Bates Motel: The Immutable Truth
May 6, 2014 8:35 PM - Season 2, Episode 10 - Subscribe
The dramatic second season of this "prequel" series to Psycho comes to an end.
How will White Pine Bay deal with the power vacuum at the top of its drug trade? Will Norma take her murderous brood to Canada after all? Does Emma regret being ushered into the Bates family's secrets? What exactly happened to Norman during that polygraph exam?
How will White Pine Bay deal with the power vacuum at the top of its drug trade? Will Norma take her murderous brood to Canada after all? Does Emma regret being ushered into the Bates family's secrets? What exactly happened to Norman during that polygraph exam?
I'm watching it! What do you think was up with Norma getting so effusive with Dylan all of a sudden?
posted by rue72 at 9:31 AM on May 7, 2014
posted by rue72 at 9:31 AM on May 7, 2014
I'm watching, and I loooooove the campy-creepy thing it's been doing so well. I think the first season was a little unsteady, but the show seems to have found a consistent and consistently compelling point of view with its second. Plus I think the art direction is just impeccable, it's just a joy to soak in the perfectly lost-in-time vibe.
But I haven't seen this last episode yet! Be back after I watch.
posted by peachfuzz at 1:21 PM on May 7, 2014 [3 favorites]
But I haven't seen this last episode yet! Be back after I watch.
posted by peachfuzz at 1:21 PM on May 7, 2014 [3 favorites]
I'm watching it like crazy -- who would ever for a minute have thought that a Psycho reboot would be so nuanced? Fantastic cast, especially Vera Farmiga. I'm glad the show unloaded Bradley this season; the one thing I disliked about the first one was the CW-ish bits.
posted by FelliniBlank at 1:48 PM on May 7, 2014 [2 favorites]
posted by FelliniBlank at 1:48 PM on May 7, 2014 [2 favorites]
I watch it and love it! I don't have much to say about, aside from: hopefully now the hilariously bad 'warring drug families' side story will end.
posted by destructive cactus at 5:23 PM on May 7, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by destructive cactus at 5:23 PM on May 7, 2014 [1 favorite]
hopefully now the hilariously bad 'warring drug families' side story will end.
Yes, killing all those characters off pretty briskly was a good idea.
posted by FelliniBlank at 5:39 PM on May 7, 2014
Yes, killing all those characters off pretty briskly was a good idea.
posted by FelliniBlank at 5:39 PM on May 7, 2014
Yeah the drug families thing was a bit stupid. I hope Dylan can get a better B story next season. I also hope we get more Emma. The episode where she and Norman ended up on the unintentional double date at the swimmin' holler was one of my favorites this year.
What do you think was up with Norma getting so effusive with Dylan all of a sudden?
She realized he had taken out her nemesis and she was being grateful in her terrifyingly creepy Norma-ish way.
posted by Rock Steady at 6:09 PM on May 7, 2014 [2 favorites]
What do you think was up with Norma getting so effusive with Dylan all of a sudden?
She realized he had taken out her nemesis and she was being grateful in her terrifyingly creepy Norma-ish way.
posted by Rock Steady at 6:09 PM on May 7, 2014 [2 favorites]
The physicality between Norman and Norma is so fascinating. I think I could watch their scenes together with the sound off and still be entranced.
posted by Rock Steady at 6:11 PM on May 7, 2014
posted by Rock Steady at 6:11 PM on May 7, 2014
Norma and Dylan do seem to get along much better immediately after he kills someone who's bothering her. Y'know, typical parent-child relationship.
But I actually like Norma overall and thought her former BFF's reaction to the brother dumpage was a little much, although you had to see that coming when they so aggressively "befriended" Norma. Anything that helps bring together Norma and Sheriff Alex is OK by me, though.
posted by FelliniBlank at 6:15 PM on May 7, 2014
But I actually like Norma overall and thought her former BFF's reaction to the brother dumpage was a little much, although you had to see that coming when they so aggressively "befriended" Norma. Anything that helps bring together Norma and Sheriff Alex is OK by me, though.
posted by FelliniBlank at 6:15 PM on May 7, 2014
I was wondering if Norma was being so nice to Dylan because she knew that Norman was likely to be out of the picture soon. I have a huge soft spot for Norma, too, but she's never been without a man. If Dylan is the only one left around, I can see her trying to make sure he doesn't leave her. But I'm also dubious that she even got tickets to Canada, let alone that she got three of them. Are we supposed to believe her? I don't think she was lying exactly in that scene, it just seemed like it was too much.
She even said it might be a good idea for Norman to be institutionalized, she didn't lash out at Dylan at all when he suggested it. I don't know, it just seemed strange to me. Not like she was lying but...she's a survivor.
posted by rue72 at 6:28 PM on May 7, 2014 [1 favorite]
She even said it might be a good idea for Norman to be institutionalized, she didn't lash out at Dylan at all when he suggested it. I don't know, it just seemed strange to me. Not like she was lying but...she's a survivor.
posted by rue72 at 6:28 PM on May 7, 2014 [1 favorite]
I'm watching it! I just finished the finale. So many thoughts:
- I started out thinking the show is really stupid... and it kind of is? But it's also really fun and watchable. Luckily for me, I started watching before I realised who the showrunner was.
- I love Veal Parmigiana SO MUCH in this. She makes such interesting choices with Norma, a character whose contradictions are actually pretty hard to make believable. Yet she manages to do it, and make Norma interesting, sympathetic, infuriating, compelling and mortifying to watch all at once.
- I'm kinda enjoying the little unrequited love frisson between Sheriff Romero and Norma. I think that's part of the reason the polygraph was so important for Romero—he needs to know what's up with Norman if he's going to pursue Norma.
- Yes, totally agree about the Emma/Norman scene at the bathing pool. So good. In general I just love any scene with Emma in it: she's so charismatic, likeable and, in her own way, unpredictable.
- The little Psycho-style camera angles and tributes sprinkled through the show are really fun. I thought the final shot of the season would be this, and it kinda was!
posted by EXISTENZ IS PAUSED at 6:55 PM on May 7, 2014 [2 favorites]
- I started out thinking the show is really stupid... and it kind of is? But it's also really fun and watchable. Luckily for me, I started watching before I realised who the showrunner was.
- I love Veal Parmigiana SO MUCH in this. She makes such interesting choices with Norma, a character whose contradictions are actually pretty hard to make believable. Yet she manages to do it, and make Norma interesting, sympathetic, infuriating, compelling and mortifying to watch all at once.
- I'm kinda enjoying the little unrequited love frisson between Sheriff Romero and Norma. I think that's part of the reason the polygraph was so important for Romero—he needs to know what's up with Norman if he's going to pursue Norma.
- Yes, totally agree about the Emma/Norman scene at the bathing pool. So good. In general I just love any scene with Emma in it: she's so charismatic, likeable and, in her own way, unpredictable.
- The little Psycho-style camera angles and tributes sprinkled through the show are really fun. I thought the final shot of the season would be this, and it kinda was!
posted by EXISTENZ IS PAUSED at 6:55 PM on May 7, 2014 [2 favorites]
I'm surprised that they haven't introduced a potential teen love interest character for Norman who looks just a little like Norma...(I mean, Taissa Farmiga is right there...though maybe that would be too weird on the set/for the audience to factor in).
What exactly happened to Norman during that polygraph exam?
Oh, he Norma'ed out. He was thinking as Norma, the question was "Did you kill Blaire Watson?" and "she" figured, "He's asking whether Norman killed her...I'm Norma, I did it, so no," and his heart rate remained steady.
Some thoughts, looking ahead: Do you think Norma will die before the end of the series, but continue to appear as Norman's visions? Will they ever include Marion Crane, Arbogast, or any other characters from the original film? Will any of the revelations that appear in the Psycho sequels be even hinted at here (not that I need them to since the sequels weren't very good other than part 2, but it would be a nice surprise)?
posted by doctornecessiter at 4:43 AM on May 8, 2014
What exactly happened to Norman during that polygraph exam?
Oh, he Norma'ed out. He was thinking as Norma, the question was "Did you kill Blaire Watson?" and "she" figured, "He's asking whether Norman killed her...I'm Norma, I did it, so no," and his heart rate remained steady.
Some thoughts, looking ahead: Do you think Norma will die before the end of the series, but continue to appear as Norman's visions? Will they ever include Marion Crane, Arbogast, or any other characters from the original film? Will any of the revelations that appear in the Psycho sequels be even hinted at here (not that I need them to since the sequels weren't very good other than part 2, but it would be a nice surprise)?
posted by doctornecessiter at 4:43 AM on May 8, 2014
I'm surprised that they haven't introduced a potential teen love interest character for Norman who looks just a little like Norma...(I mean, Taissa Farmiga is right there...
That's genius.
Oh, he Norma'ed out. He was thinking as Norma, the question was "Did you kill Blaire Watson?" and "she" figured, "He's asking whether Norman killed her...I'm Norma, I did it, so no," and his heart rate remained steady.
Interesting. We took it to mean that Norman has figured out that he can lie convincingly if he pretends to be Norma. That's why he had the slightly devious grin at the very end. He's discovered a kind of superpower that will give him a great deal more freedom in the future. It's a subtle difference from your idea, but one that gives Norman a bit more evil intention, which I think is going to be important going forward.
I think Norma's death will be the climax of the series. Maybe not in the series finale, but not until the last season for sure.
posted by Rock Steady at 9:16 AM on May 8, 2014 [2 favorites]
That's genius.
Oh, he Norma'ed out. He was thinking as Norma, the question was "Did you kill Blaire Watson?" and "she" figured, "He's asking whether Norman killed her...I'm Norma, I did it, so no," and his heart rate remained steady.
Interesting. We took it to mean that Norman has figured out that he can lie convincingly if he pretends to be Norma. That's why he had the slightly devious grin at the very end. He's discovered a kind of superpower that will give him a great deal more freedom in the future. It's a subtle difference from your idea, but one that gives Norman a bit more evil intention, which I think is going to be important going forward.
I think Norma's death will be the climax of the series. Maybe not in the series finale, but not until the last season for sure.
posted by Rock Steady at 9:16 AM on May 8, 2014 [2 favorites]
Interesting. We took it to mean that Norman has figured out that he can lie convincingly if he pretends to be Norma. That's why he had the slightly devious grin at the very end.
Well, the "Mother" element of Norman may be devious and evil, but the non-delusional portion clearly felt genuine horror and remorse over Blair Watson. He's being portrayed so far as someone pretty consistent with Norma and Dylan's vision of him: a nice but unbelievably messed-up kid. It's interesting that, so far, Mother doesn't regard Norman's age-appropriate dates as threatening or predatory (though Norma obviously does). I hate the thought of what he's going to turn into, though it's probably not going to be precisely Tony Perkins in this universe.
All my fave parts of this season were Norma moments: her audition for the musical, telling off the city council, the sex talk she gave Emma.
posted by FelliniBlank at 9:56 AM on May 8, 2014 [2 favorites]
Well, the "Mother" element of Norman may be devious and evil, but the non-delusional portion clearly felt genuine horror and remorse over Blair Watson. He's being portrayed so far as someone pretty consistent with Norma and Dylan's vision of him: a nice but unbelievably messed-up kid. It's interesting that, so far, Mother doesn't regard Norman's age-appropriate dates as threatening or predatory (though Norma obviously does). I hate the thought of what he's going to turn into, though it's probably not going to be precisely Tony Perkins in this universe.
All my fave parts of this season were Norma moments: her audition for the musical, telling off the city council, the sex talk she gave Emma.
posted by FelliniBlank at 9:56 AM on May 8, 2014 [2 favorites]
Am I the only person who thought that the actress who played Cody looked like Freddie Highmore in goth drag? If I'm not crazy and it was intentional, I have no idea what that dynamic would have been meant to portray.
posted by doctornecessiter at 10:17 AM on May 8, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by doctornecessiter at 10:17 AM on May 8, 2014 [1 favorite]
Alright, we finally watched. A good season closer! Nice, efficient tying up of the story.
That kiss between Norma and Norman, arrrgh! The actors have done such a good job of walking juuuust this side of inappropriate with the physicality, uncomfortable but never quite obscene, but seeing a full-on kiss was as shocking as a punch to the gut.
posted by peachfuzz at 9:41 AM on May 12, 2014 [3 favorites]
That kiss between Norma and Norman, arrrgh! The actors have done such a good job of walking juuuust this side of inappropriate with the physicality, uncomfortable but never quite obscene, but seeing a full-on kiss was as shocking as a punch to the gut.
posted by peachfuzz at 9:41 AM on May 12, 2014 [3 favorites]
I've just binge-watched the first two seasons in five days. I'm really surprised there's not more discussion of this series on Fanfare. I see there's some discussion of the final two episodes of season four, but... that's at least another week away for me ;)
Season two is really strong compared to season one. I'm glad I stuck with it. The second half of season two is really the show I hoped it would be, while season one was the show I expected it to be - since I could never see how this was a show.
posted by crossoverman at 5:35 AM on July 12, 2016 [1 favorite]
Season two is really strong compared to season one. I'm glad I stuck with it. The second half of season two is really the show I hoped it would be, while season one was the show I expected it to be - since I could never see how this was a show.
posted by crossoverman at 5:35 AM on July 12, 2016 [1 favorite]
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posted by Rock Steady at 9:29 AM on May 7, 2014 [1 favorite]