Bates Motel (TV Series) The Immutable Truth (2014) User Reviews

Season 2 (8/10 Stars): Character Work Continues To Sparkle

[zkonedog · 8/10 · 2 July 2019]

In the first season of Bates Motel, the show impressed this Psycho fan with its ability to craft a "young Norman Bates" story even albeit general plot lines that are not always the most compelling. That same basic formula remains true in this second season: expert character work that carries the freight when the plots don't always lead to a fulfilling conclusion.

Some of the highlights of this S2 include...

-Further exploration of Norman's (Freddie Highmore) "blackouts" and his confrontation on what they may be doing to him--all while the investigation into the mysterious S1 finale death of Blair Watson is still being investigated by Alex Romero (Nestor Carbonell).

-Norma's (Vera Farmiga) brother Caleb (Kenny Johnson) shows up and dredges up conflicting stories about their childhood together and how Dylan (Max Theirot) is involved.

-New character Cody Brennan (Paloma Kwiatkowski) fills in quite nicely and fulfills a tremendous role in the Norman Bates canon, of sorts. Her character really exposes the holes in the Norma/Norman relationship, especially as they pertain to sex and relationships.

The dynamic between Norma and Norman here in S2 continues to be some of the best--and most chilling--in the history of "peak TV". The fact that such quality was achieved on A&E (not an HBO or equivalent) remains astounding.

Granted, this show still has some built-in limitations for plot-lovers. As with S1, many events are not altogether compelling and when scrutinized do not always lead anywhere substantial. This season had to unceremoniously write the Bradley Martin (Nicola Peltz) out due to a film commitment, and Emma Decody (Olivia Cooke) is perhaps not utilized as well as that strong character should/could be.

Overall, I give S2 the same 8/10 rating I gave the inaugural Bates Motel run. It continues to be a grand Psycho re-imagining--but could also be a spiritual prequel to the events of that 1960 film. With every episode, Highmore's Norman and Farmiga's Norma continue to fall down a chilling rabbit hole in which the endgame is known for Bates fans--but all the details matter and are immaculate here.

Season 2

[IPyaarCinema · 9/10 · 25 September 2021]

Review By Kamal K

Bates Motel delivers an impressive second season that really opens up the series. The overall story arc follows Norma Bates as she unwittingly becomes involved with a local mobster when she enters into city politics in an attempt to stop the construction of a bypass that will ruin her motel; meanwhile Norman struggles with the trauma of his teacher's murder and slowly begins to realize that there's something wrong with him. Additionally, there's a side plot about a drug war that erupts when the local boss is killed. The serial storytelling is especially good, developing a smart and compelling story over the 10 episodes. The show also does a great job at building suspense, ending each episode on a gripping cliffhanger. And once again there are several surprisingly strong performances from the supporting cast, including, Paloma Kwiatkowski and Michael Eklund. Dark and edgy, Season 2 of Bates Motel is provocative and full of intrigue.

If there is one thing Norma has been trying to give Norman all his life, it is a sense of normalcy. Something which seemingly maybe at its end.

[Amari-Sali · 18 May 2014]

Norman has been crazy lucky this season. He got his first real taste of love, outside of his mother; accidentally murdered someone, and got away with it; and pretty much had the type of summer no kid would believe happened. Thing is, one final test of his luck comes with this polygraph test Romero wants. And while Dylan is for Norman having the type of protection, and likely medication, he needs, from medical professionals, Norma hasn't given up just yet.

Topic 1: A Desolate Battlefield - Dylan

With Nick Ford dead, and Romero so conveniently seeing Dylan as he leaves the scene of the crime, Romero decides to inject himself back into the drug war. Part of the reason for this is because Dylan immediately confesses to killing Nick Ford, which seemed very weird, and then upon seeing Nick's dead body, wheels start turning in Romero's head. After all, with one of the families sort of wiped out now, there is just the Morgan family. But, before Romero can focus on the issue of the drugs, he seeks one of Nick's guys, Ben, so he can find Norman.

Of which he does, and Norman is very grateful and we see Dylan very much gripping his brother tightly, perhaps taking note of what Emma said and taking this whole situation as a warning. But, now with Norman free, there comes the issue of Zayn. As we have seen, Zayn isn't the type of guy you want running around with freedom. After all, with Nick gone, and Jodie a push over, imagine the ruckus Zayn would cause. So, with Jodie's assistance, Romero and Dylan plan a trap.

Thing is, the trap backfires. For, lest we forget, Zayn is either paranoid, or not much of a fool. Dylan did just visit him, in a rather suspicious manner, just a few days ago, and now with Nick dead, wouldn't it be just peachy if Zayn died too? Likely, this was his thinking, so he decided to turn off the power to Jodie's house and Romero goes down to investigate and, being the idiots they are, Jodie goes downstairs, with Dylan following, and then there is a sibling showdown. Jodie has a knife and gets one lick in, but then Zayn puts 2+ shots in her, then points his gun at Dylan. Thankfully, for him, Romero is behind Zayn and is ready for revenge. Queue the shotgun blast dead into Zayn's chest and now both drug families are gone, creating what Romero calls "A vacuum," one he wants Dylan to fill since he thinks he is level headed enough. Though, from what it seems, Dylan isn't keen on this idea.

Topic 2: Final Goodbyes - Norman

With Norman back home comes him trying to speak to Norma about that dream he had of killing Blair. Of which, naturally, Norma denies because she wants to maintain this coerced sense of normalcy. Norman is her 2nd chance, albeit vicariously, at normalcy, and with his insistence he killed Blair, she begins to make plans to get them out of town. Especially since Romero wants that polygraph test, but unbeknownst to her, Norman has his own plans. The first part deals with telling Emma why the family was so distant meaning, yes, Emma knows all the details about Dylan and Norma's situation in terms of the rape and his dad being his uncle. And the reason this is done is because, while Emma can't know of Norman's own personal issues in details, at the very least she can get some form of this closeness to the Bates she desires through this bit of information. So, with this knowledge bestowed, Norman hopes she will reconsider staying, if just for his mother's sake.

The next thing Norman does is spend some time with his mom. They clean together, dance a bit, and he thanks her for all she has done. Especially getting a gun. For, upon realizing what he has done, and likely has done during those blackouts, he has lost his reason to live. And while Norma seemingly is ready to go to Montreal, with Dylan by the way who is very touched she bought a ticket for him, Norman is ready to end things. But, Norma stops him if just by promising him that if he kills himself, she will die soon after.

Topic 3: A Verdict - Norman

With that said, and Montreal being taken off the table since Dylan seemingly convinces Norma to just face the possible inevitable, it is time for the polygraph test. Now, Norman answers every question honestly. He admits to stealing money, sex with Blair, and even hurting people. However, upon the question of murdering Blair, his mind's version of Norma appears and she tells him she did it. With this, his mind seemingly changes course and he ends up passing the polygraph, making him probably the luckiest boys in the world.

Well, unless you consider him killing his dad; helping his mom hide a body; one of his first loves never loving him back and leaving; his first true love leaving since he killed her dad; his brother having a love/ hate relationship with him; a cop who has way too much interest in his family and knows way too much; and an innocent girl who wants so badly to be part of his family, but doesn't realize it would be best to just mind her business. Either way, I hope next season school starts because between Blair's murder, and all that happened during the summer, imagine what the kids will be saying, much less, considering all the recurring characters for this season are gone, including Christine who hates Norma now, we need some new blood.

the more you watch it

[abortamir · 3/10 · 15 December 2021]

The more stupid it gets, you will go crazy and angry, I mean you will get try to get out of your mother life if it happens to u. Every single season he never gets caught or have any consequence, I mean this town is dumb as hell.