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‘Bates Motel’: ‘Norman’ Learns About Life After Death In Finale

By Joey Click

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‘Bates Motel’ has reached the season finale of it’s fourth year, and with it, comes one television horror’s all-time best episodes.

Warning. This review contains major, I repeat, major spoilers. Check out now before you get caught up to at least last week’s ‘ episode. We hope you enjoy your stay.

So here we are my fellow tenets of Bates Motel. Everything that A&E’s Bates Motel has ever done, some lazy and some highly effective, has lead to the show’s newest episode, Norman.

If she has gone, it is YOUR fault- Norman Bates

As has been a trend in the last three episodes of the ever-becoming sensational series; There’s No Place Like Home, Unfaithful, and Forever, Norman is a brilliant hour of television that would make Alfred Hitchcock, Anthony Perkins, and Robert Bloch, author of the book Psycho in which the film and television series is based on, extremely proud.

Written by Kerry Ehrin , who also developed the series for television with Carlton Cuse, Norman’s script is as sharp as a kitchen knife. It features an amazingly scripted rivalry between Norman and Romero that’s probably the best thing you’ll find on television this week. Simply put, Norman’s a focused hour of TV that has zero fat on its narrative waistline.

Among the many amazing scenes, the ones that strictly involve Romero and Norman are without a doubt some of the best stuff Bates Motel has ever presented. They are high-octane moments of theatrical bliss.

Also, there’s a moment in the end, the last one that truly honors 1960’s Psycho, that freaking blew my mind. I was left speechless Horror Heads. The end of Norman left me with tears in my eyes. Not of sorrow, but of happiness. I haven’t see a prequel this perfect…ever.

Nestor Carbonell as Alex Romero in ‘Bates Motel’-Courtesy of A&E

The acting is top notch in Norman. While Vera Farmiga‘s amazing talents are sorely missed, two other cast members really bring the goods in her absence.

Freddie Highmore continues to prove why he’s one of the best actors on television in an episode that should garner Emmy consideration. In Norman, an episode appropriately titled, Highmore delivers brilliant work that took the show from great to probably the best work that horror, not just TV, has had in quite some time. I was shocked at how great the actor is and this is just the beginning. Highmore has a great future ahead of him.

Nestor Carbonell Is also amazing in Norman. Being so torn up about the loss of Norma, Romero is on a vengeful path to make Norman pay. Like Highmore, Carbonell has never been better than he is in Norman (saved for the final scenes of last week’s episode). The two scenes the actor shines brightest in are his altercations with Norman. The two fight to scene steal. You tell me who wins.

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On top of the all the greatness that Norman is, the Bates Motel season finale is directed like a son of a bitch. It’s swift when it needs to be, composed when called for, and shots seem to be perfectly chosen without being too overwrought.

Directed by Tucker Gates, here are just a few examples of Norman’s great direction: The shot of Norman in the ambulance (great ceiling shot), a half revolutions starting, and slowly turning, on Romero’s back (before opening credits), as well as a few shots when Norman is transporting Norma’s body. So brilliant.

Next: Horror Movies: How The Dark Brought Me To Light

So, will Norman finally meet his mother after her journey to the other side? Will Romero make Norman pay for what he’s done? Will Dylan find out about the death of his mother? You’ll have to head over to A&E and check into Bates Motel to find out

THE VERDICT:

Tucker Gates’s Norman is one of the best episodes of television I have ever seen. As a horror fan, one who adores Hitchcock’s Psycho, I was floored by Norman, Bates Motel’s fourth season finale. Fans of the Psycho property in general will be blown away by Norman, and if you haven’t been watching Bates Motel, it’s time to check-in and catch up. See you next year at Bates Motel.

THE GRADE: A+

Check out an iconic scene from1960’s Psycho below see to what we are in store for in Season 5:

Keeping up with A&E’s Bates Motel? Excited to see where the series goes after Monday’s Norman?  Don’t forget to sound off below with your comments, opinions and insights so we can keep this Bates conversation going. 

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