@@BryanLomax loved the show. Just finished it on Netflix now but really still would have preferred if it ended on a believable note where it led into psycho. Still an amazing show though. I seriously think Vera Farmiga would be a perfect Annie Wilkes if they ever decided to remake Misery.
22:45 Emma was lucky Norman ruined his chance at a relationship with her by saying that Norma didn't want them having sex or his Mother personality might have taken control and killed her out of jealousy.
Yeah I loved the sheriff to, he was an awesome character, wasn't sure about him at first, like you said Bryan, but overall he was a great and my favourite character.
Only finished watching this a few weeks ago and loved it, talk about character building, the 3 main characters are fantastic, Vera Farmiga is excellent and I love the way Norman just changes from nice to lunatic haha loved it mate, great review
Just started to rewatch the series after a- one or two-years break. One of my favorite series of all time! Vera Farmiga gave an amazing performance in it.
Think we have discussed “Psycho” a “few” times so I was pretty happy to see you post the review. :) One thing you touched on but I thought was nicely done by the series is the handling of “modern day”: while, yes, as you note, they understandably made adjustments to bring it into “the 21st Century” the trick there is...it’s almost arguable if it’s the current day or late 90’s or sometimes completely hazy at times because they make such a point of making much of the series feel like it exists in a void outside of time. While, yes, you will see cellphones or other things that obviously let you know it’s “modern days”, they balance it with styling choices that make it very easy to forget - and really not care - this isn’t the same era as the original movie. I hate using the word “timeless” - it’s cliche and often poorly used - but I’m struggling for a better one here as this series will hold long after the fads of when it was filmed have faded because it is its’ own little “Norman dimension”.
I already had the word 'timeless' in my head as I was reading that. But it is. And that's why this show will be as good 20 years from now as it is today.
I loved your review and insights! You articulated yourself really well and it was interesting how you tied the mental health aspect of the show into your own experiences. It gave me a new perspective to watch the show with. I was really hoping you’d touch on Caleb’s character! I think his is probably the most conflicting story line. For someone who has a lot of reprehensible traits, he seems to also be the most broken down. He respects boundaries as they’re placed, but you never know if it’s because he is kind and understanding or if he’s convinced everyone hates him and expects to be turned away. Not my favorite character, but he definitely has depth. I’m currently rewatching and there are so many things the writers did, whether purposefully or unintentionally, that foreshadowed things that happen later in the story. Small comments can be tied to large, overarching themes and it is truly brilliant.
Great review man, love the details you have about how it made you sympathize with you’re uncle. I had the same thought when watching it about my own uncle and how things are for him. Keep it up!
Wonderful, comprehensive review. I'm glad you enjoyed the remix of the story as much as I did. It's all very heartbreaking but strangely beautiful at the same time.
My heart broke for Norman in season 5. You can see his suffering with mental illness. As someone who has personal experience with a family member who was mentally ill before passing away, this series made me sad. I wouldn't call it psycho. There are people out here like Norman. In the end when he thanked his brother as he died in his arms, he knew it was finally over.
Could not disagree with any off that mate. I watched the first season when it came out. Loved it, then waited for it all to finish and powered through. No one I know has seen this despite me raving on about it. Nice to hear someone loved it as much as me.
3:01 It also does the opposite of what the 1960 film did. In that you think Marion's going to be the main character and live through it but she dies early on and Norman's the main character. But in the show they play on your expectation that she's going to die then surprise you by having her survive and leave the motel and Sam Loomis, who in the series is a womanising cheater be the one who dies in the shower. And Norman kills Sam as himself not as Mother which is another difference.
Ryan Hurst has been on The Walking Dead as Whisperer Beta the past 2 seasons and he is fantastically scary. Really enjoy his work, great character actor.
I gotta say, I value your opinion when it comes to film critique. You seem to know alot. With that said I'm definitely going to watch this series now. I'll come back to thus vid when I'm done. Stopped it right at spoilers.✌❤😁
I am currently thinking about rewatching the show. Bates Motel is the only series that I feel can actually compete with Black Sails in terms of character development, writing and acting. Love the show.
Love the show but the entire time I was kind of wondering who was running the motel bc sometimes Norma, Norman and Emma were not at the motel so…was it closed most of the time or were people just not checking in?
Hey Bryan yeah I love this series too as well as the film franchise. I agree the end of the fourth season really could have been a series ending. That last scene at the end of season 4 with Norman playing the piano felt like the perfect series finale
I'm still glad they did a fifth season though. If they hadn't, however, they could have spun it off into movies, which might have been even more awesome.
Bryan Lomax Movie Talk I’m glad they did a fifth season as well although I really missed Norma as a living character instead of a projection of Norman’s mind. I agree Freddie Highmore was phenomenal in the series.
Really good series overall, and Dylan was probably my favorite character along with the Sheriff. I think season (series) 5 isn't as good as the rest of it, it definitely misses Norma. And while emotionally I think the finale works, logically there's a LOT of mental logic hoops I have to go through for that final scene with Dylan and Norman to work. I think the ending is happy for Norman. He finally gets to be back with Norma, he never wanted really to live without her, and now he doesn't have to.
Amazing review as always! Couldn't agree more this is one of the best TV series I've ever watched! Probably my favorite horror TV show! Right above Hannibal and Dexter! (If its counts as horror and even with the less than stellar final season)
Never watched Dexter and once everyone started to complain about that final season I had no desire to get into it. First season of Hannibal was great. Not seen the other 2. But I heard it was cancelled before they could end it properly so I don't know if I want to continue with it.
@@BryanLomax i can understand about Dexter I've felt that way about certain stuff. I definitely recommend it though, the first 6 seasons are excellent tv imo but the final two seasons are definitely lackluster in comparison! I'm actually only halfway through with the final season of Hannibal but up to now it's brilliant. (Hoping it gets revived one day)
Great series review Bryan. Takes me back this. Love almost every character especially Norma. Vera Farmiga steals the show like you said. Amazing actress! My only niggle is that it may be one season too long but its still fantastic. Take it easy 👍
Highmore's acting on this show is beyond anything I've ever seen on television or in film. Bates Motel just ruined dramas for me. But the good thing about the show is that it's got so much depth and symbolism, you can watch it over and over, and finding new layers of meaning. Amazingly written, with otherworldly acting by Highmore. It's a miracle.
I’ve watched this show about 4 times. I’ve never seen any of the Psycho movies. I love the series so much. Vera Farmiga is an amazing actress and is the perfect Norma Bates. Freddie Highmore made a great Norman Bates but the last season I just hated him. Alex really loved Norma and I love the ending it’s very bitter sweet. If you’ve never seen the house at the end of the street it stars max Theriot and is a good movie.
Season 1 was the best 10/10 Season 2 good 9/10 Season 3 nice 8/10 Season 4 ok 7/10 Season 5, somewhat bad 5/5 As you can see each season was going down hill for me overall the acting was perfect from head to toe.
I know they are on bluray in the US but I personally haven't seen them here in the UK. I only have them on DVD, except Psycho II, which got a release through Arrow. Definitely worth picking up that one. The transfer is great and there are some really awesome special features on it too.
Haven't seen this in a while. I seen when it started lost track of it wish I didn't but when I heard it was final season and they're basically doing their version of psycho i was like finally and I had to see it. I like they didn't kill Marion especially her being played by rihanna. Ending was odd from what I remember sort of disappointing but also not. Great show from what I seen want to watch more of it.
I was very interested in getting the entire series, even after learning despite trying to avoid spoilers that Norma is dead for the entire final season, until a little when, while trying to find out how old Norman Bates was in Psycho, I had it spoiled for me that Norman dies in the series while Dylan lives. Ironically, during the moderated panel thing on the first season Blu-ray, which I bought nearly a year ago and only unsealed and watched within the past week, Freddy Highmore mentions the fact that he'll outlive everyone unless something is altered drastically from the Psycho story, and this is a change which is incredibly dumb. If this spoiled anything for you, as if a full series review is likely not to do so, fill in the blank yourself. As mentioned above, I was trying to avoid spoilers and was unable to do so due simply to the process of seeking out information on the series and the movie upon which it is based, and I suffer a hell every moment of every day, as I have for well over a decade, which makes me infinitely more worthy than any of you and means that I have infinitely less than zero obligation to anyone in any respect and that all, despite this world system allowing them to deny and dismiss it, with none of them being as I was before this began, concerning myself with the plight of others and going out of my way on their behalf, and therefore no one among the public does anything nor even cares about this never-ending and infinitely undeserved hell, are infinitely beholden to me.
@@damodavies9273 I really like it. But I may actually prefer the series over any of the movies, including Hitchcock's original, which is really saying something.
@@BryanLomax that is sacrilegious to put this over probably the greatest British film maker off all time. Did you watch Hitchcock in 2012 with Sir Anthony Hopkins and Dame Helen Mirren? Loved that movie.
i enjoyed the series but the one thing i just can’t stand. Is how much fucking crying Norma does. Like god dammm, every fucking episode the braud cries like atleast 2-3 times. She throws a huge fit and then cries.
Dude, it's its own thing. Seriously, one of the best TV shows ever. Season 4 is basically a retelling of the movie but it takes it to different places. I actually think, if you loved the movie, then this is required viewing.
In the beginning, I was intrigued and this series does have some really interesting and cool parts, but overall, as PSYCHO is my favorite film of all time, I think Bates Motel was like 90210 meets the Wish version of Twin Peaks. It was god-awful and a stain on the PSYCHO franchise. A teen drama with some violence, unnecessary multiple asinine subplots, too many pointless characters, and the overall feel and the changes (set in the modern era, Norman kills Sam instead of Marion Crane, Norman has a brother, etc.) were dreadful and a sacrilege to Hitchcock and the PSYCHO mythos. The only redeeming factor was the quality of the sets, Nestor Carbonell as the Sheriff and Vera Farmiga as Mother (although they should have made her more unhinged and less weak). I wish it had been made about Norman Bates' childhood and written by someone who knew how to do a biographical character study, like Vince Gilligan, and should've been set in the 1950s. I think it should've ended with Marion pulling into the Bates Motel. That would've been great for continuity and to build up nostalgia for the franchise again, but that's just my opinion. Although, Bates Motel series started strong, for me was like a 3 or 4 out of 10.
I'm here because I've just about finished watching all 5 seasons and honestly i think the whole thing is pretty lame. Boring. Not trying to hurt anyone's feelings, Im just stupefied this series gets so much praise. Nothing really surprised me. Writing was repetitive and not interesting. What character development? Ok the male leads become sensitive wusses later on, how original. Highlight for me was when Dylan got hit by the car. Sure Norman goes a bit wacko but that's expected. Idk. Overrated. Too many side stories that go nowhere just to fill the runtime so they can stretch it to 5 season. Could have veen an ok 1 season affair. The original Psycho is easily scarier. Call me crazy...
The mother isn't quite angry enough for Norma. She is made a bit too likable. She should obviously despise Norman at times and be vicious with her words. Rather than just seesawing between doting on him and being emotionally cold. The brother is a sociopath who shouldn't have much of a conscience. He has gone through his own turmoil so he should be more troubled. He'd be more sadistic, violent and verbally trying to tear Norman down. Being part of a crime gang is very appropriate. He is very smart and would notice what his mother is doing to his brother but his motivations for telling Norman would be more self serving. Such as jealous that he isn't currently the center of attention. He would be part of the reason for Norman's socialisation problems rather than trying to help him. He would bully and insult Norman's friends and even threatening to kill Norman for his choice in friends or girlfriends. He almost starts out like that but then he turns into a James Dean/Jason Bourne/mother Teresa character. The calling his mother a whore and being so angry/yellng at her is authentic for his character. Norma would be inappropriate with both of them and moreso with Dylan because his unstable emotions would appeal to her. He is better looking, more charming and higher sexual appeal. Dylan possesses qualities they have both tried to suppress in Norman to make him more maleable. Those changes would make the show more realistic and make it much clearer as to why he is so dysfunctional and mentally ill. It would give the show more depth and take the focus off Norman and Norma flirting which makes you want to curl into fetal position crying "No Norman nnooooo!" It was also ruined when he finally confronts his mother about how utterly horrible and cruel she was to him and her reaction is a total non-sequitur about her personal rights as a woman. Her new husband acts like he didn't hear what he'd said either. Why would it be so difficult to address the main theme of the show at this point? That being her crippling her son's chance of having a social life then ditching him for her own social life. I got to the last season and realised the brother, the most unbelievable character in the show next to his wife, was going to turn out to be the hero and gave up watching. Norman was brilliant and so true to the original character though.
All the characters on Bates Motel are made to be likable. They're just victims of circumstances. Did we really need another Ozark, where all the characters are hollow, corrupt and soulless, only pretending to be a family, but eventually, just pursuing their own goals? I certainly didn't. There are a thousand and one Ozarks being released; nothing special about that. Or Yellowstone, for that matter. Bates Motel had tremendous heart, soul,and vulnerable, relatable and realistic characters. Certainly far more than any other show I've watched. That's why it will remain unbeaten, as far thriller/dramas go.
@@eagal11 He has multiple personalities and a psychotic disorder, hence psycho. His life is based on Ed Gein. In the movie his portrayall of his mother is as a nasty and vicious woman. Which is a big part of why became psycho along with her deliberately isolating him. It is consistent with a large majority of serial killers. In the show everyone is nice and supportive of him. It's completely sick. HIs brother was presented as a sociopath which would be realistic but a few episodes later he is acting entirely selflessly like a saint. With no explanation at all why he had this complete 180 in his personality. HIs wife had a crush on Norman. She decides to take care of all the Bates' family responsibilities while they carry on drama for a tv show. All the while being critically ill and being at school full time. They are really going out of their way to show his family as being more than perfect people. You see likable and realistic. I see a rewriting of the story in a terrible way. This puts most of the reason Norman is Psycho onto him. Everyone around him are nice and together people. People don't just spontaneously turn that crazy. His family would be far more responsible than is shown. So it is really judgemnental and stigmatising toward Norman the mentally ill person. As though it is really his fault he is crazy. The movie went the other way recognising his unfortunate situation and is sympathetic to his mental state. Everyone in the end starts looking at Norman the mentally ill person as a monster and his family as divine incarnations of angels who are completely guiltless. Precisely because they tried to make them so likeable and rewrite their contribution to Norman's mental state. In that sense it could be described as a hate speech. Then make the brother who is a sociopathic criminal, drug user/dealer, gang menber, killer, violent bully the hero of the show. Presenting him as some kind of mother teresa/angel. When in reality he was Jealous of his brother for simply existing and would have bullied him to the brink of insanity and remorselessly finished with a hard shove over the edge. They began his character that way but then backed right off. So the writers knew what to do but decided against it. Making the show a complete joke. Really the show should have ended with the brother impaled on a spike. To have closure on their relationship with some cosnic justice. Norman was beaten into submission by his family. By his brother's sadistic nature and his mothers strict and vicious nature. He was physically weak and passive. Never aggressive. He tries to make himself as non-hostile as possible from infancy as his only defense to not draw attention or set off his older and more physically and mentally stronger family. That cements itself in early childhood as his entire personality. Since he is so isolated it never really clicks that his life is not normal. He isn't able to put together that his asshole family doesn't love him and he should just ditch them. His acts of violence come out unconscriously because as a constant target for his family's abuse he was never afforded an outlet for his own pent up anger. It has to come out at some point. His brother bullying him throughout his life doesn't make him brave or heroic or any way likable. It makes him shit. Since he is unaware of his actions he is legally not responsible for his murders. Therefore he cannot be portrayed as the monster. His family otoh were well aware of what they were doing. Even if he did intentionally kill his mother who could blame him? She was a total bitch. There are a lot of mitigating circumstances. That was the conclusion of the movie. That is the real story. Sure you could make his family somewhat sociably likable in public. Behind closed doors they are the monsters. Evil usually has two faces. Norman's portrayall was brilliant otherwise. Shame they butchered the story. Also pinch his wife's oxygen tube early in the show for being a completely fake character.
@@MortifiedPlatypusBates Motel is a complete reimagining of the Psycho origin story, which makes it all the better for it. I do think you're misrepresenting the show. I'vewatched it over 40 times. There are no mistakes in either script or characterization for any of the characters. Try to revisit Bates Motel sometimes; there is a reason why it's a viewed as an all-time great by everyone, critics included. I also fail to see how Dylan is a sociopath. He begins the show as an outcast to the Bates family. To Norma at the beginning of the show, he's just a reincarnation of her dead husband. But with each season, the characters grow closer. Dylan still has to remain fairly remote to the central mother/son relationship to allow the show to progress as it does. The only true villain of the piece is Sam Bates. He is the one who sets things in motion for this tragic story.
@@eagal11 All you did was say that I was wrong. Not addressing how any of my points were wrong. Look up the symptons of antisocial personality disorder (sociopath) before commenting. His brother fits all the qualifications for a sociopath.
It would of been so satisfying to see his brother unalived at the hands of Norman. I would of watched it to the end for that. On the bright side I did get to see it happen to his mother. Oh well you win some you lose some.
I always thought it was crazy how this show got snubbed at awards shows. Idk why vera didn't at least get nominated...
She did get a Emmy nom
Vera and Freddy really deserve more recognition for this show.
You're not wrong!
Just finished the series today, thought it was amazing
Such a perfect end to the show. I love that it ended in its prime instead of getting dragged out for another 5 to 10 years.
@@BryanLomax loved the show. Just finished it on Netflix now but really still would have preferred if it ended on a believable note where it led into psycho. Still an amazing show though. I seriously think Vera Farmiga would be a perfect Annie Wilkes if they ever decided to remake Misery.
Absolutely loved the series. Some of the best writing and character development in a tv show; especially one based off an existing horror franchise.
Absolutely!
Absolutely loved the series. Some of the best writing and character development in a tv show; especially one based off an existing horror franchise.
22:45 Emma was lucky Norman ruined his chance at a relationship with her by saying that Norma didn't want them having sex or his Mother personality might have taken control and killed her out of jealousy.
That is very true
That's what Norman says, but really it means that his imaginary Norma will kill girlfriend. Real Norma does not kill girlfriends
Yeah I loved the sheriff to, he was an awesome character, wasn't sure about him at first, like you said Bryan, but overall he was a great and my favourite character.
Only finished watching this a few weeks ago and loved it, talk about character building, the 3 main characters are fantastic, Vera Farmiga is excellent and I love the way Norman just changes from nice to lunatic haha loved it mate, great review
Just started to rewatch the series after a- one or two-years break. One of my favorite series of all time! Vera Farmiga gave an amazing performance in it.
Probably my favourite TV series of all time...
Understandable.
Think we have discussed “Psycho” a “few” times so I was pretty happy to see you post the review. :) One thing you touched on but I thought was nicely done by the series is the handling of “modern day”: while, yes, as you note, they understandably made adjustments to bring it into “the 21st Century” the trick there is...it’s almost arguable if it’s the current day or late 90’s or sometimes completely hazy at times because they make such a point of making much of the series feel like it exists in a void outside of time. While, yes, you will see cellphones or other things that obviously let you know it’s “modern days”, they balance it with styling choices that make it very easy to forget - and really not care - this isn’t the same era as the original movie. I hate using the word “timeless” - it’s cliche and often poorly used - but I’m struggling for a better one here as this series will hold long after the fads of when it was filmed have faded because it is its’ own little “Norman dimension”.
I already had the word 'timeless' in my head as I was reading that. But it is. And that's why this show will be as good 20 years from now as it is today.
i cried at the finale.. im never sure why im crying at this episodes
The title of the pilot, "First you dream, then you die" prefectly described the final episode of the series.
I loved your review and insights! You articulated yourself really well and it was interesting how you tied the mental health aspect of the show into your own experiences. It gave me a new perspective to watch the show with. I was really hoping you’d touch on Caleb’s character! I think his is probably the most conflicting story line. For someone who has a lot of reprehensible traits, he seems to also be the most broken down. He respects boundaries as they’re placed, but you never know if it’s because he is kind and understanding or if he’s convinced everyone hates him and expects to be turned away. Not my favorite character, but he definitely has depth. I’m currently rewatching and there are so many things the writers did, whether purposefully or unintentionally, that foreshadowed things that happen later in the story. Small comments can be tied to large, overarching themes and it is truly brilliant.
Great review man, love the details you have about how it made you sympathize with you’re uncle. I had the same thought when watching it about my own uncle and how things are for him. Keep it up!
Wonderful, comprehensive review. I'm glad you enjoyed the remix of the story as much as I did. It's all very heartbreaking but strangely beautiful at the same time.
It's truly one of the best, most satisfying TV shows I've ever seen. And unlike so many TV shows, they didn't cock up the ending!
Started watching the series last week. Very addictive and will be finished soon. Going to be sad when it's over
My heart broke for Norman in season 5. You can see his suffering with mental illness. As someone who has personal experience with a family member who was mentally ill before passing away, this series made me sad. I wouldn't call it psycho. There are people out here like Norman. In the end when he thanked his brother as he died in his arms, he knew it was finally over.
Bates Motel is one of my favorite TV shows!
Could not disagree with any off that mate. I watched the first season when it came out. Loved it, then waited for it all to finish and powered through. No one I know has seen this despite me raving on about it. Nice to hear someone loved it as much as me.
Yeah, I try to get everyone to watch it.
Me: I have not seen an of the physco films
Bryan : U have crossed the line
This show was amazing!!! Wow idk how I never seen this until this year.
3:01 It also does the opposite of what the 1960 film did. In that you think Marion's going to be the main character and live through it but she dies early on and Norman's the main character. But in the show they play on your expectation that she's going to die then surprise you by having her survive and leave the motel and Sam Loomis, who in the series is a womanising cheater be the one who dies in the shower. And Norman kills Sam as himself not as Mother which is another difference.
This show is absolutely brilliant, also one of my all time favorites! I was never a fan of the films, but this show is amazing!🖤
Here's my ranking of all 5 seasons Bates motel.
5. Season 4
4. Season 3
3. Season 5
2. Season 1
1. Season 2
Ryan Hurst has been on The Walking Dead as Whisperer Beta the past 2 seasons and he is fantastically scary. Really enjoy his work, great character actor.
I love TWD and Bates Motel! Beta and Chick! He always plays a standout & unique character!
I finished Bates Motel tonight ! Truely suspenseful
Such a great show!
I gotta say, I value your opinion when it comes to film critique. You seem to know alot. With that said I'm definitely going to watch this series now. I'll come back to thus vid when I'm done. Stopped it right at spoilers.✌❤😁
Please do! It's awesome!
I finished the show today and I loved it, Freddie Highmore is such a great actor!!
I am currently thinking about rewatching the show. Bates Motel is the only series that I feel can actually compete with Black Sails in terms of character development, writing and acting. Love the show.
I love this show, my top 5 in no particular order Breaking Bad,Better Call Saul, the Soprano’s, Ray Donovan and love love love Bated Motel
YEEEEEES!!!...Bryan, I was waiting to hear your thoughts on this show, Great vid.
Love the show but the entire time I was kind of wondering who was running the motel bc sometimes Norma, Norman and Emma were not at the motel so…was it closed most of the time or were people just not checking in?
🤣 I thought the same.
Hey Bryan yeah I love this series too as well as the film franchise. I agree the end of the fourth season really could have been a series ending. That last scene at the end of season 4 with Norman playing the piano felt like the perfect series finale
I'm still glad they did a fifth season though. If they hadn't, however, they could have spun it off into movies, which might have been even more awesome.
Bryan Lomax Movie Talk I’m glad they did a fifth season as well although I really missed Norma as a living character instead of a projection of Norman’s mind. I agree Freddie Highmore was phenomenal in the series.
Absolutely Brilliant acting Norman and Norma omg 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾
Some one says the texas chainsaw franchise is better than physco
Bryan: U have crossed the line
Really good series overall, and Dylan was probably my favorite character along with the Sheriff. I think season (series) 5 isn't as good as the rest of it, it definitely misses Norma. And while emotionally I think the finale works, logically there's a LOT of mental logic hoops I have to go through for that final scene with Dylan and Norman to work.
I think the ending is happy for Norman. He finally gets to be back with Norma, he never wanted really to live without her, and now he doesn't have to.
Watch the spoilers dude
same
Totally agree with you bryan not only do I like the series more than the movies but it's my favourite tv show great acting from freddie and vera!
It really is! I wish more TV shows had the guts to end properly while they are still in their prime instead of being flogged like a dead horse.
Amazing review as always! Couldn't agree more this is one of the best TV series I've ever watched! Probably my favorite horror TV show! Right above Hannibal and Dexter! (If its counts as horror and even with the less than stellar final season)
Never watched Dexter and once everyone started to complain about that final season I had no desire to get into it. First season of Hannibal was great. Not seen the other 2. But I heard it was cancelled before they could end it properly so I don't know if I want to continue with it.
@@BryanLomax i can understand about Dexter I've felt that way about certain stuff. I definitely recommend it though, the first 6 seasons are excellent tv imo but the final two seasons are definitely lackluster in comparison! I'm actually only halfway through with the final season of Hannibal but up to now it's brilliant. (Hoping it gets revived one day)
Great series review Bryan. Takes me back this. Love almost every character especially Norma. Vera Farmiga steals the show like you said. Amazing actress! My only niggle is that it may be one season too long but its still fantastic. Take it easy 👍
First time ever a series ends with my 2 of my fav characters coming together and surviving till the end.
Romero and Dylan were definitely my favorites! This show was amazing! Romero deserve justice, tho!
Highmore's acting on this show is beyond anything I've ever seen on television or in film. Bates Motel just ruined dramas for me. But the good thing about the show is that it's got so much depth and symbolism, you can watch it over and over, and finding new layers of meaning. Amazingly written, with otherworldly acting by Highmore. It's a miracle.
It's a great show!
@@BryanLomax Thank you for such an honest and poignant review! I've shared it on other sites as well.
I’ve watched this show about 4 times. I’ve never seen any of the Psycho movies. I love the series so much. Vera Farmiga is an amazing actress and is the perfect Norma Bates. Freddie Highmore made a great Norman Bates but the last season I just hated him. Alex really loved Norma and I love the ending it’s very bitter sweet. If you’ve never seen the house at the end of the street it stars max Theriot and is a good movie.
Amazing series. Norma was my favorite but the acting was superb. Norma and norman were amazing. Must watch if you haven't seen it
How would you rank the Bates Motel seasons? From worst to best?
Season 1 was the best 10/10
Season 2 good 9/10
Season 3 nice 8/10
Season 4 ok 7/10
Season 5, somewhat bad 5/5
As you can see each season was going down hill for me overall the acting was perfect from head to toe.
You forgot to mention Grammy Award winner singer an actress Rihanna as Marion Crane. In my opinion she was a good casting of the role in season 5!
Loved it! Finished it a while ago and you hit the nail on the head. Are you watching NOS4A2? Second season starts soon and I loved the 1st season.
Can't say I've heard of that one to be honest. What's that on?
Bryan Lomax Movie Talk Over here in America, it’s on AMC, Hulu, Amazon Prime, youtube, maybe a couple other platforms.
season 4 is the ending. loved the show, Vera fan forever now.
Its just awesome
Bit random but do you know what Psycho sequels are on Blu-ray? Great video as always Bryan ! 👍
I bought the complete collection on blu ray. Check for it on amazon. Psycho complete collection blu ray
I know they are on bluray in the US but I personally haven't seen them here in the UK. I only have them on DVD, except Psycho II, which got a release through Arrow. Definitely worth picking up that one. The transfer is great and there are some really awesome special features on it too.
@@BryanLomax Ok thank you. I live in the UK and own the first movie in a box set but will certainly buy Psycho II on Arrow form. 👍
I love it. I absolutely love it. Just amazing.
Haven't seen this in a while. I seen when it started lost track of it wish I didn't but when I heard it was final season and they're basically doing their version of psycho i was like finally and I had to see it. I like they didn't kill Marion especially her being played by rihanna. Ending was odd from what I remember sort of disappointing but also not. Great show from what I seen want to watch more of it.
They never found Bradley’s body or am I wrong ?
For some reason I feel like they did but now I'm not so sure. Dammit! Gonna have to watch it all again now. 😂
Bryan Lomax Movie Talk lol they also never talked ab the doctor Norman was seeing I was interested to see if he killed him.
Never got to watch it, anyone know where I still can watch bates motel?
I just bought it on bluray. Well worth it. Trust me.
I know it's on amazon prime and it was on Netflix. I'm not sure if it is still on Netflix but deffo on amazon because I am watching it on there.
תודה!
Thank you kindly!
It is on amazon prime
The 2 best horror TV series in the last few years are Hannibal and Bates Motel.
I still need to watch the rest of Hannibal. Only seen 1st season.
@@BryanLomax IMO the 2nd season is the best of the 3.
I totally agree.
Chick is clone of a spanish actor Santiago Segura :)
Baits Motel is Awesome!!!
It sure is!
I was very interested in getting the entire series, even after learning despite trying to avoid spoilers that Norma is dead for the entire final season, until a little when, while trying to find out how old Norman Bates was in Psycho, I had it spoiled for me that Norman dies in the series while Dylan lives. Ironically, during the moderated panel thing on the first season Blu-ray, which I bought nearly a year ago and only unsealed and watched within the past week, Freddy Highmore mentions the fact that he'll outlive everyone unless something is altered drastically from the Psycho story, and this is a change which is incredibly dumb.
If this spoiled anything for you, as if a full series review is likely not to do so, fill in the blank yourself. As mentioned above, I was trying to avoid spoilers and was unable to do so due simply to the process of seeking out information on the series and the movie upon which it is based, and I suffer a hell every moment of every day, as I have for well over a decade, which makes me infinitely more worthy than any of you and means that I have infinitely less than zero obligation to anyone in any respect and that all, despite this world system allowing them to deny and dismiss it, with none of them being as I was before this began, concerning myself with the plight of others and going out of my way on their behalf, and therefore no one among the public does anything nor even cares about this never-ending and infinitely undeserved hell, are infinitely beholden to me.
i prefer psycho 4 to be honest :)
Noooooooooooooooooo!!!
GET OUT!
Just kidding.
But seriously, just go!
@@BryanLomax Psycho 4 is amazing and you know it :) #justthefacts
@@damodavies9273 I really like it. But I may actually prefer the series over any of the movies, including Hitchcock's original, which is really saying something.
@@BryanLomax that is sacrilegious to put this over probably the greatest British film maker off all time. Did you watch Hitchcock in 2012 with Sir Anthony Hopkins and Dame Helen Mirren? Loved that movie.
i enjoyed the series but the one thing i just can’t stand. Is how much fucking crying Norma does. Like god dammm, every fucking episode the braud cries like atleast 2-3 times. She throws a huge fit and then cries.
Bryan talking about this me this is a thing
??????
@@BryanLomax I didnt know this existed
@@gavinlikesmovies9444 aaaahhh, gotcha! Well now you do so go watch it dude, asap!
@@BryanLomax Ngl havent even seen the original physco
@@gavinlikesmovies9444 well get on that!
Rank the saw franchise it would be very interesting
who do you think is the hottest girl on Bates Motel....my pick would be either Emma seasons 1 - 5, or,
Madeline in season 5!
Norma for me. I know, she's crazy, but what can I say! 😁
@@BryanLomax I can see that, she is hot!
I dont think I really want to see this series because pyscho is a classic and I dont want to see a prequel
Dude, it's its own thing. Seriously, one of the best TV shows ever. Season 4 is basically a retelling of the movie but it takes it to different places. I actually think, if you loved the movie, then this is required viewing.
@@BryanLomax ok I might consider doing so but I am only 13 lol 🤣
Just came here from robot chicken idk what to think
🤣
I am sorry, did you just do a review of Bates Motel without ever mentioning Vera Farmiga? Wow! Your blind spot is the size of Jupiter.
I'm sorry, did you not pay attention to the part where I said "Vera Farmiga steals the show". Might want to check your own blindspot there pal!
@@BryanLomax I am sorry [not sarcastically this time]. Listened again, you are right, you did mention her. I stupidly overreacted.
In the beginning, I was intrigued and this series does have some really interesting and cool parts, but overall, as PSYCHO is my favorite film of all time, I think Bates Motel was like 90210 meets the Wish version of Twin Peaks. It was god-awful and a stain on the PSYCHO franchise. A teen drama with some violence, unnecessary multiple asinine subplots, too many pointless characters, and the overall feel and the changes (set in the modern era, Norman kills Sam instead of Marion Crane, Norman has a brother, etc.) were dreadful and a sacrilege to Hitchcock and the PSYCHO mythos. The only redeeming factor was the quality of the sets, Nestor Carbonell as the Sheriff and Vera Farmiga as Mother (although they should have made her more unhinged and less weak). I wish it had been made about Norman Bates' childhood and written by someone who knew how to do a biographical character study, like Vince Gilligan, and should've been set in the 1950s. I think it should've ended with Marion pulling into the Bates Motel. That would've been great for continuity and to build up nostalgia for the franchise again, but that's just my opinion.
Although, Bates Motel series started strong, for me was like a 3 or 4 out of 10.
I love the show but I hate Norman .. the cop and Dylan and mother was the best ..
Whaaa? No way! I love Norman. Really felt sorry for him.
@@BryanLomax don’t get me wrong his acting was perfect but Norman as ah whole he was very sick I wasn’t feeling him towards season 5
Get Cody leach to watch man😭🤦🏼♂️
I'm here because I've just about finished watching all 5 seasons and honestly i think the whole thing is pretty lame. Boring. Not trying to hurt anyone's feelings, Im just stupefied this series gets so much praise. Nothing really surprised me. Writing was repetitive and not interesting. What character development? Ok the male leads become sensitive wusses later on, how original. Highlight for me was when Dylan got hit by the car. Sure Norman goes a bit wacko but that's expected. Idk. Overrated. Too many side stories that go nowhere just to fill the runtime so they can stretch it to 5 season. Could have veen an ok 1 season affair. The original Psycho is easily scarier. Call me crazy...
The mother isn't quite angry enough for Norma. She is made a bit too likable. She should obviously despise Norman at times and be vicious with her words. Rather than just seesawing between doting on him and being emotionally cold.
The brother is a sociopath who shouldn't have much of a conscience. He has gone through his own turmoil so he should be more troubled. He'd be more sadistic, violent and verbally trying to tear Norman down. Being part of a crime gang is very appropriate. He is very smart and would notice what his mother is doing to his brother but his motivations for telling Norman would be more self serving. Such as jealous that he isn't currently the center of attention. He would be part of the reason for Norman's socialisation problems rather than trying to help him. He would bully and insult Norman's friends and even threatening to kill Norman for his choice in friends or girlfriends.
He almost starts out like that but then he turns into a James Dean/Jason Bourne/mother Teresa character. The calling his mother a whore and being so angry/yellng at her is authentic for his character. Norma would be inappropriate with both of them and moreso with Dylan because his unstable emotions would appeal to her. He is better looking, more charming and higher sexual appeal. Dylan possesses qualities they have both tried to suppress in Norman to make him more maleable.
Those changes would make the show more realistic and make it much clearer as to why he is so dysfunctional and mentally ill. It would give the show more depth and take the focus off Norman and Norma flirting which makes you want to curl into fetal position crying "No Norman nnooooo!"
It was also ruined when he finally confronts his mother about how utterly horrible and cruel she was to him and her reaction is a total non-sequitur about her personal rights as a woman. Her new husband acts like he didn't hear what he'd said either. Why would it be so difficult to address the main theme of the show at this point? That being her crippling her son's chance of having a social life then ditching him for her own social life.
I got to the last season and realised the brother, the most unbelievable character in the show next to his wife, was going to turn out to be the hero and gave up watching. Norman was brilliant and so true to the original character though.
All the characters on Bates Motel are made to be likable. They're just victims of circumstances. Did we really need another Ozark, where all the characters are hollow, corrupt and soulless, only pretending to be a family, but eventually, just pursuing their own goals? I certainly didn't. There are a thousand and one Ozarks being released; nothing special about that. Or Yellowstone, for that matter.
Bates Motel had tremendous heart, soul,and vulnerable, relatable and realistic characters. Certainly far more than any other show I've watched. That's why it will remain unbeaten, as far thriller/dramas go.
@@eagal11 He has multiple personalities and a psychotic disorder, hence psycho. His life is based on Ed Gein. In the movie his portrayall of his mother is as a nasty and vicious woman. Which is a big part of why became psycho along with her deliberately isolating him. It is consistent with a large majority of serial killers. In the show everyone is nice and supportive of him. It's completely sick.
HIs brother was presented as a sociopath which would be realistic but a few episodes later he is acting entirely selflessly like a saint. With no explanation at all why he had this complete 180 in his personality.
HIs wife had a crush on Norman. She decides to take care of all the Bates' family responsibilities while they carry on drama for a tv show. All the while being critically ill and being at school full time. They are really going out of their way to show his family as being more than perfect people.
You see likable and realistic. I see a rewriting of the story in a terrible way. This puts most of the reason Norman is Psycho onto him. Everyone around him are nice and together people. People don't just spontaneously turn that crazy. His family would be far more responsible than is shown. So it is really judgemnental and stigmatising toward Norman the mentally ill person. As though it is really his fault he is crazy. The movie went the other way recognising his unfortunate situation and is sympathetic to his mental state.
Everyone in the end starts looking at Norman the mentally ill person as a monster and his family as divine incarnations of angels who are completely guiltless. Precisely because they tried to make them so likeable and rewrite their contribution to Norman's mental state. In that sense it could be described as a hate speech.
Then make the brother who is a sociopathic criminal, drug user/dealer, gang menber, killer, violent bully the hero of the show. Presenting him as some kind of mother teresa/angel. When in reality he was Jealous of his brother for simply existing and would have bullied him to the brink of insanity and remorselessly finished with a hard shove over the edge. They began his character that way but then backed right off. So the writers knew what to do but decided against it. Making the show a complete joke. Really the show should have ended with the brother impaled on a spike. To have closure on their relationship with some cosnic justice.
Norman was beaten into submission by his family. By his brother's sadistic nature and his mothers strict and vicious nature. He was physically weak and passive. Never aggressive. He tries to make himself as non-hostile as possible from infancy as his only defense to not draw attention or set off his older and more physically and mentally stronger family. That cements itself in early childhood as his entire personality.
Since he is so isolated it never really clicks that his life is not normal. He isn't able to put together that his asshole family doesn't love him and he should just ditch them.
His acts of violence come out unconscriously because as a constant target for his family's abuse he was never afforded an outlet for his own pent up anger. It has to come out at some point. His brother bullying him throughout his life doesn't make him brave or heroic or any way likable. It makes him shit.
Since he is unaware of his actions he is legally not responsible for his murders. Therefore he cannot be portrayed as the monster. His family otoh were well aware of what they were doing. Even if he did intentionally kill his mother who could blame him? She was a total bitch. There are a lot of mitigating circumstances. That was the conclusion of the movie.
That is the real story.
Sure you could make his family somewhat sociably likable in public. Behind closed doors they are the monsters. Evil usually has two faces.
Norman's portrayall was brilliant otherwise. Shame they butchered the story.
Also pinch his wife's oxygen tube early in the show for being a completely fake character.
@@MortifiedPlatypusBates Motel is a complete reimagining of the Psycho origin story, which makes it all the better for it. I do think you're misrepresenting the show. I'vewatched it over 40 times. There are no mistakes in either script or characterization for any of the characters.
Try to revisit Bates Motel sometimes; there is a reason why it's a viewed as an all-time great by everyone, critics included.
I also fail to see how Dylan is a sociopath. He begins the show as an outcast to the Bates family. To Norma at the beginning of the show, he's just a reincarnation of her dead husband.
But with each season, the characters grow closer. Dylan still has to remain fairly remote to the central mother/son relationship to allow the show to progress as it does.
The only true villain of the piece is Sam Bates. He is the one who sets things in motion for this tragic story.
@@eagal11 All you did was say that I was wrong. Not addressing how any of my points were wrong.
Look up the symptons of antisocial personality disorder (sociopath) before commenting. His brother fits all the qualifications for a sociopath.
It would of been so satisfying to see his brother unalived at the hands of Norman. I would of watched it to the end for that. On the bright side I did get to see it happen to his mother. Oh well you win some you lose some.
i watched only a little bit of this show, i liked it but then it got boring
@@iloveanimals1234 season 4 and 5 are dynamite!
Stupid series reused material constantly replaying it and the whole series though good is let down by overuse of old material