Bates Motel (season 2)

Bates Motel (season 2)

Promotional poster and home media cover art
Starring
Country of origin United States
No. of episodes 10
Release
Original network A&E
Original release March 3 (2014-03-03) – May 5, 2014 (2014-05-05)
Season chronology

The second season of Bates Motel consisted of 10 episodes and premiered on A&E on March 3, 2014. The season aired on Mondays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on A&E, and concluded on May 5, 2014.[1] 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 in the fictional town of White Pine Bay, Oregon prior to the events portrayed in the Hitchcock film.[2]

The season received positive reviews from television critics,[3] and the premiere episode drew in a total of 3.07 million viewers.[4] Bates Motel was renewed for a third season after five episodes of the second season had aired.[5] For her performance as Norma Louise Bates, Vera Farmiga received nominations for the 2014 Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series and the 2014 Saturn Award for Best Actress on Television.[6] The season was released on Blu-ray and DVD on October 7, 2014.[7]

Cast and characters

Main

Vera Farmiga, Freddie Highmore, and Max Thieriot (left to right) portray leading roles Norma Louise Bates, Norman Bates, and Dylan Massett, respectively, who appear in all episodes.
Olivia Cooke, Nicola Peltz, and Nestor Carbonell (left to right) portray Emma Decody, Bradley Martin, and Sheriff Alex Romero, respectively.

Recurring

Guest

Production

Casting

For the second season, Nestor Carbonell, who recurred as Sheriff Alex Romero throughout the first season, was upgraded to a series regular. On July 23, 2013, Michael Vartan was cast in the recurring role of George Heldens, a 40-something divorcée and love interest for Norma.[8] That same day, Kenny Johnson joined the recurring cast as Norma's estranged brother Caleb Calhoun, and Rebecca Creskoff was cast as Christine Heldens, a White Pine Bay society woman and George's sister, who befriends Norma.[9] The following day, Michael Eklund was cast as Zane Morgan, an upper level player in the drug business.[10] On August 13, 2013, Kathleen Robertson was cast to recur as Jodi Morgan, Zane's sister, first described as "a smart, sexy businesswoman".[11] The following day, Michael O'Neill joined the cast as Nick Ford, the season's major villain.[12]

Filming

At the beginning of the first season, a replica of the original Bates Motel set from the film Psycho was built on location in Aldergrove, British Columbia on 272nd Street, where the series is filmed.[13][14] Principal photography for the second season began on July 24, 2013.[15] Production at the series' Aldergrove set concluded on November 6, 2013, with only location filming left to be completed for the season.[16]

Episodes

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateU.S. viewers
(millions)
111"Gone But Not Forgotten"Tucker GatesCarlton Cuse & Kerry EhrinMarch 3, 2014 (2014-03-03)3.07[4]
The Bates family attends Blair Watson's funeral, after which a depressed Bradley attempts suicide. Four months later, the 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. 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, 2014 (2014-03-10)2.22[17]
Norman hides Bradley in the basement of the house, where she confesses to Gil's killing. Meanwhile, 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 who controls the marijuana cultivation and wholesales in White Pine Bay. Ford assures Romero that his family has nothing to do with Gil's murder. Zane Morgan, Dylan's new drug boss, suspects an opposing drug family in a nearby town of having killed Gil. A stoner named Kyle Miller is arrested after his semen is found inside Miss Watson, but another unidentified semen sample is also found. To bond with Norman, Norma signs them both up for the community musical. A problem arises when, at the same time Norman is supposed to be driving Bradley to a bus stop for her to flee town, he now has to be at a rehearsal. Norman therefore has Dylan take her instead. Meanwhile, Norma's brother, Caleb, arrives in town looking for the Bates Motel.
133"Caleb"Lodge KerriganAlexandra CunninghamMarch 17, 2014 (2014-03-17)1.85[18]
Emma shows Norman a newspaper stating the police have discovered clothes and a suicide note belonging to Bradley, who is now presumed dead. Caleb arrives at the motel asking for Norma; he introduces himself to Dylan, who says Norma never mentioned she had a brother. Upon returning home, Norma immediately throws Caleb out. Meanwhile, Norma becomes friends with Christine, the former director of the community musical, and also meets Christine's brother, George. Norman makes a new girlfriend at the community theater, the troublemaking Cody Brennan. Caleb bonds with Dylan and says he helped protect Norma from their abusive father. Dylan then defends him 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 biological father.
144"Check-Out"John David ColesLiz TigelaarMarch 24, 2014 (2014-03-24)2.23[19]
Norma's revelation deeply affects both herself and Dylan, who is found unconscious in his truck by Emma. Norma goes to Caleb's nearby motel in an attempt to speak to him, but cannot pluck up the courage to do so and emotionally drives away. Later, an angry, hurt and broken Dylan accuses Norma of using his conception to get away from her family; marrying young to her high school boyfriend and making him think Dylan was his child. Dylan's assumption turns out to be correct. Meanwhile, 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, 2014 (2014-03-31)2.27[20]
Norman admits to Cody about having had similar blackouts in the past. The next day, Norma meets Cody when she stops by to pick up Norman. Cody takes Norman to a tree house, where the two have sex. Meanwhile, Sheriff Romero takes up residence at the motel after Zane has his house burned down; he later finds Zane, beats him up and threatens to destroy his business. Emma confides in Norma about losing her virginity after she begins casually dating a motel guest, Gunner. Romero cautions Norma about Nick Ford, whom she hopes will help stop the town council's bypass initiative which, if green-lit, would negatively affect the motel. Later, Norma learns that one of the city council members has died in a mysterious auto accident. Dylan protects Zane from a drive-by shooting and ends up in hospital, where he meets his new drug boss, Zane's sister Jodi.
166"Plunge"Ed BianchiKerry EhrinApril 7, 2014 (2014-04-07)2.24[21]
Jodi takes Dylan to her house to help him recover from his injuries. After distancing herself from Nick Ford, Norma is encouraged by Christine to meet with the Mayor for the empty town council spot. Meanwhile, Cody invites Norman, Emma and Gunner to go swimming at the river, but Emma nearly drowns due to exposure after jumping into the cold water. Norman has another fit and blackouts while with Cody. Worried about Norman, Cody tells Emma about it, who then informs Norma. Just when Norman is about to take his drivers license test, Norma reveals to the instructor about Norman's physical blackouts. Angry, Norman confronts Cody for betraying his trust to keep his problems to themselves. Their heated discussion wakes her father, who becomes abusive with her. As he scuffles with her father, Norman pushes him down a flight of stairs to their basement, breaking his neck and killing him.
177"Presumed Innocent"Roxann DawsonAlexandra CunninghamApril 14, 2014 (2014-04-14)2.44[22]
Norma, a new council member, arrives at the town hall, where she is shown her office and meets councilman Max Borowitz. Sheriff Romero arrives to inform Norma of Jimmy Brennan's death and takes her to the police station. Norman is questioned about the incident, and his DNA is taken for processing. Norma encounters Cody in the station's bathroom, and pleads that she doesn't reveal to police that Norman suffers from blackouts. Cody, now an orphan, leaves for Indiana to live with her aunt. Before she goes, she tells Norman that Norma is hiding something from him and he must get answers from her. Norman is released from custody as the death of Cody's father is ruled an accident, but Romero is later told that 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, 2014 (2014-04-21)2.10[23]
Sheriff Romero becomes suspicious of Norman after finding out about his connection to Blair Watson. Norman begins to distance himself from Norma over her refusal to talk about his blackouts or mental state. Nick Ford arrives at the motel to get Norma to arrange a meeting for him with Dylan; she informs him of their estrangement and he encourages her to get in contact. Ford visits the Bates again and intimidates Norma, reminding her that she is indebted to him for getting her a seat on the town council. Dylan eventually meets with 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. Romero tells Norman that Kyle Miller has been convicted of murdering Miss Watson, and tries to recover the truth of that night's events, but Norman flees. Afterward, Norman is abducted by an intruder.
199"The Box"Tucker GatesCarlton Cuse & Kerry EhrinApril 28, 2014 (2014-04-28)2.25[24]
Norma returns home to find Norman missing. She checks the motel where she encounters Emma, who is annoyed that she is always left out of the loop. Nick Ford's henchmen keep 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 in a confined place, Norman's sanity slips, causing him to envision his mother saying she will protect him. He also recalls what happened during his blackout 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 of Norman's location. Meanwhile, Sheriff Romero meets with a polygraphist about possibly performing a test on Norman. Romero informs Norma that her son had sex with Miss Watson on the night she died, before Norma tells him that Ford has kidnapped Norman.
2010"The Immutable Truth"Tucker GatesCarlton Cuse & Kerry EhrinMay 5, 2014 (2014-05-05)2.30[25]
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, and Romero and Dylan find and rescue Norman. 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 or tell anyone. 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. Norman takes a gun and bullets from his mother's drawer. In the aftermath of Nick Ford's death, Jodi – convinced by 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 dead. 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 passes 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, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[26] 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."[3] On April 7, 2014, A&E renewed the series for a third season following the positive reviews and good ratings after the first five episodes.[5]

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.[4] The season finale episode drew in 2.30 million viewers, with 0.9 million watching in the 18–49 demographic.[25] Overall, the second season averaged 2.30 million viewers, with a 0.9 ratings share in the 18–49 demographic.[27]

Awards and nominations

In its second season, Bates Motel was nominated for 16 awards, winning none.

Year Awards Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
2014 4th Critics' Choice Television Awards Best Actor in a Drama Series Freddie Highmore Nominated [28]
Best Actress in a Drama Series Vera Farmiga Nominated
41st Saturn Awards Best Actress on Television Nominated [6]
Best Limited Run Television Series Bates Motel Nominated
18th Online Film & Television Association Awards Best Drama Series Nominated [29]
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
Best Actress in a Drama Series Vera Farmiga Nominated
Gold Derby Awards Best Lead Actress in a Drama Nominated [30]
16th Women's Image Network Awards Best Actress – Drama Series Nominated [31]
Best Drama Series Produced by a Woman Kerry Ehrin Nominated
Best Drama Series Bates Motel Nominated
TV Guide Awards Favorite Horror Series Nominated
41st People's Choice Awards Favorite Cable TV Drama Nominated [32]
29th Imagen Awards Best Supporting Actor – Television Nestor Carbonell Nominated [33]
The listed years are of television release, annual ceremonies are usually held the following year

References

  1. ↑ Keck, William. "Keck's Exclusives: Michael Vartan Checks in to Bates Motel". TV Guide. Retrieved March 4, 2014.
  2. ↑ McNamara, Mary (March 18, 2013). "Review: 'Bates Motel' a twisty, moody modern prequel to 'Psycho'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 4, 2014.
  3. 1 2 "Bates Motel: Season 2 (2014)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved March 15, 2014.
  4. 1 2 3 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.
  5. 1 2 Andreeva, Nellie (April 7, 2014). "'A&E's 'Bates Motel' Renewed For Third Season". Deadline.com. Retrieved May 12, 2015.
  6. 1 2 "'Captain America: The Winter Soldier' and 'Interstellar' Lead Saturn Awards Noms". Variety. March 3, 2015.
  7. ↑ Lambert, David (July 15, 2013). "Bates Motel – Blu-rays, DVD for Season 2: Street Date, Pricing, Bonus Material". TV Shows on DVD. Retrieved July 16, 2014.
  8. ↑ Ausiello, Michael (July 23, 2013). "Exclusive: Alias' Michael Vartan Checks Into Bates Motel as Norma's New [Spoiler]". TVLine.
  9. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (July 23, 2013). "Rebecca Creskoff, Kenny Johnson & Michael Vartan Join A&E's 'Bates Motel'". Deadline.com.
  10. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (July 24, 2013). "Daniella Alonso Joins NBC's 'Night Shift', Michael Eklund Added To A&E's 'Bates Motel'". Deadline.com.
  11. ↑ Slezak, Michael (August 13, 2013). "Kathleen Robertson Checks Into Bates Motel". TVLine.
  12. ↑ Ausiello, Michael (August 14, 2013). "Bates Motel Exclusive: Grey's Anatomy Menace to Raise Hell in Season 2". TVLine.
  13. ↑ Turnquist, Kristi (March 26, 2013). "'Bates Motel': What's going on in that bucolic Oregon coastal town". OregonLive.com.
  14. ↑ "BATES MOTEL Set in Aldergrove is Spitting Image of Alfred Hitchcock's Set in Psycho – Updated". YVR Shoots. November 15, 2012.
  15. ↑ "BATES MOTEL's Gothic House Gets a New Roof". YVR Shoots. August 5, 2013.
  16. ↑ "BATES MOTEL Wraps at its Aldergrove Set for Season 2". YVR Shoots. November 11, 2013.
  17. ↑ 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.
  18. ↑ 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.
  19. ↑ 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.
  20. ↑ 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.
  21. ↑ 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.
  22. ↑ 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.
  23. ↑ 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.
  24. ↑ 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.
  25. 1 2 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.
  26. ↑ "Bates Motel: Season 2". Metacritic. Retrieved March 15, 2014.
  27. ↑ "Bates Motel: Season Two Ratings". TV Series Finale. May 6, 2014. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  28. ↑ Sandberg, Bryn Elise (June 19, 2014). "Critics' Choice Television Awards 2014: Complete Winners List". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved February 4, 2015.
  29. ↑ "Online Film & Television Association – Television Branch: 2013-14". OFTA. Retrieved April 22, 2015.
  30. ↑ "Gold Derby Awards (2014)". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved May 5, 2016.
  31. ↑ Doyle, Rebecca (October 29, 2014). "Joan Rivers, Julia Roberts, Shonda Rhimes Among WIN Award Nominees". The Hollywood Reporter.
  32. ↑ Blake, Emily (January 18, 2015). "People's Choice Awards 2015: The winner's list". Entertainment Weekly.
  33. ↑ "Nominees for the 29th Annual Imagen Awards Announced". Imagen.org. June 2014. Archived from the original on June 24, 2014.
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