Bates Motel : It's Not a Living Hell

The week has gone by so fast and I've organized myself. Practicing music right after stepping off the bus ...

Aired: 2013 A&E
9 Episodes
approx. 45 mins each
Psychological Drama

Meet Norma and Norman Bates, a family that sticks together tighter than a chokehold. Enter Dylan Massett, the product of Norma's past marriage and high school life.

I have not read Bloch's novel, Psycho, but I have seen Hitchcock's 1960 film. It didn't meet my expectations as a first-timer in horror movies, but there are original elements that made the movie iconic, like Janet Leigh's shower scene. Does A&E's series truly feel like a prequel?

The premise definitely sets off the viewer's impression of the show. Whether you hate it or love it, there will be a character whom you will partake to. With the simple tale of a new life as a green wall, the Bates' tight-knit bond gradually breaks apart, and Norman's rate of character development emphasizes that the boy was not raised on a normal childhood.  Who else isn't exactly "normal?" Norma Bates' hot-tempered attachment to her son(s) is a display of the struggles of parenting, as well as the accumulation of stress from a pile of lies. Each character has a relevant struggle from a popular pretty to marijuana trimmers.

The only fandom I'm signed up for
Gunner x Emma

Enrolled as a 17-year-old high school student, Norman shows his motherly spirit in the middle of the season (unless I blanked out during the night scenes). An infamous characteristic from Psycho, the viewer pays more attention to clueless, starry-eyed Norman Bates as he navigates a small-town life.

  But who appears first on the Opening Credits? Vera Farmiga as Norma Bates. A scream queen and 

a woman who's sexy when she's sassing, Norma is the biggest influence of Norman Bates. Almost like Carrie White's religious mum, Norma has disclosed sex, girls, and death from her son all those years. Should she have been the center of the series? It seems tempting, but her youthful son is the one who's being psychologically impaled here!

It ain't pretty when Mrs. Bates sobs, though.. 

Tad shaky camerawork. Many predictable moments along the way, but

there are some sunshiney moments to make you purse your lips or smile like the Cheshire Cat.

Oh, and a handsome cast.

I recall him from a movie..

The earlier question: Does A&E's series truly serve as Psycho's prequel?

It seems that the show may outpace itself. After three days, a man who knows all enters the scene?

And three days have passed from Eps 1-7ish?

The series hasn't reached its peak of insanity at this time, but that's what everyone's waiting for, right?

grade? 6.8

Highmore struggles with his voice a couple times. Hiding an accent... oh, BOY!