Bates Motel: Season 1

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 34 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 415 Ratings

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7.8

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7.8	Your Score
7.8	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 415 Ratings

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Bates Motel

Now Playing: Bates Motel

Season Details & Credits

A&E | Season Premiere Date: March 18, 2013

Starring: Nestor Carbonell, Vera Farmiga, Kenneth Johnson (III)

Summary: The relationship between 17-year-old Norman Bates (Freddie Highmore) and his mother Norma (Vera Farmiga) is explored in this contemporary prequel to the movie "Psycho."

Genre(s): Drama, Suspense

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Season 1 Episodes

tbd
S1:E10. Midnight
Air Date: May 20, 2013
tbd
S1:E9. Underwater
Air Date: May 13, 2013
tbd
S1:E8. A Boy and His Dog
Air Date: May 6, 2013

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Metascore

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Mixed:

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Critic Reviews

San Jose Mercury News/Contra Costa Times

Chuck Barney

Mar 14, 2013

A compelling thriller. Read full review

Hank Stuever

Mar 14, 2013

Bates Motel turns out to be a worthy reimagining of the Norman Bates story. Read full review

Mary McNamara

Mar 18, 2013

Three episodes in, the story is certainly serpentine, at times self-consciously so. But there does appear to be writerly method in the madness. More important, there is Farmiga, and she, like Norma, appears up to any task. Read full review

Mark A. Perigard

Mar 18, 2013

A&E reboots the legend of Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho,” but Bates Motel plays like a slow-burning riff on David Lynch’s “Twin Peaks” sparked by some fascinating, nuanced performances. Read full review

Linda Stasi

Mar 18, 2013

It ain’t Hitchcock, but it ain’t bad. Too bad it ain’t new. Read full review

Ellen Gray

Mar 18, 2013

Whether other people's secrets will prove to be as interesting as the intimations of Norman's not-so-sweet future remains to be seen. Read full review

Glenn Garvin

Mar 18, 2013

Having started with a bad premise, producers Carlton Cuse and Kerry Ehrin then made it infinitely worse by rejecting the loneliness and isolation that were the nucleus of Hitchcock’s film. Read full review

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User Score

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7.8

User Reviews

denisfangmusic

Mar 13, 2014

I love the thrilling show. I watch it every single Monday on A&E network. I recommend this show to everyone who like's suspense. I also tweet a lot during the show and look through what people saying about the show. Every time i see like 40 tweets per 50 seconds its insane.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Lucas565

Nov 28, 2020

Uma das melhores séries que eu já assisti eu recomendo ela é maravilhosa.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

dpaniagua

Mar 19, 2013

so far its amazing from start to finish. the actors (vera farmiga and freddie highmore) give it their all in their outstanding performances. its too good to miss out and you wont stop watching it.

14 of 18 users found this helpful144

raviopatra

Nov 17, 2013

The show works it way to climax slowly but in a good way. It doesn't rush things so viewers get to take all the suspense in. Freddie Highmore is surprisingly good playing against his typical role of being a sweetheart and Vera Farmiga manages to pull an act that makes me all sympathetic toThe show works it way to climax slowly but in a good way. It doesn't rush things so viewers get to take all the suspense in. Freddie Highmore is surprisingly good playing against his typical role of being a sweetheart and Vera Farmiga manages to pull an act that makes me all sympathetic to her. Bates Motel is a very interesting and unique take on the story and should do well as long as the writers keep it consistent.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

dante_finn

Jul 10, 2014

The show is creppy is in a good way. I like the way Norman Bates is . We all try to think he is a nice guy with just some "problems" but we all know he is pshyco in training. The acting is outstanding and Freddie Highmore sometimes gives you the chills. Oh my god,this show is excellentThe show is creppy is in a good way. I like the way Norman Bates is . We all try to think he is a nice guy with just some "problems" but we all know he is pshyco in training. The acting is outstanding and Freddie Highmore sometimes gives you the chills. Oh my god,this show is excellent because the way it's presented in.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

IAC

Mar 20, 2015

Excellent performances from everyone signed on to this series. Norma Bates is one of the best written characters on TV right now, brought to life by Vera Farmiga in a way that is disturbing and sympathetic at the same time. This kind of fallibility and nuance is generally reserved forExcellent performances from everyone signed on to this series. Norma Bates is one of the best written characters on TV right now, brought to life by Vera Farmiga in a way that is disturbing and sympathetic at the same time. This kind of fallibility and nuance is generally reserved for leading white male characters, and to see a woman finally written as both condemned and redeemable is refreshingly courageous. It is beautifully shot; props to everyone involved with the look and feel of the show, which creates a subtly off-kilter blending of eras from 1960s through present day.

Most criticism I've seen here stems from a comparison to its source material, Psycho, which frankly I feel is missing the point. Bates Motel is a separate entity that draws from the classic film, but is in no way a companion piece. It explores the motives and psychology behind a dysfunctional, codependant relationship between mother and son, which is interesting on its own. It's not Psycho, and it's not trying to be.

My own criticism is with regards to the plot, which can feel contrived at times, particularly in the second season. Certain events occur for the sole purpose of moving the characters from A to B, rather than their attitude and decisions moving the plot, so I sometimes felt like I was being led by the nose. The strength of the show is in the characters, their twisted relationships with each other, and the depth with which the actors all seem to grasp their characters. Overall, a compelling, unique show that's not afraid to creep you out with incestuous undertones in a relationship that has you feeling compassion and disgust a the same time.… Expand

1 of 2 users found this helpful11

BamaGoatt

Apr 6, 2013

I want to start by saying I knew this was a bad idea it is completely destroying a classic film. Now as bad as it is I still watch just to poke fun at the little things like the deep fried father burnt to a crisp in episode 2 how is he still living? Either they went overboard on the make upI want to start by saying I knew this was a bad idea it is completely destroying a classic film. Now as bad as it is I still watch just to poke fun at the little things like the deep fried father burnt to a crisp in episode 2 how is he still living? Either they went overboard on the make up or the guy looked like a cannibal's supper. The power of suggestion is a big thing to influence Norman I guess. What happened to the whole incest storyline much easier to believe that could drive one psycho instead of a stupid book with nudity in it. Why even use that book just give him some old playboys lol. By the end of season 1 I will not be able to watch any psycho again they have completely killed it.… Expand

0 of 11 users found this helpful011

SEE ALL 75 REVIEWS

Seasons & Episodes

69

Series Overview
Season 5

81
- Season 5 Overview
  Air Date: February 20, 2017
Season 4

tbd
- Season 4 Overview
  Air Date: March 7, 2016
Season 3

72
- Season 3 Overview
  Air Date: March 9, 2015
Season 2

67
- Season 2 Overview
  Air Date: March 3, 2014
Season 1

66
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: March 18, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E10. Midnight
  Air Date: May 20, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E9. Underwater
  Air Date: May 13, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E8. A Boy and His Dog
  Air Date: May 6, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E7. The Man in Number 9
  Air Date: April 29, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E6. The Truth
  Air Date: April 22, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E5. Ocean View
  Air Date: April 15, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E4. Trust Me
  Air Date: April 8, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E3. What's Wrong With Norman
  Air Date: April 1, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E2. Nice Town You Picked Norma
  Air Date: March 25, 2013
- tbd
  S1:E1. First You Dream, Then You Die
  Air Date: March 18, 2013