Bates Motel is a far cry from Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho, but its engaging premise and meticulous production molds the droll, the dramatic, and the macabre in ways that could qualify as Hitchcockian. The series cleverly depicts events that happened prior to the mayhem of Psycho in a contemporary setting and a different state. Norman Bates (Freddie Highmore) attends school in a coastal Oregon town where his mother, Norma (Vera Farmiga), has bought a rustic motel to help rebuild a life that has been tumultuous for both. To say they're co-dependent is putting it mildly. The narrative here is fraught with the dark secrets of Norma and Norman, as well as nefarious doings within their small town. Norman is having blackouts when bad things happen, and suffering from murderous confusion. Norma is embroiled with townies, drug lords, rivals for Norman's attention, and the paternity of her estranged first child, Dylan (Max Thieriot). Heavy on atmosphere and evocative tableaux, Bates Motel serves up lots of violence (Norman is by no means the only crazy killer). Farmiga is superb as the vulnerable yet industrious Norma, and Highmore creepily channels Anthony Perkins's original Norman. Details from smart set design to screeching, Bernard Herrmann–esque strings nicely complete the package. Compiling all 10 episodes from the 2014 second season, extras include a behind-the-scenes featurette and deleted scenes. Recommended. (T. Fry)
Bates Motel: Season Two
Universal, 427 min., not rated, DVD: 3 discs, $44.98; Blu-ray: $49.98 January 26, 2015
Bates Motel: Season Two
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