Bates Motel

The television series Bates Motel is extraordinary. PSYCHO movie enthusiasts are drawn to the show because it is a prequel to the film. For the series’ writers, exploring the early life of Norman Bates must be a complex, but enjoyable task. As a writer, I would dive into the opportunity of writing for this show (the writing staff is all female with the exception of executive producer Carlton Cuse). The Norman character is complicated, and his mother Norma Bates is equally interesting, as she operates on various levels. They are both complex. This makes Bates Motel an adventure for viewers; no one knows what to expect.

Anthony Perkins played Norman Bates in PSYCHO, and would probably be satisfied with Freddie Highmore’s magnificent portrayal of the character. Olivia Hussey played Norma Bates very well in PSYCHO IV: THE BEGINNING, and Vera Farmiga takes the character’s insane antics even further in Bates Motel. Farmiga deserved her 2013 Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, and it would not be surprising if she is nominated again.

Bates Motel takes place in White Pine Bay, Oregon as opposed to Fairvale, California in PSYCHO. This is an intelligent change, as the idea of a coastal community makes it more likely that people would visit the quaint town and need a place to stay. However, with the storyline about the bypass being built, it is uncertain if Norma will have many guests at the motel. This makes Norma extremely angry. Watching her go off on the city council is amusing and frightening at the same time. She is one crazy lady, and this is why Bates Motel should be on television: viewers get to see Norman is nutty courtesy of his unbalanced mother.

On the other hand, Norma’s eldest son Dylan, played favorably by Max Thieriot, seems more balanced. However, being a part of such an insane family must affect him in some ungainly way. The writers know this and viewers have seen Dylan in situations that support this notion.

The town of White Pine Bay is home for several peculiar residents, including the obscure sheriff, played by Nestor Carbonell. Overall, the writers have created engaging characters and storylines. Hopefully Bates Motel will be on television for a long time and sufficiently reveal the irregular lives of Norman Bates and Norma Bates.

Bates Motel broadcasts internationally on television. In the U.S. it airs Monday nights on A&E network. For more information, visit http://www.batesmotel.com/ and http://www.aetv.com/bates-motel.