Tuesday 2 April 2013

Review: 'Bates Motel: Nice Town You Picked, Norma . . . '

'Bates Motel: Nice Town You Picked, Norma . . . ' 2013, Universal Television. Written by Kerry Ehrin. Directed by Tucker Gates. Starring Vera Farmiga and Freddie Highmore. Rated TV-14 for dialogue, sexual situations, language, and violence. Airs 10.00 p.m. EST on Mondays on A&E.


In this episode, Dylan (Max Thierot), Norman's half-brother, shows up unexpectedly on the Bates' doorstep. He has no money and no job, and expects to live with his mother and Norman. This situation doesn't please Norma at all; she and Dylan don't get on -- he's got a knack for pushing her buttons, and seems to enjoy it. Norman is, at first, rather nonplussed, but he grows to dislike Dylan as well. 

But that isn't the Bates' only problem: the police are still sniffing around, looking for clues to the whereabouts of Keith Summers, the man Norma killed. Sheriff Alex Romero was friends with Summers, so the hunt is personal for him. Not only that, but the father of Norman's friend (and possible love interest) Bradley Martin (Nicola Peltz) shows up badly burnt. And Norman and his friend (and possible love interest) Emma Decody (Olivia Cooke) uncover a pot field. 

The plot underscores the illegal activities going on in this seemingly idyllic town, which, Deputy Shelby says, has an 'eye for an eye' mentality. We see grisly evidence of that in the final scene. 

We also see a bit of how Norma and Norman's relationship is maybe a little too close: Norma is not only unabashed about undressing in front of Norman, she also declares that it isn't weird. Norman is uncomfortable with it, but he doesn't argue the point. 

Chris Bacon composes the music for this series, and we must point out that it's quite good, and sets the tone nicely.  

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