Bates Motel 

A contemporary prequel to Psycho, giving a portrayal of how Norman Bates' psyche unravels through his teenage years, and how deeply intricate his relationship with his mother, Norma, truly is.

Creators:

Anthony Cipriano, Carlton Cuse, Kerry Ehrin

Stars:

Vera Farmiga, Freddie Highmore, Max Thieriot

Nominated for 3 Primetime Emmys. Another 6 wins & 63 nominations.

Cast

Series cast summary:
Vera Farmiga	...	Norma Louise Bates 50 episodes, 2013-2017
Freddie Highmore	...	Norman Bates 50 episodes, 2013-2017
Max Thieriot	...	Dylan Massett 50 episodes, 2013-2017
Olivia Cooke	...	Emma Decody 49 episodes, 2013-2017
Nestor Carbonell	...	Sheriff Alex Romero / ... 48 episodes, 2013-2017

Storyline

"Bates Motel" is a contemporary prequel to the genre-defining film "Psycho," and gives a portrayal of how Norman Bates' (Freddie Highmore) psyche unravels through his teenage years. Fans discover the dark, twisted backstory of Norman Bates and how deeply intricate his relationship with his mother, Norma (Vera Farmiga), truly is.

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Plot Keywords:

incestuous desire | prequel | mental disorder | sexual awakening | motel | 

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Taglines:

Blood is thicker. (Season 2)

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Genres:

Drama | Horror | Mystery | Thriller

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Certificate:

TV-MA

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

18 March 2013 (USA)

Also Known As:

Bates Motel

Filming Locations:

Aldergrove, British Columbia, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$10,000,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

American Genre Film Archive, Kerry Ehrin Productions, Universal Television

Technical Specs

Runtime:

45 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Although various characters both the book Pyscho and the original Hitchcock movie describe an incestuous relationship between Norma and Norman Bates; when we see the characters interacting; (when Norman play acts them interacting), they don't seem sexual at all. And Norman, when he play acts his mother; doesn't seem to be attracted to his mother at all; in both book and movie the mother comes across as a vicious shrew. So we have to take it for granted, when Sam describes this incestuous relationship at the end of the book, and when the psychiatrist describes it at the end of the movie; we have to take for granted that there was something incestuous going on because we see no trace of that in either book or movie. It's almost just a random detail thrown in at the ending just to make Norman more monstrous, but it doesn't really ring true with the rest of the story. Bates Motel is the first version of the story that attempts to present this side of the story. Also in the original movie the voice effects of the mother are of someone who might be 70 or 80; way too old to be Norman's mother. But in Bates Motel Norma has been appropriately aged down to a woman in her 40s; as played by Vera Ferminga she seems like the right age to be Freddie Highmore/Norman's mother; and the relationship that develops is more believable as a result.

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Goofs

In "Psycho" Norman tells Marion that he only stuffs birds. He stated he could never do a dog or a cat like other people. However, in "Bates Motel" he first acquires his interest in taxidermy with a dog and is seen working on other mammals as well.

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Quotes

Dylan Massett: You'll do anything to get your way!
Norma Louise Bates: I've never gotten my way, and that includes being your mother!

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Crazy Credits

Names in the main credits have one letter (in each part of the name) in blue neon, like the Bates Motel sign. The letter is usually at or near the middle of the name.

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Connections

Referenced in Mr. Robot: eps2.0_unm4sk-pt2.tc (2016)

User Reviews

A must watch series even horror-haters will love it too!

I'm not sure the age range of the "reviews" written by a view of these people, but I must say they are way off about this show. I went into this series with high hopes. I knew Norma and Norman's relationship would be deeply explored, and that's what drew me in. I however was not expecting there to be so much intriguing mystery surrounding the little community they find themselves in. The casting is top notch, I honestly don't think they could have picked a better actress for Norma.

With most series you get a small taste with the pilot episode. Just enough to make you stick around long enough for the series to pick up speed, but this isn't so with Bates Motel. It starts at Mach 1 and doesn't let up. We are now about half way into the series it just keeps getting better and better. It's a Horror story, a gripping mystery, and one very good plot twist after another. Honestly I can't tell you the last time I've watched a series with this many twists in it so early into its run. Don't listen to the kids who wrote bad reviews. There parents shouldn't be letting them watch this anyway, its definitely an adult oriented show.

Take my advice and do not miss this show. It's one of the best on TV right now.