She’s been through some pretty
horrific experiences and Norman seems to be the only one mentally distraught. Also,
Romero has taken me by complete surprise. I had a feeling that he would be
behind all of the illegal businesses but I just couldn’t pin him down on it. All
I could see was him trying to bring down Norma on anything he could but he
helped her out with that Abernathy freak and he was revealed. I don’t want to ruin the last episode but it’s a huge
stepping-stone to the story and it is definitely worth waiting till the last
second of the season to see, so take a load off and binge on this beautifully
written tale of the Bates family.
