User Reviews

Ladies and gentlemen, it has finally happened! In the vein of Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho, Freddie Highmore aka Norman Bates made his first onscreen kill. If the show really wanted to be Psycho, it would have done away with the last shot of the dead body of poor Miss Watson. The audience knows she is dead, but the show maybe did not realize its audience knew. I'm glad this episode ended with a bang. The last few episodes were solid in their own right, but they were slow episodes meant to build towards this finale. From start to finish, this episode had me from the edge of my seat. Norma finally broke down and I guess you can say that Norman did as well.

In this episode, "Midnight," Norma does not believe she will be able to meet Abernathy with the $150,000 she promised him. She fills in Sheriff Romero with the details and he tells her he will take care of everything. Romero visits Sommers's sister to find Jake Abernathy's real name. Norma finally visits a psychiatrist, but she leaves after falling ill to his questions. Norma also doesn't trust Romero will take care of things, so she enlists Dylan to teach her how to use a gun. Dylan initially refuses. Norman is jealous with Bradley starts to hang with Dylan, although Dylan insists nothing is going on between them. Norman also overhears Miss Watson in a spat with somebody close to her. Finally, Norman takes Emma to the school dance, but it does not go well with Norman fixated on Bradley.

As you can see, this makes for an exciting finale. Norma finally broke down resulting in her trip to the psychiatrist. But she also has a moment here which makes her deserving of an Emmy. The moment where she confesses her sexual abuse at the hands of her older brother is an extremely powerful moment. Of course, all of this disturbs Norman. Norma is a very complex character, but this confession allows us to see where she is coming from and what inner demons she has. This is another reason why she protects and cleans up after Norman. Although, she will have another problem on her hands when the next season rolls around.

For a prequel series to one of the most beloved movies of all time, the first season of the show really held its own. The creepy relationship between mother and son drove the show forward despite some relatively weaker moments (Bradley relationship with Norman, sex ring subplot.) Olivia Cooke as Emma and Max Theriot as Dylan were welcome, perfectly-casted actors to play these characters. This series delivered campy, comedic fun and a complex character study. I expect better things for next season!

My Grade: A

Jake Abernathy wants Norma to meet him at midnight with 150,000 dollars. Norma goes to Sheriff Romeo for protection. Romero gives Norma her word that he'll take care of it, but Norma isn't reassured by a long shot. Norma asks Dylan to get her a gun and show her how to use it. Dylan outright refuses, citing she would be too dangerous with a gun. Romero visits Jake Summers sister and learns Jake Abernathy's real name. Norman agrees to take Emma to the dance out of pity, while Norma visits Dr. Kurata, without Norma. Things go fine at first, but she gets ill when the questions become too personal. Dylan changes his mind and decides to teach Norma how to handle a gun, Bradley pays Dylan a visit to gather belongings at the Bates House. Norman overhears everything and becomes silently enraged with jealousy. Dylan insists there is nothing between Bradley and him, but Norman is still miffed and creeps Dylan out. Norman overhears Miss Watson having a big spat with her ex and consoles her while she breaks down in tears, making Norman promise not to tell anyone. Norma reveals a dark secret to Norman about her childhood, disturbing Norman in the process. Things go worse at the dance when Emma is incensed by Norman staring at Bradley. Bradley's boyfriend punches Norman as well, demanding he stay away from Bradley. Norman is forced to walk home in the rain until Miss Watson drives by

I was really hoping for a bang to end this season, that's exactly what I got. I honestly can't say I disliked any episodes of this season. Every episode was very entertaining, going 10 for 10 in my books. I had many questions coming from the previous episode and got most of them answered, in the way I hoped. I was beginning to wonder if the sheriff was as bad as the rest of the crazies in this series. I was dead certain I was going to be correct, till it threw me for a loophole and shocked the hell out of me with the ending. I love it when I'm proved wrong with unpredictability, now I have no clue what Sheriff Romero is all about and I love it. This one deals with some very touchy subjects in a huge way. Vera Farmiga continues to floor me with her scintillating portrayal as Norma. She's incredibly selfish, manipulative, but caring all in one. I've seen all four of the Psycho movies several times, but I don't remember finding out anything about Norma's upbringing. The bombshell she drops to Norman about her difficult childhood had me in awe. This was heavy-duty stuff that was somewhat uncomfortable to listen too (In a good way) It deals with talk of incest and other surprising things. We've never been fully told why Norma is such a complex woman, but it was explained here. Not only was it ballsy, but extremely effective. I am loving the character development. Norman's plight is furthered here as well. The poor guy has all these women swarming over him, including his odd Mother, no wonder he's going mad! You fear his instability, but feel for him as well. He's still heartbroken over Bradley, growing dangerously obsessed. Dylan and Bradley is slightly hinted at as well, but I have to say something here. I've been on Dylan's side since the second episode.

He's an easy-going guy that anybody can get along with, but he lost me somewhat in this episode. I fully understood Dylan being creeped out by Norman's premature envy, but Dylan was a real jerk in this one. There is a thing called The "Bro" code. If you're a friend or a brother, you NEVER go after somebody's ex, or somebody they have had major feelings for. It's just wrong in every way. Dylan could have easily hurried up the session with Bradley, but he acted nonchalant about it. He offers no reassurance, acts like it's no big deal. Norman acted too psychotic about it, but I didn't blame her for being incensed either. The good thing is that I have no clue where this is gonna go. Bradley is a conniving witch and she could easily try to get Norman and Dylan against each other. Bradley might not even be done with Norman yet, despite all indications say otherwise. You don't know, that's what makes this show so great. Emma's feelings for Norman are beginning to grow as well. I felt her anger was bang-on in this one, I didn't blame her for being upset at Norman. I don't care if she has a condition, I wouldn't look the other way If I was dancing with her, she's gorgeous. Norman's storyline with Miss Watson ended a tad abruptly, but it was extremely well done and makes for a perfect cliffhanger going into episode one of Season II. Just that Miss Watson was subtly seducing Norman made me go "WHOA!" This series isn't afraid to push the envelope. The Abernathy storyline comes to a close here as well. I didn't care for it at all during three episodes, but his screen time was kept to a minimum in this one and I was actually impressed how they finished it with bravado.

Overall, I predict a love triangle of sorts for Norman in season two. I expect Bradley will be killed off at some point, but it may be prolonged more than people think. My hope is that Norman falls for Emma. I can't wait for season two to start on march 3rd. This is one of the best television series to come along in some time. We all know how Norman's plight will inevitably end, but I could easily watch a few more seasons before getting to that point.

9.5/10

Review By Kamal K

The show has been a surprise and delight in the way it has woven its story in an open, intricate and twisty way, along with the quality of its cast (particularly, of course, Vera Farmiga), as well as its ability to create some compelling new characters (Dylan and Emma) as well as fascinating new situations (the secrets of White Pine Bay). Bates Motel has always had hints that will lead up to the film on which it was based, but it saved the biggest nod until the last scene in this finale, and rightfully so. Hit the jump for why "not in my town, you piece of shit!"

As a villain, Abernathy was never built up to have enough emotional impact or fear beyond a few creepy turns. His advent and demise all seemed rushed, though in a typical Bates Motel switcheroo, it was great to see Romero not only kill him, but fake us out over his own intentions regarding the town and Norma. Romero has had a great character arc throughout the season, from being Norma's main antagonist to being an uncertain ally when he cleared Norma for the death of Shelby. It was totally plausible, given the town and what we've seen of Romero, that his original speech to Abernathy was true: he wanted in, and he wanted to be paid for it. The twist that it was all a ploy to gain Abernathy's trust enough to kill him was a genuine shock. Romero is still in the grey, but he really does care about that town (at least, insofar as ... weed is ok, Chinese sex slaves are not).

Great suspense series, could not stop watching. I think the actors were fabulous, I was never distracted by bad acting, IMO that means these are all great actors in this series. The story was also great, I was on the edge of my seat for the entire season.