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      Season 1 – Bates Motel

      2013 Drama Mystery & Thriller Horror List
      82% Tomatometer 45 Reviews 88% Audience Score 500+ Ratings After the death of her husband, Norma Bates buys a motel in the picturesque coastal town of White Pine Bay, giving herself and teenage son Norman a chance to begin anew. Shy Norman is reluctant at first, but with the help of his mother -- with whom he shares an intensely close relationship -- the boy begins to open up to others and make new friends. Some locals, however, aren't as friendly and welcoming to the Bates, who discover that because White Pine Bay isn't as peaceful as it appears, they are forced to do whatever it takes to survive. The drama series, from executive producers Carlton Cuse ("Lost") and Kerry Ehrin ("Friday Night Lights") and inspired by the seminal 1960 horror film "Psycho," explores the formative years of Norman Bates and how his complicated bond with his mother forged a serial killer. Read More Read Less Watch on Fandango at Home Buy Now

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      Bates Motel — Season 1

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      Bates Motel — Season 1

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      Critics Consensus

      Bates Motel utilizes mind manipulation and suspenseful fear tactics, on top of consistently sharp character work and wonderfully uncomfortable familial relationships.

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      Critics Reviews

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      Adam Nayman The Ringer Bates Motel's attempted shotgun marriage of the two master filmmakers is not only logical but a perfectly postmodern proposition. Apr 11, 2020 Full Review Allison Keene Collider 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. Rated: A Dec 15, 2017 Full Review William Thomas Empire Magazine The idea of a Psycho prequel, set now, may seem as appealing as a shower with Mother. But masterfully jangly lead performances and the go-for-broke pace make it surprisingly compelling. Rated: 3/5 Nov 2, 2017 Full Review Randy Dankievitch Processed Media Bates Motel completely missed that point - and by doing so, ends its first season with an absolute dud of a finale. Rated: C- Feb 12, 2020 Full Review Cleaver Patterson CineVue The result is a show respectful to the memory of its illustrious predecessor, yet confident enough not to be overshadowed by it. Rated: 4/5 Mar 7, 2019 Full Review Toni Garcia El Pais (Spain) Thus, the series can be seen perfectly without having seen Psychosis and is equally enjoyable for those who pay homage to Hitchcock. [Full Review in Spanish] Jul 30, 2018 Full Review Read all reviews

      Audience Reviews

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      Michael L It took me forever to start this show. I had watched 1-2 episodes before and always switched. I finally decided to sit down and actually plow through this thing. Don't hesitate, watch it. It's such a good show. Once it got to season 3 I started asking myself why the vibe of this show seemed so familiar. The intro, the pacing, reminding me Lost. Sure enough, it's the same guy who did that. It gets better and better, and things start to get into 4th gear by the 3rd season when it comes to Norman really making a drastic dark change. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 01/30/24 Full Review wowowo w I miss this show so much now Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 10/04/23 Full Review Mike P Interesting premise. It's sort of, what if the whole Psycho story happened today; and the characters were all more normalish than the psychotic menagerie you saw in the original movie... Like, more like US, the audience; how would that play itself out? So the challenge here is to touch on all the same beats of the original story; but the characters are US, and this is happening now. And how would this work out? (Or put another way, this is sort of the Psycho story plugged into the Wicked formula; i.e. taking a classic story, flipping it upside down and making the villain the hero; etc)...Most of it works great. English actor Freddie Highmore once again proves he's an extremely gifted and versatile performer; and Verma Farminga proves the same; as Norma and Norman Bates, respectively. And they have excellent chemistry. I'd say this works better as a drama, or psychological thriller; rather than horror like the source material was. And there's times when they're straining for effects and kind of shoe-horning this story into the formula here. But it's always compelling and interesting. Verdict: thumbs up 👍!! RECOMMENDED!! Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 06/08/23 Full Review Claudiu I I like how they build up the characters. A lot of broken people ruining their own lives and others. I loved how they build up tension and suspense. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 06/04/23 Full Review Lukas-Jeremie K "Bates Motel" has cast two truly phenomenal actors in the leading roles with Freddie Highmore and Vera Farmiga! The acting of the supporting characters is often well done too! I also think the setting was very well chosen, even if this was already given here. However, the series takes a lot of time telling the story. It often happens that for a very long time almost nothing relevant to the story is told and the series just jumps from subplot to subplot. So the series only really grabbed me from the 4th season, because from then on it really gets exciting. I also think that the love and sex in the series is a little overdone. Hardly a male and a female character can meet without a sexual tension arising between them. Nevertheless, "Bates Motel" is a very good series if you have enough patience. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 04/23/23 Full Review Leonard E Not horror at all. Nothing scary about this show, it is thriller and drama. The pacing isnt slow which is great and it doesn't take long for plot points to move along which is rare and also really great. Unfortunately I couldn't stand the step brother/son. I know hes written so hes supposed to be annoying, which makes it annoying because he became that typical token annoying character like every other show has where your supposed to hate him but then theres character growth and then you think differently of him blah blah blah, boring and predictable. And the actor is terrible, probably the worst actor on the show, every time hes on screen it takes me out of the show, he single-handedly ruins the show for me. The show wouldve been much better without him, focusing more on Norman. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 08/13/22 Full Review Read all reviews
      Bates Motel — Season 1

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      Episodes

      Episode 1 Aired Mar 18, 2013 First You Dream, Then You Die Widow Norma Bates and her shy teenage son, Norman, seek a fresh start in a coastal town filled with secrets; the arrival of an unexpected guest turns the Bates' lives upside down. Details Episode 2 Aired Mar 25, 2013 Nice Town You Picked, Norma ... Dylan immediately begins causing trouble; the Bates are drawn into the secrets surrounding White Pine Bay. Details Episode 3 Aired Apr 1, 2013 What's Wrong With Norman Dylan learns there is more to his new job than he originally thought; Emma and Norman make a shocking discovery. Details Episode 4 Aired Apr 8, 2013 Trust Me Norman escapes from Deputy Sheriff Zach Shelby's house with the help of his brother Dylan, who creates a diversion - but the girl he found in the basement is left behind. He tells his mother what has happened but she does not believe him. Details Episode 5 Aired Apr 15, 2013 Ocean View Norma receives some much-needed help, while Norman desperately awaits his mother's return home; Emma and Norman follow more clues, leading to a big discovery. Details Episode 6 Aired Apr 22, 2013 The Truth Dylan asks Norman to move in with him; Norma warns Emma that some things are best kept to themselves. Details Episode 7 Aired Apr 29, 2013 The Man in Number 9 The Bates Motel welcomes its first guest; Norman learns that popular girls come with many complications. Details Episode 8 Aired May 6, 2013 A Boy and His Dog A mysterious stranger causes problems for Norma; Bradley is not happy when rumors spread at school; Dylan and Remo go on a fateful road trip; Norman takes up a grisly hobby. Details Episode 9 Aired May 13, 2013 Underwater Abernathy increases the pressure; Bradley and Dylan connect; Miss Watson encourages Norman's active imagination; Emma takes a trip. Details Episode 10 Aired May 20, 2013 Midnight Romero decides to take action; Norman brings Emma to the dance; Norman gets a ride home from Miss Watson. Details
      77% 66% American Horror Story TRAILER for American Horror Story % 78% Medici % % A Taiwanese Tale of Two Cities 80% 62% Glitch 50% 80% MotherFatherSon Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

      Season Info

      Director
      Tucker Gates
      Executive Producer
      Carlton Cuse, Kerry Ehrin
      Screenwriter
      Kerry Ehrin, Anthony Cipriano
      Network
      A&E
      Rating
      TV-14 (V|D|L|S)
      Genre
      Drama, Mystery & Thriller, Horror
      Original Language
      English
      Release Date
      Mar 18, 2013