Bates Motel (TV Series) A Boy and His Dog (2013) User Reviews

A Subtle Episode That Explores Relationships!

[gab-14712 · 9/10 · 1 March 2019]

As we move towards the finale (two episodes away), I was really surprised how subdued this episode was. The episode was designed for character-building and I'll take that any day of the week. Some fans were disappointed because there are really no big horror shocks or intense action scenes, although there is a satisfying cliffhanger. As I said, this episode is all about relationships. Norma vs. Norman, Norman vs. Emma, Norman vs. Emma's father, and Dylan vs. his new partner Remo. Each relationship I mentioned moves the story dynamic in one way or another. I really liked the Norman vs. Will Decody relationship. Last episode, Norman's dog was killed in an abrupt and manipulative way. So the taxidermy scenes should not have worked well as they did. But Norman has great chemistry with Will Decody, played by Ian Hart. Will teaches Norman the art of taxidermy while also giving him some insight on love. It was quite beautiful to see.

In "A Boy and a Dog," Norman beings a friendship with Will Decody who teaches him the trade of taxidermy. Meanwhile at school, Emma let slip to the school that Norman had sex with Bradley. The fallout had Norman screaming at his teacher Ms. Watson and running out of class. The school suspends Norman for 3 days and advises Norma to get him psychological help. Norma pleads with Sheriff Romero regarding the town's planned bypass which would keep customers away. She also begins to stalk Jake Abernathy, who apparently has something to do with the sex slave ring (they are really beating this story into the ground, huh?). Abernathy begins to slowly threaten her. Finally, Dylan and Remo are sent to California where they have to pick up drugs for their boss. However, they don't seem to like each other.

I enjoyed this episode for what it was. A subtle, more laidback episode. There were some great, hard-hitting moments. Some examples that come to mind are when Emma confesses her love for Norman thus strengthening their relationship. Honestly, I would have personally gone after Emma instead of Bradley, even if she has that disease. Come on, Norman! Also, I love when the school calls out Norma for being too controlling. We all know she is the way she is to protect Norman, but that doesn't stop her from being possessive, needy, and sometimes incompetent. This is an episode that explores relationships and the ending sets up the last two episodes in an effective manner.

My Grade: A-

A Boy and His Dog

[Michael_Elliott · 6 May 2013]

Bates Motel: 'A Boy and His Dog' (2013)

Rating: B-

A&E's "Bates Motel" mini-series is basically going to be re-working PSYCHO IV. If you've seen that film then you know it shows what was going on with Mrs. Bates and Norman before the events in the original Alfred Hitchcock film. While that prequel wasn't perfect, it at least put a nice wrap-around story to the original film.

Norma Bates (Vera Farmiga) continues to try and uncover what her new hotel guest is trying to do to her while at the same time trying to handle Norman (Freddie Highmore) who is started to get in trouble at school after word gets out that he and Bradley slept together. While all of this is going on Dylan (Max Thieriot) goes on a road trip to get some drugs for his boss.

The eighth episode isn't quite as good as the previous one but it's still very much worth watching. I think this episode was the most laid back to date and it really does seem like the series has slowed down and I say this as a good thing. I thought some of the weaker episodes simply had too much happening and at too fast of a pace. This episode really doesn't have much going on but it introduces a few new aspects of the story, which might lead to interesting things going forward. This includes Norman's slow breakdown as he begins to crack at school and others start to see it. Another new thing here is the way that Norma gets called out for being too controlling. I think the best thing offered here is the mystery of what the hotel guest is hiding. As you'd expect by now, the performances by the three leads are terrific and I really like some of the comic tones that Farmiga is giving and especially during some of her line deliveries. Highmore also continues to impress as his character slowly becomes more deranged. Again, this episode doesn't feature anything fantastic but it's interesting enough and makes one want to see where it goes next.