Bates Motel (season 2)

Bates Motel (season 2)

Promotional poster with the tagline
"Blood is Thicker."
Country of origin United States
No. of episodes 10
Broadcast
Original channel A&E
Original run March 3, 2014 – May 5, 2014
Home video release

DVD release

Region 1 October 7, 2014[1]
Region 2 October 13, 2014[2]

Blu-ray Disc release

Region A October 7, 2014[3]
Region B October 13, 2014[4]

The second season of Bates Motel consisted of 10 episodes and premiered on A&E on March 3, 2014. The season concluded on May 5, 2014.[5] The series itself is described as a "contemporary prequel" to the 1960 film Psycho and follows the life of Norman Bates and his mother Norma prior to the events portrayed in the Hitchcock film.[6] The series takes place in the fictional town of White Pine Bay, Oregon. The season received positive reviews from television critics,[7] and the premiere episode drew in a total of 3.07 million viewers.[8]

For her performance as Norma Louise Bates in the second season, Vera Farmiga received nominations for the 2014 Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series, the 2014 Satellite Award for Best Actress – Television Series Drama, and the 2014 Saturn Award for Best Actress on Television.[9] Freddie Highmore was nominated for the 2014 Satellite Award for Best Actor – Television Series Drama for his performance as Norman Bates.[10]

Plot

The second season follows the aftermath of the various events in the first season, including the mystery of the death of Norman Bates' (Freddie Highmore) teacher Miss Watson (Keegan Connor Tracy) and startling revelations about her past. Meanwhile, Norman's mother Norma (Vera Farmiga) struggles to keep the motel open with a bypass threatening to open just miles away, while his older half-brother Dylan (Max Thieriot) deals with a disturbing discovery about his true parentage.

Cast and characters

Main cast

Vera Farmiga, Freddie Highmore and Nestor Carbonell (left to right) portray leading roles Norma Louise Bates, Norman Bates and Sheriff Alex Romero, respectively.

Recurring cast

Guest cast

Episodes

No. in
series		 No. in
season		 Title Directed by Written by Original air date Production
code		 U.S. viewers
(millions)
111"Gone But Not Forgotten"Tucker GatesCarlton Cuse & Kerry EhrinMarch 3, 2014BATE02013.07[11]
The episode opens four months after the events of the first season, by which time the Bates Motel has become a hot spot for vacationers. Norma is worried about Norman, who spends his time practicing taxidermy and obsessing over Miss Watson and her unsolved murder, including frequent visits to her grave. After Blair Watson's funeral, a depressed Bradley had attempted suicide. On a visit to the graveyard Norman sees an older man at Miss Watson's grave and takes a photo of him assuming he could be Miss Watson's killer. He shows the photo to Sheriff Romero, who takes the opportunity to ask Norman about his whereabouts on the night of her killing. When Norman offers to email him the photo, he shows no interest. The success of the motel is in jeopardy when construction of the new bypass begins. Dylan learns that Bradley's father was cheating with Miss Watson, and that Gil, her boyfriend, likely killed him when he discovered their affair. Dylan tells this to Bradley, who then murders Gil and sneaks into Norman's house, asking for his help.
122"Shadow of a Doubt"Tucker GatesKerry EhrinMarch 10, 2014BATE02022.21[12]
Norman hides Bradley in the Motel's basement where she confesses to Gil's killing. Sheriff Romero meets the older man at the graveyard. He turns out to be Nick Ford, Miss Watson's father and the head of a drug family. Ford assures Romero that his family has nothing to do with Gil's murder. Zane Morgan, Remo and Dylan's new drug boss, suspects an opposing drug family of having killed Gil. A stoner named Kyle is arrested after his semen is found in Miss Watson, but there is also another unidentified semen sample. To bond with Norman, Norma signs them up for the community musical. A problem arises as, at the same time Norman is supposed to be driving Bradley to a bus stop to flee town, he now has to be at a rehearsal. Norman therefore has Dylan take her instead. A man comes looking for the Bates Motel, revealing that he is Norma's brother, Caleb.
133"Caleb"Lodge KerriganAlexandra CunninghamMarch 17, 2014BATE02031.84[13]
Caleb arrives at the motel, but Norma immediately throws him out. Caleb bonds with Dylan and says he helped protect Norma from their abusive father. Norma becomes friends with Christine, the former director of the community musical, and also meets Christine's brother, George. Norman makes a new friend, Cody Brennan. Dylan defends Caleb to Norma, but she claims he repeatedly raped her for years during their childhood. The discussion escalates into a fight between Norman and Dylan until Norma intervenes by ultimately revealing that Caleb is Dylan's father.
144"Check-Out"John David ColesLiz TigelaarMarch 24, 2014BATE02042.23[14]
Norma's revelation deeply affects Dylan and herself. Angry, hurt and broken, Dylan leaves the house after accusing Norma of using his conception to get away from her family and marry young to her high school boyfriend, making him think Dylan was his child. Dylan's assumption turns out to be true. Norman's imagining of his mother's rape by Caleb puts him in a blank trance and leads him to Caleb's motel room. His fractured psyche causes him to lash out at Caleb in Norma's persona. Caleb hits Norman and leaves the motel room. Cody picks up Norman, who finally comes out of his trance, but does not remember anything
155"The Escape Artist"Christopher NelsonNikki ToscanoMarch 31, 2014BATE02052.27[15]
Norman admits to Cody about having had similar blackouts in the past. She takes Norman to her secret tree house, where they have sex. Sheriff Romero takes up residence at the motel after Zane has his house burned down. Romero cautions Norma about Nick Ford, whom she hopes will help stop the bypass initiative with the city council. Dylan protects Zane from a drive-by shooting and ends up hospitalized, where he meets his new boss, Zane's sister.
166"Plunge"Ed BianchiKerry EhrinApril 7, 2014BATE02062.24[16]
After distancing herself from Nick Ford, Norma is encouraged by Christine to meet with the Mayor for the empty city council spot. Norman has another blackout while with Cody; worried, Cody tells Emma, who informs Norma. Angry, Norman confronts Cody. Their heated discussion wakes her father, who becomes abusive with her. As he scuffles with her father, Norman pushes him down the stairs to their basement, breaking his neck and killing him.
177"Presumed Innocent"Roxann DawsonAlexandra CunninghamApril 14, 2014BATE02072.44[17]
Norman is questioned on the death of Cody's father and his DNA is taken for processing. Cody, now an orphan, leaves for Indiana to live with her aunt; she tells Norman that Norma is hiding something from him and he must get answers from her. Norman is released as the death was ruled an accident, but Romero is later told Norman's DNA matches the semen found earlier from Miss Watson's body. Zane raids Nick Ford's warehouse, where Dylan is left unconscious for refusing to take part.
188"Meltdown"Ed BianchiLiz Tigelaar & Nikki ToscanoApril 21, 2014BATE02082.10[18]
Norman becomes distant with Norma. Dylan meets Ford, who suggests killing Zane or the Bates family will be in danger. Norman confronts Norma and yells that their relationship has changed and will never be the same. In retaliation, Norma leaves and has sex with George. Alone at home, Norman is abducted by an intruder.
199"The Box"Tucker GatesCarlton Cuse & Kerry EhrinApril 28, 2014BATE02092.25[19]
Nick Ford's henchmen keeps Norman in a hot box in a field. Ford tells Norma he will let Norman go if Dylan kills Zane; if not, Norman dies. Trapped, Norman's sanity slips, causing him to envision his mother saying she will protect him, and he recalls the blackout he had at Miss Watson's house: it is revealed he sliced Miss Watson's throat while having sex with her. Dylan, unable to kill Zane, reports to Ford. Fearing for his life, Dylan inadvertently kills Ford before he can learn Norman's location. Romero informs Norma that Norman had sex with Miss Watson, and Norma tells him that Ford has kidnapped Norman.
2010"The Immutable Truth"Tucker GatesCarlton Cuse & Kerry EhrinMay 5, 2014BATE02102.30[20]
At Nick Ford's house, Romero finds him dead and one of his henchmen emptying the safe. He convinces the man to reveal Norman's location. At the hospital, a weak Norman tells his mother about his "dream" of killing Blair Watson. She tells him to rest and not think about it. Romero insists on giving Norman a polygraph test. At home, Norman prepares a list of things he checks off after completing – packing up his taxidermy hobby, telling Emma about Norma's rape and Dylan's paternity, and dancing with his mother. Meanwhile, he takes a gun and bullets from his mother's drawer. In the aftermath of Nick Ford's death, Jodi – convinced by sheriff Romero – invites her brother Zane to her house to talk about the future of their business. They have an argument and Zane kills her. Romero comes in and shoots Zane to death. Romero gives Dylan a free pass and tells him how the story's going to be. Norma finds Norman wandering in the woods with a gun and she is able to talk him out of killing himself. Wanting to flee the country with her sons, she ultimately allows the polygraph, wherein Norman is asked if he killed Blair Watson. His mother's persona emerges again and he answers "no". Norman passed the polygraph with a knowing smile to himself.

Reception

Critical response

The second season of Bates Motel received mostly positive reviews. It received 67 out of 100 from Metacritic, based on 11 television critic reviews.[21] Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reported that 12 out of 14 critics gave the second season a positive review, averaging an 86% rating. The site's consensus reads: "Bates Motel reinvents a classic thriller with believable performances and distinguished writing."[7] Farmiga and Highmore were nominated for Satellite Awards[10] and Critics' Choice Television Awards for Best Actress and Best Actor, respectively, for their work on this season.[22]

Ratings

The season premiere episode drew in a total of 3.07 million viewers, with 1.3 million tuning in from the coveted 18–49 demographic.[8] The season finale episode drew in 2.30 million viewers, with 0.9 million watching in the 18–49 demographic.[20] Overall, the second season averaged 2.30 million viewers, with a 0.9 ratings share in the 18–49 demographic.[23]

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result
2014 4th Critics' Choice Television Awards[22] Best Actor in a Drama Series Freddie Highmore Nominated
Best Actress in a Drama Series Vera Farmiga Nominated
Online Film & Television Association Awards[24] Best Actress in a Drama Series Nominated
Best Drama Series Bates Motel Nominated
Best Music in a Series Chris Bacon Nominated
Best Production Design in a Series Peter Bodnarus, Mark S. Freeborn, Tony Wohlgemuth, Margot Ready, Rose Marie McSherry Nominated
Best Sound in a Series Alan Decker, Mark Noda, Nello Torri, Thomas DeGorter, Michael Mullane, Brian Armstrong Nominated
IGN Awards[25] Best New TV Series Bates Motel Nominated
Best TV Horror Series Nominated
Best TV Actress Vera Farmiga Nominated
Women's Image Network Awards[26] Best Actress – Drama Series Nominated
Best Drama Series Produced by a Woman Kerry Ehrin Nominated
Best Drama Series Bates Motel Nominated
Imagen Awards[27] Best Supporting Actor – Television Nestor Carbonell Nominated
18th Satellite Awards[10] Best Actor – Television Series Drama Freddie Highmore Nominated
Best Actress – Television Series Drama Vera Farmiga Nominated
41st Saturn Awards[9] Best Actress on Television Pending
Best Limited Run Television Series Bates Motel Pending
TV Guide Awards Favorite Horror Series Nominated
2015 41st People's Choice Awards[28] Favorite Cable TV Drama Nominated

References

  1. ↑ "Bates Motel - Blu-rays, DVD for Season 2: Street Date, Pricing, Bonus Material". July 15, 2013. Retrieved July 16, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Bates Motel - Season 2 Blu-ray Region Free". Amazon. Retrieved July 16, 2014.
  3. ↑ "Bates Motel - Blu-rays, DVD for Season 2: Street Date, Pricing, Bonus Material". July 15, 2013. Retrieved July 16, 2014.
  4. ↑ "Bates Motel - Season 2 Blu-ray Region Free". Amazon. Retrieved July 16, 2014.
  5. ↑ Keck, William. "Keck's Exclusives: Michael Vartan Checks in to Bates Motel". TV Guide. Retrieved March 4, 2014.
  6. ↑ McNamara, Mary (March 18, 2013). "Review: 'Bates Motel' a twisty, moody modern prequel to 'Psycho'". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 4, 2014.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "Bates Motel: Season 2 (2014)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved March 15, 2014.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Bibel, Sara (March 4, 2014). "Monday Cable Ratings: 'WWE Raw' Wins Night, 'Bates Motel', 'Teen Wolf', 'Single Ladies', 'Switched at Birth' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved March 4, 2014.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 "'Captain America: The Winter Soldier' and 'Interstellar' Lead Saturn Awards Noms". Variety. March 3, 2015.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 10.2 Pond, Steve (December 2, 2013). "'12 Years a Slave' Tops Satellite Award Nominations". The Wrap. Retrieved February 4, 2015.
  11. ↑ Bibel, Sara (March 4, 2014). "Monday Cable Ratings: 'WWE Raw' Wins Night, 'Bates Motel', 'Teen Wolf', 'Single Ladies', 'Switched at Birth' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved March 4, 2014.
  12. ↑ Kondolojy, Amanda (March 11, 2014). "Monday Cable Ratings: 'Monday Night RAW' Leads Night + 'Swamp People', 'Bates Motel', 'Real Housewives of Beverly Hills' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved March 11, 2014.
  13. ↑ Bibel, Sara (March 18, 2014). "Monday Cable Ratings: 'WWE Raw' Wins Night, 'Fast N Loud', 'Teen Wolf', 'Bates Motel', 'Switched at Birth' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved March 18, 2014.
  14. ↑ Kondolojy, Amanda (March 25, 2014). "Monday Cable Ratings: 'Monday Night RAW' Leads Night + 'Basketball Wives', 'Single Ladies', 'Fast N Loud', 'Teen Wolf' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved March 25, 2014.
  15. ↑ Bibel, Sara (April 1, 2014). "Monday Cable Ratings: 'WWE Raw' Wins Night, 'T.I. and Tiny', 'Black Ink Crew', 'Bates Motel', 'Archer', 'Being Human', 'Dallas' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 1, 2014.
  16. ↑ Kondolojy, Amanda (April 8, 2014). "Monday Cable Ratings: 'Monday Night RAW' Tops Night + 'Basketball Wives', 'WWE Hall of Fame', 'Bates Motel' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 8, 2014.
  17. ↑ Bibel, Sara (April 15, 2014). "Monday Cable Ratings: 'WWE Raw' Wins Night, 'Basketball Wives', 'Bates Motel', 'Archer', 'Dallas' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 15, 2014.
  18. ↑ Kondolojy, Amanda (April 22, 2014). "Monday Cable Ratings: NBA Playoffs Lead Night + WWE Raw, 'Basketball Wives', 'Blank Ink Crew' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 22, 2014.
  19. ↑ Bibel, Sara (April 29, 2014). "Monday Cable Ratings: 'WWE Raw' & NBA Playoffs Win Night, 'Fast N Loud', 'The Boondocks, 'Bates Motel' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 29, 2014.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Kondolojy, Amanda (May 6, 2014). "Monday Cable Ratings: NBA Playoffs Lead Night + 'Love & Hip Hop Atlanta', 'Monday Night RAW', 'The Boondocks' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved May 6, 2014.
  21. ↑ "Bates Motel: Season 2". Metacritic. Retrieved March 15, 2014.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 Sandberg, Bryn Elise (June 19, 2014). "Critics' Choice Television Awards 2014: Complete Winners List". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 4, 2015.
  23. ↑ "Bates Motel: Season Two Ratings". TV Series Finale. May 6, 2014. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  24. ↑ "Online Film & Television Association - Television Branch: 2013-14". OFTA. Retrieved April 22, 2015.
  25. ↑ "TV - IGN's Best of 2013". IGN. Retrieved March 1, 2014.
  26. ↑ Doyle, Rebecca (October 29, 2014). "Joan Rivers, Julia Roberts, Shonda Rhimes Among WIN Award Nominees". The Hollywood Reporter.
  27. ↑ "Nominees for the 29th Annual Imagen Awards Announced". The Imagen Foundation. June 2014.
  28. ↑ Blake, Emily (January 18, 2015). "People's Choice Awards 2015: The winner's list". Entertainment Weekly.

External links