“A boy’s best friend is his mother.”
That chilling line is getting new life in “Bates Motel,” which premiered March 18 on A&E. The new prequel to “Psycho” sheds light on the
creation of one of the most frightening minds ever brought to screen.
The sequels, “Psycho II,” “Psycho III” and “Psycho IV: The
Beginning,” as well as the 1987 spin-off and failed TV pilot “Bates Motel,”
have tried to continue Norman Bates’ story beyond his arrest, but not as artfully as Robert Bloch’s novels or Alfred Hitchcock’s direction. Even director Gus Van Sant (“Promised
Land”) made a heinous shot-for-shot color remake of the original in 1998. After
all these failed attempts at continuing Norman Bates’ life story, skepticism toward new works from “Psycho” fans is understandable.
Fortunately, the new “Bates Motel” is ignoring all other incarnations
of the Norman Bates story and focusing on Hitchcock’s masterpiece. Since
1960, audiences have sympathized with Anthony Perkins’ portrayal of the killer
as a tall, handsome and shy 20-something as he struggled against his
controlling mother.
Freddie Highmore (“The Art of Getting By”) isn’t just a
Perkins look-alike–he emulates the original Bates. Highmore’s performance as a
shy young man and devoted son is both sympathetic and disturbing. Quoting the
1943 adaptation of “Jane Eyre” – just as this series references the film
adaptation, not Robert Bloch’s 1959 novel – it’s clear Norman’s mother is the only person
who matters in his world.
Bringing Norma Bates, aka Mother, to life is Vera Farmiga
(“Safe House”). From the beginning, Norma manipulates her son’s devotion to her
advantage, shaming him for any independence, like making friends or getting
involved at school. Farmiga is
unnerving as the cool and calculating Mother, who gives directions for
disposing a body and destroying evidence without missing a beat.
Norma and Norman, in their codependency, are both clearly
uncomfortable with the idea of each other dating. Viewers get to see Norman
trying to figure out girls – and being chased by a couple. Norma, an attractive
widow, gets out of trouble by getting involved with the local deputy.
It’s refreshing to see this teenage normalcy in Norman’s
life. His struggles with his family make Norman all the more relatable and
sympathetic; it’s easy to forget that he eventually becomes a villain.
The strained relationship between mother and son already
goes deeper than plain jealousy. They will do anything to protect the other.
With the reappearance of Norma’s elder son, Dylan, in the Bates’ lives, their
“tea party” for two becomes plainer. In a fight between the brothers, Norman is
willing to kill Dylan for naming Norma’s phone contact “whore.” That kind of unswerving
devotion is disconcerting, especially considering the mother-son duo dumped a body together in the first episode.
What is especially impressive about this prequel is how
different it is from all other attempts to expand the Psycho-verse. White Pine
Bay has plenty of secrets and personal demons before the Bates family’s
arrival.
Hints of illicit activity and vigilante justice suggest the
Bates family’s new hometown, and its mysteries will dog the duo throughout the
season. Besides being an antagonist for the family to struggle with, the
intrigue of White Pine Bay add to the drama and give the series a chance to
portray the destruction of Norman’s psyche more gradually.
“Bates Motel”
is not for everyone, however — especially not the faint-hearted. In the first
two episodes alone, viewers have seen murder, rape, needles, burns and plenty
of blood. Also, the series is anachronistic; despite being a prequel to the
’60s film, the action takes place today. With characters owning iPhones and
laptops, audiences who were expecting to see the family’s life in the ’40s and
’50s may be disappointed.
This anachronistic approach, however, helps “Bates Motel”
break away from the strict chronology of the failed “Psycho” follow-ups. In
taking liberties with chronology, the series becomes all the more terrifying.
It’s not 1960. Instead, the creation of another Norman Bates could be happening
right now.
Watch Bates Motel online at aetv.com/bates-motel/ or on A&E’s
iPad app and catch new episodes Mondays at 9 p.m. on A&E.
