The last 2 episodes of Bates Motel where the best series finals of a serie ever, period, ever! The performance of Max Thieriot and Olivia Cooke is outstanding, just a masterpiece, never been sucked into it before, the emotions they display and how it was shot and directed, the perfect pace, it is just cinema at it's finest. And it is brilliant how this series starts about Norman and Norma and ends with the ravage it leaves with the remainders. Just phenomenal.
28 Reviews
The perfect finale
AdamDroge25 April 2017
Warning: Spoilers
It's always sad when a show comes to an end. You put so much time, passion, thought and energy into a show and it leaves a bit of a hole in your soul when it comes to an end. But there's nothing worse than when a show leaves you with a bitter taste in your mouth by ending in a way that you did not think did the show justice.
Thankfully "Bates Motel" did not go that route. In fact, their finale is a contender for one of their best episodes yet. I still think that the second to last episode of season four, where Norma dies, is the best. But this is perhaps a contender for second best.
Continuing on from what happened at the end of the previous episode, which I thought was a bit silly, we have Norman in the car with Romero driving to where Norman hid Norma's body. I'm thankful that they didn't drag this on too long, but it ended up being a tragically fitting ending to Romero's character, who progressed from town Sheriff at the beginning of the show to escaped convict at the end of the show. What a tragedy. Then to see him look into the eyes of his dead wife at the end of the show and sob almost made me sob.
"Psycho" is so great because of how perfectly beautiful the tragedy is in the film. It makes you break down emotionally when you think of how things ended for Marion Crane, Norman Bates and others. I'm so glad they were able to capture that in this episode with several of the characters, but first with Romero as he is killed moments after sobbing at his dead wife's body, telling her how much he loved her.
Informing Norman that Norman killed his own mother and that he can't live with that forever were the perfect last words for Romero. Then the beginning of the end happens for Norman in this episode when his mother personality leaves him, telling him that there is nothing more for her to hide from him. He knows the whole truth and now he must deal with that on his own.
Dealing with that on his own is something he doesn't do well. In fact, he goes into a completely delusional state as his mind is thrown into the past and he thinks he is at the point where they are just barely moving into the Bates Motel. At this point, Norman's mind is completely gone and that is just sad to see. Mentally he is all alone and completely lost. He's gone. Then he calls Dylan up and speaks to him as if they just moved into Bates Motel and they want to have Dylan over for dinner.
At that point you realize that this show is going to come down to Dylan vs. Norman in the house. One of them is not coming out alive and that terrified me because I didn't know who it was going to be and I was scared that it was going to be Dylan, which made his phone conversation with Emma right before walking in super emotional.
The finale of this episode hit home. So much emotion packed into one scene. Dylan seeing his dead mother and vomiting at the sight of it spoke a lot. It helped him connect in his mind everything that had happened and how horrifying the situation was. Then his final conversation with Norman was tragic for both of them. Dylan was talking about what he wanted and that thing was nothing more than having all of them together again. He wanted Norma to be alive. He wanted Norman to be happy and well. He wanted to be able to visit for Christmas and for their daughter to meet her grandmother and uncle. So much power and so much emotion in that conversation that exemplified everything this show is about.
Then Norman grabs the knife and Dylan is forced to shoot him after begging Norman to put the knife down, but knowing that he is so mentally gone that he can't. Then the emotional scene that tops everything in the episode and perhaps everything in the show is Dylan holding his dying brother in his arms. Norman's last words to him were "Thank you," which completely tore me up inside. All the pain and torment from this mortal life is gone and Dylan helped release him of it as he now runs to be reunited with his mother and we are left with Dylan holding his dead brother in his arms sobbing.
Man, what an ending. The story of Norman Bates is tragic, both in "Psycho" and in "Bates Motel." "Psycho" is my all-time favorite movie and I honestly think "Bates Motel" did "Psycho" justice. Norman didn't die in "Psycho" or in any of the sequels. I wasn't expecting Norman to die in "Bates Motel," but looking back at this series, I think that was the perfect way for them to end this.
I'm sad for Norman. I'm sad for Norma. I'm sad for Romero. I'm sad for Bradley. I'm sad for Caleb. I'm sad for Chick. I'm sad for Emma's mom. I'm sad for a lot of other side characters that I'm not thinking of at this moment. I'm sad for Dylan that he had to see his family fall apart, but I'm glad him and Emma got a happy ending with their daughter, which is something I didn't think was going to happen.
I'm sad that this show is now over, but I'm happy they didn't drag it out further than was necessary and I'm happy they wrapped it up perfectly. I'm excited to own this whole series on DVD and I look forward to returning to it in the future on my own and with other friends and family.
Thank you, Bates Motel. You will be missed.
Thankfully "Bates Motel" did not go that route. In fact, their finale is a contender for one of their best episodes yet. I still think that the second to last episode of season four, where Norma dies, is the best. But this is perhaps a contender for second best.
Continuing on from what happened at the end of the previous episode, which I thought was a bit silly, we have Norman in the car with Romero driving to where Norman hid Norma's body. I'm thankful that they didn't drag this on too long, but it ended up being a tragically fitting ending to Romero's character, who progressed from town Sheriff at the beginning of the show to escaped convict at the end of the show. What a tragedy. Then to see him look into the eyes of his dead wife at the end of the show and sob almost made me sob.
"Psycho" is so great because of how perfectly beautiful the tragedy is in the film. It makes you break down emotionally when you think of how things ended for Marion Crane, Norman Bates and others. I'm so glad they were able to capture that in this episode with several of the characters, but first with Romero as he is killed moments after sobbing at his dead wife's body, telling her how much he loved her.
Informing Norman that Norman killed his own mother and that he can't live with that forever were the perfect last words for Romero. Then the beginning of the end happens for Norman in this episode when his mother personality leaves him, telling him that there is nothing more for her to hide from him. He knows the whole truth and now he must deal with that on his own.
Dealing with that on his own is something he doesn't do well. In fact, he goes into a completely delusional state as his mind is thrown into the past and he thinks he is at the point where they are just barely moving into the Bates Motel. At this point, Norman's mind is completely gone and that is just sad to see. Mentally he is all alone and completely lost. He's gone. Then he calls Dylan up and speaks to him as if they just moved into Bates Motel and they want to have Dylan over for dinner.
At that point you realize that this show is going to come down to Dylan vs. Norman in the house. One of them is not coming out alive and that terrified me because I didn't know who it was going to be and I was scared that it was going to be Dylan, which made his phone conversation with Emma right before walking in super emotional.
The finale of this episode hit home. So much emotion packed into one scene. Dylan seeing his dead mother and vomiting at the sight of it spoke a lot. It helped him connect in his mind everything that had happened and how horrifying the situation was. Then his final conversation with Norman was tragic for both of them. Dylan was talking about what he wanted and that thing was nothing more than having all of them together again. He wanted Norma to be alive. He wanted Norman to be happy and well. He wanted to be able to visit for Christmas and for their daughter to meet her grandmother and uncle. So much power and so much emotion in that conversation that exemplified everything this show is about.
Then Norman grabs the knife and Dylan is forced to shoot him after begging Norman to put the knife down, but knowing that he is so mentally gone that he can't. Then the emotional scene that tops everything in the episode and perhaps everything in the show is Dylan holding his dying brother in his arms. Norman's last words to him were "Thank you," which completely tore me up inside. All the pain and torment from this mortal life is gone and Dylan helped release him of it as he now runs to be reunited with his mother and we are left with Dylan holding his dead brother in his arms sobbing.
Man, what an ending. The story of Norman Bates is tragic, both in "Psycho" and in "Bates Motel." "Psycho" is my all-time favorite movie and I honestly think "Bates Motel" did "Psycho" justice. Norman didn't die in "Psycho" or in any of the sequels. I wasn't expecting Norman to die in "Bates Motel," but looking back at this series, I think that was the perfect way for them to end this.
I'm sad for Norman. I'm sad for Norma. I'm sad for Romero. I'm sad for Bradley. I'm sad for Caleb. I'm sad for Chick. I'm sad for Emma's mom. I'm sad for a lot of other side characters that I'm not thinking of at this moment. I'm sad for Dylan that he had to see his family fall apart, but I'm glad him and Emma got a happy ending with their daughter, which is something I didn't think was going to happen.
I'm sad that this show is now over, but I'm happy they didn't drag it out further than was necessary and I'm happy they wrapped it up perfectly. I'm excited to own this whole series on DVD and I look forward to returning to it in the future on my own and with other friends and family.
Thank you, Bates Motel. You will be missed.
A Great Ending to a Great Show
evanbro24 April 2017
Warning: Spoilers
I'm a bit sad that this show has come to an end, but it is for the best. I would rather the show end when it was ready than have it dragged out longer than it needed to be. This was the best way they could have ended it. They tied up all loose plot lines and tied them together. I'm depressed they killed off Romero, and he never got the revenge he sought, but I guess that was to be expected. I'm also happy they gave Dylan a happy ending rather than kill him off. I never watched the original psycho this show was based off of so I never knew how it was going to conclude. However, I knew Norman was going to die, it was the only way, and it was sad he met his demise by Dylan, but it was perfect. All in all, thanks for keeping me entertained for five years Bates. :(
Back To The Beginning
movie199427 May 2017
Warning: Spoilers
It's been 24 hours since I watched the finale. My husband and I believe it was predictable, but it's how it should have ended.
I started the show when it first aired. However the long delays irritated me. I quit watching once he went into the box. We picked it back up once we could binge watch. I broke down and bought the final season because I had to see how it ended.
***spoilers***
I was sad going into this last show because I will miss the characters I've grown to love. I feel like the last season was a little off and didn't have the same magic because of Norma. I hated to see her go and her absence just made the show miss something. There were seasons I really enjoyed more than others, but I was glad to get this wrapped up.
I was fine with Chick's death because that shooting was typical Alex. I believe Norman and Alex should have struggled a little more.
I literally got goosebumps when I saw the direction we were going, back to the beginning, in Norman's journey home. This was beautiful and I enjoyed every flashback between the current and first episode. Those conversations between him and his mother are what I will remember about this show. Norman just looked so accepting of where he was in his head. Relaxed. Oh Mother.
I was not fond of Emma this season, but I really never cared for her. However she was a major pain this time. To me she seemed cruel to Dylan for no reason. And to tell Caleb to leave? That wasn't her place, or her choice to make.
Second to the goosebumps scene was one of the last ones. Dylan has just shot Norman. After rocking him in his arms the camera starts to pull away. The dinner table is full, with a dead Norma sitting at the head of the table. Oh and that head. The way her head is plopped over, eyes peering into dead space, with her sons in the floor behind her, this was one of the most eerie of the season. Perfect end shot.
The end details can be argued, but the passion of this story can not. If you were ready to walk into the Bates crazy world, they were ready to entertain you. I fell in love with these characters. I hate this part of the few shows that have really gotten my attention. The goodbyes. I will miss this crazy bunch.
I started the show when it first aired. However the long delays irritated me. I quit watching once he went into the box. We picked it back up once we could binge watch. I broke down and bought the final season because I had to see how it ended.
***spoilers***
I was sad going into this last show because I will miss the characters I've grown to love. I feel like the last season was a little off and didn't have the same magic because of Norma. I hated to see her go and her absence just made the show miss something. There were seasons I really enjoyed more than others, but I was glad to get this wrapped up.
I was fine with Chick's death because that shooting was typical Alex. I believe Norman and Alex should have struggled a little more.
I literally got goosebumps when I saw the direction we were going, back to the beginning, in Norman's journey home. This was beautiful and I enjoyed every flashback between the current and first episode. Those conversations between him and his mother are what I will remember about this show. Norman just looked so accepting of where he was in his head. Relaxed. Oh Mother.
I was not fond of Emma this season, but I really never cared for her. However she was a major pain this time. To me she seemed cruel to Dylan for no reason. And to tell Caleb to leave? That wasn't her place, or her choice to make.
Second to the goosebumps scene was one of the last ones. Dylan has just shot Norman. After rocking him in his arms the camera starts to pull away. The dinner table is full, with a dead Norma sitting at the head of the table. Oh and that head. The way her head is plopped over, eyes peering into dead space, with her sons in the floor behind her, this was one of the most eerie of the season. Perfect end shot.
The end details can be argued, but the passion of this story can not. If you were ready to walk into the Bates crazy world, they were ready to entertain you. I fell in love with these characters. I hate this part of the few shows that have really gotten my attention. The goodbyes. I will miss this crazy bunch.
The series was never a prequel. Get over it.
keniah226 February 2018
Warning: Spoilers
The only way to remain consistent with Psycho would be to kill off Dylan, which I was anticipating throughout the whole final episode. I almost turned it off when Norman came at Dylan with the knife because I couldn't bare the thought of Dylan suffering his death at the mercy of crazy Norman Bates. I was ready to shoot Norman myself this entire season, but I'm glad Dylan did it.
Stop insisting this was a prequel, it was never advertised as such. Every episode indicates the series is only "Based on the characters". Only when you can abandon the idea it was a prequel, you can live with this ending. The writers were planning to end the series on this season, so they could ultimately do what they wanted at the very end, as they had nothing to lose from bad reviews.
I'm glad it ended the way it did.
Stop insisting this was a prequel, it was never advertised as such. Every episode indicates the series is only "Based on the characters". Only when you can abandon the idea it was a prequel, you can live with this ending. The writers were planning to end the series on this season, so they could ultimately do what they wanted at the very end, as they had nothing to lose from bad reviews.
I'm glad it ended the way it did.
The Cord
IPyaarCinema10 October 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Review By Kamal K
For Finale Episode - 10/10 This Season - 9/10
Let me tell you what: When it comes to Bates Motel, the future is certainly not mine to see. In its final season, Bates Motel proved over and over again that it is one of the few series on television that can simultaneously subvert predictions, exceed expectations of which there were many, given its inescapable source material and make every shocking twist feel completely earned.
And us. In the last analysis, five seasons planned and five seasons completed, Bates Motel has done so right by its audience. For its entire final season, Alex Romero has been fighting his way back tooth and nail, stomach wound and prison fight, stolen car and hostage situation, to be able to get back to Norman Bates and kill him for what he did to the woman he loved. But what we know is that Norman didn't kill Norma, Mother did. What we know is that Norman has only ever killed one person, and when he had control of his mind, he turned himself over to the police for it. What we know is that Norman was a broken boy without the means to fix himself.
Making Norman a sympathetic character was a narrative feat, but it was also a huge risk; a happy ending for Psycho's Norman Bates is one twist that even this series could likely not pull off. Dylan weeps to Norman once they've truly come to the end, "What I really want is something that can never happen! I want you to be happy, and I want you to be well." He now knows what we've known all along: There could be no happy ending for Norman. I guess I just assumed that meant there couldn't be a truly satisfying end for Norman either.
I was wrong. In the end, Norman Bates is just a lost boy who wants to be returned to his mother...
The Bates Motel series finale is called "The Cord," in reference to Norman's line spoken in the very first episode, while he and his mother disposed of their very first body together: "It's like there's a cord between our hearts... It's you and me; it's always been you and me. We belong to each other. I don't ever want to be without you."
When faced with the weight of what he'd done to Norma, and without Mother around to protect him, Norman simply could not handle the tragedy of his own life.
For Finale Episode - 10/10 This Season - 9/10
Let me tell you what: When it comes to Bates Motel, the future is certainly not mine to see. In its final season, Bates Motel proved over and over again that it is one of the few series on television that can simultaneously subvert predictions, exceed expectations of which there were many, given its inescapable source material and make every shocking twist feel completely earned.
And us. In the last analysis, five seasons planned and five seasons completed, Bates Motel has done so right by its audience. For its entire final season, Alex Romero has been fighting his way back tooth and nail, stomach wound and prison fight, stolen car and hostage situation, to be able to get back to Norman Bates and kill him for what he did to the woman he loved. But what we know is that Norman didn't kill Norma, Mother did. What we know is that Norman has only ever killed one person, and when he had control of his mind, he turned himself over to the police for it. What we know is that Norman was a broken boy without the means to fix himself.
Making Norman a sympathetic character was a narrative feat, but it was also a huge risk; a happy ending for Psycho's Norman Bates is one twist that even this series could likely not pull off. Dylan weeps to Norman once they've truly come to the end, "What I really want is something that can never happen! I want you to be happy, and I want you to be well." He now knows what we've known all along: There could be no happy ending for Norman. I guess I just assumed that meant there couldn't be a truly satisfying end for Norman either.
I was wrong. In the end, Norman Bates is just a lost boy who wants to be returned to his mother...
The Bates Motel series finale is called "The Cord," in reference to Norman's line spoken in the very first episode, while he and his mother disposed of their very first body together: "It's like there's a cord between our hearts... It's you and me; it's always been you and me. We belong to each other. I don't ever want to be without you."
When faced with the weight of what he'd done to Norma, and without Mother around to protect him, Norman simply could not handle the tragedy of his own life.
God ... i'm gonna miss the Bates
Ammar_Br25 April 2017
Warning: Spoilers
-this is my first review on an episode in IMDb -
I am feeling sad and happy that the show has finally come to an end but i do really respect writers who ends their shows at it's best and i think that was the right decision to make .
Well first let me make one thing clear i did like this episode but i think it was a little bit slow and the first 15 Min's didn't feel like a finale ,and i didn't like the way sheriff Romero died , i think it was a stupid idea .
But after that the greatness starts Norman is dragging his mother body to his home and on his way we see some flashbacks , they made us remember the old days :(
and now Norman invites Dylan for a family reunion and unfortunately it ends up very badly so Norman grabbed the Knife to kill Dylan but Dylan had to shoot his brother Norman ..... that was a very tragic scene ... i teared up in this scene
thank you Bates motel for this Great experience , thank you for the memories ...... i'm gonna miss this show .
thank you for reading my review my Email : Alzeim777@windowslive.com
I am feeling sad and happy that the show has finally come to an end but i do really respect writers who ends their shows at it's best and i think that was the right decision to make .
Well first let me make one thing clear i did like this episode but i think it was a little bit slow and the first 15 Min's didn't feel like a finale ,and i didn't like the way sheriff Romero died , i think it was a stupid idea .
But after that the greatness starts Norman is dragging his mother body to his home and on his way we see some flashbacks , they made us remember the old days :(
and now Norman invites Dylan for a family reunion and unfortunately it ends up very badly so Norman grabbed the Knife to kill Dylan but Dylan had to shoot his brother Norman ..... that was a very tragic scene ... i teared up in this scene
thank you Bates motel for this Great experience , thank you for the memories ...... i'm gonna miss this show .
thank you for reading my review my Email : Alzeim777@windowslive.com
Goodbye
dougmacdonaldburr25 April 2017
Warning: Spoilers
EXTRA SPOILER ALERT. DO NOT READ ON IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS
I disagree with some of the reviews. This was not a bad ending. It had some very good things, but, it was not my perfect ending. Then again this is not my show and I still enjoyed it.
First of all, Norman kills Romero. This was great. I like Romero, but, I still wanted Norman to win. It happens much earlier in the episode than I expected, this was also good. It caught me by surprise.
The episode muddles around a bit afterwards with flashbacks etc to get Norman (& Norma's body) back to the motel. A mother and two children check in prompting Norman to call Dylan. The guests were an unnecessary extra, but, I can live with it because it sets up Norman Vs Dylan.
Now the main event Norman Vs Dylan. This was great. From the moment Dylan arrives until he reluctantly kills Norman the entire sequence was perfect. Stunning acting by Max and Freddy. Tragic that Norma & Norman had to die, but, beautiful that they finally get to be together. Tragic that Dylan has to kill his own brother, but, wonderful that he gets to live on with his family. It really was a great ending.
However, since I care enough to write a review, here is what I would have done differently. The final season would have been 5 episodes instead of 10. Here are the key changes; Dylan and Emma would still be married, but, they would not have a child. Chic and Caleb would have killed each other last season. They are both great characters/actors, but, they are unessential. That new Sheriff woman would not exist either, I just find her annoying. Get rid of the charming young Norma lookalike too.
Dylan finds out about Normas death and so he returns. He encourages Norman to get help. Romero breaks out and makes his way back for revenge. Marion Crane steals the money and checks in to the motel. Norman kills her in the shower. He then gets rid of the body. Dylan finds proof Norman killed Emma's mother and he breaks the news to Emma. She returns to confront Norman and in a perfect storm there is a showdown at the motel. Norman is miraculously the only one who survives. Meanwhile the detective pursuing Marion Crane arrives and catches Norman. He is clearly insane and so is committed. The final shot of the series is the same as the film.
That would have been my perfect final season. I still love this show, I just wish they hadn't changed it from Psycho too much. I will miss it. Goodbye Bates Motel.
I disagree with some of the reviews. This was not a bad ending. It had some very good things, but, it was not my perfect ending. Then again this is not my show and I still enjoyed it.
First of all, Norman kills Romero. This was great. I like Romero, but, I still wanted Norman to win. It happens much earlier in the episode than I expected, this was also good. It caught me by surprise.
The episode muddles around a bit afterwards with flashbacks etc to get Norman (& Norma's body) back to the motel. A mother and two children check in prompting Norman to call Dylan. The guests were an unnecessary extra, but, I can live with it because it sets up Norman Vs Dylan.
Now the main event Norman Vs Dylan. This was great. From the moment Dylan arrives until he reluctantly kills Norman the entire sequence was perfect. Stunning acting by Max and Freddy. Tragic that Norma & Norman had to die, but, beautiful that they finally get to be together. Tragic that Dylan has to kill his own brother, but, wonderful that he gets to live on with his family. It really was a great ending.
However, since I care enough to write a review, here is what I would have done differently. The final season would have been 5 episodes instead of 10. Here are the key changes; Dylan and Emma would still be married, but, they would not have a child. Chic and Caleb would have killed each other last season. They are both great characters/actors, but, they are unessential. That new Sheriff woman would not exist either, I just find her annoying. Get rid of the charming young Norma lookalike too.
Dylan finds out about Normas death and so he returns. He encourages Norman to get help. Romero breaks out and makes his way back for revenge. Marion Crane steals the money and checks in to the motel. Norman kills her in the shower. He then gets rid of the body. Dylan finds proof Norman killed Emma's mother and he breaks the news to Emma. She returns to confront Norman and in a perfect storm there is a showdown at the motel. Norman is miraculously the only one who survives. Meanwhile the detective pursuing Marion Crane arrives and catches Norman. He is clearly insane and so is committed. The final shot of the series is the same as the film.
That would have been my perfect final season. I still love this show, I just wish they hadn't changed it from Psycho too much. I will miss it. Goodbye Bates Motel.
A grand good-bye
imreminjo25 April 2017
I liked it. It was perfect, so moments unexpected, but perfect. Then of course, all ties were tied and no loose ends.
What else to say. It is a bit sad that it was not so known and popular show than other TV series and people should really give it a chance. I haven't seen the Psycho, but will do, soon. Thank you Bates team!
What else to say. It is a bit sad that it was not so known and popular show than other TV series and people should really give it a chance. I haven't seen the Psycho, but will do, soon. Thank you Bates team!
I actually liked the ending...
jennamarbles27 April 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Having read the reviews, I noticed many were disappointed because the series ended in good light for Norman, yet dark for characters who deserved more (such as Romero)
I was so engrossed with the episode that I didn't notice that it's almost at its peak. I like how they kind of rewind the tapes to the beginning, resetting Norman's mind, brief Remo moment, and such.
However, I didn't like how Romero died because despite the bad stuff he did I still think he deserves better. I mean, he's just trying to avenge his wife. It would've been better or more infuriating for others, if he was to be buried alongside Norma, they were meant to be together okay. But then again, if survived, he'd still live a remorseful life behind bars so I guess letting him go was also positive in a way.
The only plot hole left for me was Caleb's death. Like did Dylan ever know? and Chick's family did they ever know or what.
As for Dylan, I couldn't explain the relief I had when he shot Norman. He just has to die okay? I mean, so many deserving characters already died and can we just please spare Dylan? I get that many people want the show to end darkly.
Maybe Norman kills Dylan, and Norman flees along with the corpse and lives a vagabond life. Seriously, he just had to die. I would've ripped my eyes off if he kills one more person.
So all in all, I give this show a big 9. It's one of the few series who didn't drag it out or anything, just let it end solemnly.
If any of you have more series that are similar to this please tell me.
I was so engrossed with the episode that I didn't notice that it's almost at its peak. I like how they kind of rewind the tapes to the beginning, resetting Norman's mind, brief Remo moment, and such.
However, I didn't like how Romero died because despite the bad stuff he did I still think he deserves better. I mean, he's just trying to avenge his wife. It would've been better or more infuriating for others, if he was to be buried alongside Norma, they were meant to be together okay. But then again, if survived, he'd still live a remorseful life behind bars so I guess letting him go was also positive in a way.
The only plot hole left for me was Caleb's death. Like did Dylan ever know? and Chick's family did they ever know or what.
As for Dylan, I couldn't explain the relief I had when he shot Norman. He just has to die okay? I mean, so many deserving characters already died and can we just please spare Dylan? I get that many people want the show to end darkly.
Maybe Norman kills Dylan, and Norman flees along with the corpse and lives a vagabond life. Seriously, he just had to die. I would've ripped my eyes off if he kills one more person.
So all in all, I give this show a big 9. It's one of the few series who didn't drag it out or anything, just let it end solemnly.
If any of you have more series that are similar to this please tell me.
Season 5 (10/10 stars): Going "Full Psycho"-And Beyond
zkonedog3 July 2019
For four seasons, Bates Motel-regardless of its quality, which usually was excellent-was a bit of an enigma. Was it prequel to Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho (but how could that be, set in "modern day"?). Was it a re-imagining of the themes of that 1960s masterpiece? In season five, Bates Motel definitively answers that question, while also managing to still "be both" in a roundabout sort of fashion.
The first 4-5 episodes here give "Psycho prequel-ists" like me exactly what we've been salivating over for years-a glimpse of Norman (Freddie Highmore) running the motel while living with the apparition of his beloved mother Norman (Vera Farmiga). The character study of Norman's duality is so nuanced and impressive that it could probably be used in psychology courses. Every one of these installments is 10/10-outstanding stuff. The introduction of new character Madeline Loomis (Isabelle McNally) is a series high point for the effect she has on Norman's fragile psyche.
The middle of S5 then throws viewers a momentous curveball-Marion Crane (Rihanna) emerges. What?! Definitively breaking from the "prequel to Psycho" mold, Bates Motel firmly lands in the "re-imagining" camp-and does it quite well. While the casting of Rihanna is a bit odd and maybe (in retrospect) not the best choice, the concept is impressive. It doesn't shot-for-shot copy the Hitch original, but it does hew close enough to make sense and keep the viewer in suspense and awe over what might happen next. An at-first seemingly odd angle featuring the enigmatic Chick (Ryan Hurst) actually helps quite a bit in putting the whole thing in context (I wish this had been followed up even further instead of being unceremoniously dumped in later episodes).
The final 2-3 episodes set up-then execute-one of the best series endgames ever crafted for scripted TV drama. Somehow, showrunners Carleton Cruse & Kerry Ehrin not only expertly conclude the Norma/Norman saga, but also give fitting, narrative-fulfilling ends to Alex Romero (Nestor Carbonell), Dylan (Max Thieriot), and Emma (Olivia Cooke). You'll feel for all of them-including Norman, which is a remarkable feat-as they each struggle to do what they feel is right to survive the trials of life and loss. Certain visuals and music cues echo Psycho with eerie prescience, while others are wholly original and circle back to the show's early goings.
Overall, S5's duality is what earns it my highest 10/10 mark. The show finally has to reckon with its exact positioning to Psycho, and does so in such a way that will satisfy (if not astound) all but the most slavish devotees. Multiple moments within these episodes will leave you deep in thought-or with your jaw on the floor-or extremely emotional considering the ride taken for multiple years with these characters. When all is said and done, the result is a poignant swan song for a series that expertly walked the tightrope of enormously popular intellectual property melded with original, fresh storytelling.
The first 4-5 episodes here give "Psycho prequel-ists" like me exactly what we've been salivating over for years-a glimpse of Norman (Freddie Highmore) running the motel while living with the apparition of his beloved mother Norman (Vera Farmiga). The character study of Norman's duality is so nuanced and impressive that it could probably be used in psychology courses. Every one of these installments is 10/10-outstanding stuff. The introduction of new character Madeline Loomis (Isabelle McNally) is a series high point for the effect she has on Norman's fragile psyche.
The middle of S5 then throws viewers a momentous curveball-Marion Crane (Rihanna) emerges. What?! Definitively breaking from the "prequel to Psycho" mold, Bates Motel firmly lands in the "re-imagining" camp-and does it quite well. While the casting of Rihanna is a bit odd and maybe (in retrospect) not the best choice, the concept is impressive. It doesn't shot-for-shot copy the Hitch original, but it does hew close enough to make sense and keep the viewer in suspense and awe over what might happen next. An at-first seemingly odd angle featuring the enigmatic Chick (Ryan Hurst) actually helps quite a bit in putting the whole thing in context (I wish this had been followed up even further instead of being unceremoniously dumped in later episodes).
The final 2-3 episodes set up-then execute-one of the best series endgames ever crafted for scripted TV drama. Somehow, showrunners Carleton Cruse & Kerry Ehrin not only expertly conclude the Norma/Norman saga, but also give fitting, narrative-fulfilling ends to Alex Romero (Nestor Carbonell), Dylan (Max Thieriot), and Emma (Olivia Cooke). You'll feel for all of them-including Norman, which is a remarkable feat-as they each struggle to do what they feel is right to survive the trials of life and loss. Certain visuals and music cues echo Psycho with eerie prescience, while others are wholly original and circle back to the show's early goings.
Overall, S5's duality is what earns it my highest 10/10 mark. The show finally has to reckon with its exact positioning to Psycho, and does so in such a way that will satisfy (if not astound) all but the most slavish devotees. Multiple moments within these episodes will leave you deep in thought-or with your jaw on the floor-or extremely emotional considering the ride taken for multiple years with these characters. When all is said and done, the result is a poignant swan song for a series that expertly walked the tightrope of enormously popular intellectual property melded with original, fresh storytelling.
Perfect ending for this TV show
guapo_andres1 October 2018
Warning: Spoilers
And well, this is the end. The dark path is over. Norman is dead. The show had a free way after chapter 6 to end how they would rather, and they made it really good. After 5 season we saw Norman's changing to a dark side, Romero's corruption(but he was a GREAT character) these two were, just like chick said "The perfect enemies". The end was dark for the dark characters (Chick, Caleb, Romero, Norman) and they gave a happy ending to Dylan and Emma, who really deserved it.
The end was dark, great, sad, emotive and perfect.
What the HELL Was that?
GrandJury25 April 2017
Warning: Spoilers
------------SPOILERS------------
------------SPOILERS------------
------------SPOILERS------------
Do Not Read If You Have Not Watched This Episode
There was a time when Bates was, if not my favorite show, at least one of my favorite shows.
Both Vera Farmiga as Norma and Freddie Highmore as Norman have been outstanding from Episode 1, up to this episode (The Cord). Throw the sexy Nestor Carbonell as Alex Romero into the mix and you had a powerhouse of actors. The story was there too. A perfect story and a perfect cast.
What happened?
Season 1 was pretty good.
Season 2 was very good.
Season 3 was just Okay.
Season 4 was very good.
Season 5 began with a clear direction of where it wanted to go, but someone lost the map on how to get there. The story stalled and became sluggish at times almost as if the writers and directors had no more story to tell. It's a total shame, because the episode before this one, and this one The Cord, could have used that time to better wrap up the seasons and tie up loose ends.
------------REMEMBER------------
------------SPOILERS------------
The breakdown:
CHICK. The death of chick was just a foretelling of what was to come. You may ask why include a character and spend time kind of building this character up and give him an actual story line that's going somewhere, then in a second, kill him off. I ask myself the same. It's not that it shouldn't be done, of course, it's that it needs to be done better.
ROMERO. While I think that most viewers knew that Romero was not going to make it, we were, as in the case of Chick, and far more so because this is ROMERO we are speaking of, expecting it not to be so ... contrived. He deserved better. Let me rephrase. The death he received, should have been executed in a hell of a better manner. You could see, for about a minute, what Romero didn't, and should have. I hated that.
DYLLAN. If Dylan had died at the hands of Norman, Bates Motel would be something people would be talking about for months to come. I'm not sure if in a negative or positive way, but they would have talked. As it was, it was too neatly wrapped up in a bow, and after all, this is Psycho we are talking about. There should have been NO Happy Ending. And what was it with the little girl at the end looking into the camera? I wanted to punch her in the face for doing so. I don't know if it was on purpose or not, but it screamed of lazy editing (see my opening line) and just took me further out of the moment.
NORMAN. As mentioned in the previous paragraph, there should have been no happy ending here, especially for Norman who, when all is said and done, was a psychotic killer. His death at the hands of his brother while meant to inspire a cathartic moment was insulting to five seasons of him killing people and getting away with it. There was no poetry to it, no resolution. No just desserts. I guess if I really try I can forgive this.
But,
NORMA. After FIVE seasons and year after year of Norma risking everything to protect her son, but more so, After FIVE seasons of Norman BELIEVING Norma risked everything to protect him, so intensely believing so that he split into her, or developed her; after all these years of day in and day out devotion and sickness that led to murder upon murder - Norma simply walks away with a Goodbye and a wave. That is just unforgivable and it was a slap to me as an equally devoted viewer.
------------SPOILERS------------
------------SPOILERS------------
Do Not Read If You Have Not Watched This Episode
There was a time when Bates was, if not my favorite show, at least one of my favorite shows.
Both Vera Farmiga as Norma and Freddie Highmore as Norman have been outstanding from Episode 1, up to this episode (The Cord). Throw the sexy Nestor Carbonell as Alex Romero into the mix and you had a powerhouse of actors. The story was there too. A perfect story and a perfect cast.
What happened?
Season 1 was pretty good.
Season 2 was very good.
Season 3 was just Okay.
Season 4 was very good.
Season 5 began with a clear direction of where it wanted to go, but someone lost the map on how to get there. The story stalled and became sluggish at times almost as if the writers and directors had no more story to tell. It's a total shame, because the episode before this one, and this one The Cord, could have used that time to better wrap up the seasons and tie up loose ends.
------------REMEMBER------------
------------SPOILERS------------
The breakdown:
CHICK. The death of chick was just a foretelling of what was to come. You may ask why include a character and spend time kind of building this character up and give him an actual story line that's going somewhere, then in a second, kill him off. I ask myself the same. It's not that it shouldn't be done, of course, it's that it needs to be done better.
ROMERO. While I think that most viewers knew that Romero was not going to make it, we were, as in the case of Chick, and far more so because this is ROMERO we are speaking of, expecting it not to be so ... contrived. He deserved better. Let me rephrase. The death he received, should have been executed in a hell of a better manner. You could see, for about a minute, what Romero didn't, and should have. I hated that.
DYLLAN. If Dylan had died at the hands of Norman, Bates Motel would be something people would be talking about for months to come. I'm not sure if in a negative or positive way, but they would have talked. As it was, it was too neatly wrapped up in a bow, and after all, this is Psycho we are talking about. There should have been NO Happy Ending. And what was it with the little girl at the end looking into the camera? I wanted to punch her in the face for doing so. I don't know if it was on purpose or not, but it screamed of lazy editing (see my opening line) and just took me further out of the moment.
NORMAN. As mentioned in the previous paragraph, there should have been no happy ending here, especially for Norman who, when all is said and done, was a psychotic killer. His death at the hands of his brother while meant to inspire a cathartic moment was insulting to five seasons of him killing people and getting away with it. There was no poetry to it, no resolution. No just desserts. I guess if I really try I can forgive this.
But,
NORMA. After FIVE seasons and year after year of Norma risking everything to protect her son, but more so, After FIVE seasons of Norman BELIEVING Norma risked everything to protect him, so intensely believing so that he split into her, or developed her; after all these years of day in and day out devotion and sickness that led to murder upon murder - Norma simply walks away with a Goodbye and a wave. That is just unforgivable and it was a slap to me as an equally devoted viewer.
Very satisfying conclusion, at least for me personally.
Councillor300428 August 2018
I have been a fan of "Bates Motel" ever since I watched the first episode of the first season, and it has not ceased to be a fantastic ride from the very beginning towards the final one of the fifty episodes this series consists of. Even though not everything may always have worked perfectly in "Bates Motel"; even though there are some inconsistencies now and then and even though not all plot lines are resolved perfectly throughout the show, the character work is as perfect as you can imagine, and the final season has been the closest "Bates Motel" ever was to perfection. We have a superb cast leading this show; Vera Farmiga may be good in everything she stars in, but she is absolutely perfect as Norma Bates, and Freddie Highmore actually gives the best performance of an antihero since Bryan Cranston as Walter White, at least in my opinion. We always know that we should be hating Highmore's version of Norman Bates, yet we still find ourselves rooting for him; that's how much empathy Highmore manages to evoke for the character of Norman Bates. Olivia Cooke constantly shines with an underrated performance as Emma Decody, while even Max Thieriot, who may be the weakest of the four leading actors, grows into his role as time passes by and manages to convince with his performance in the fifth season.
As a huge fan of the original "Psycho", I am absolutely in love with this series and couldn't enjoy the exploration of Norman Bates' family story more. This show is what I'd call perfection. If you look at "Bates Motel" objectively, then it will be easy to criticize it for many aspect, but what works so fantastically in this show is the way the characters are developed. Perhaps Emma's character arc may be the most fascinating one, but pretty much every character is drawn out in such an interesting way that there is almost nobody you won't find yourself rooting for. "Bates Motel" is in the Top Five of my favorite TV shows, and I couldn't recommend watching it more. With an amazing final season, "Bates Motel" does not disappoint either. In the end, the show did stray away from Hitchcock's original to some extent, which lead to many people complaining, yet had it not done that, most people probably would have started complaining about the series not being original enough. As a result, it's all a matter of the viewer's preparation to accept the changes made by the writers, and for some it probably works, for some it doesn't. Which is okay. For me, it all worked out as good as I could have hoped it to, leading to an emotional thriller ride with an amazing conclusion. Simply brilliant.
As a huge fan of the original "Psycho", I am absolutely in love with this series and couldn't enjoy the exploration of Norman Bates' family story more. This show is what I'd call perfection. If you look at "Bates Motel" objectively, then it will be easy to criticize it for many aspect, but what works so fantastically in this show is the way the characters are developed. Perhaps Emma's character arc may be the most fascinating one, but pretty much every character is drawn out in such an interesting way that there is almost nobody you won't find yourself rooting for. "Bates Motel" is in the Top Five of my favorite TV shows, and I couldn't recommend watching it more. With an amazing final season, "Bates Motel" does not disappoint either. In the end, the show did stray away from Hitchcock's original to some extent, which lead to many people complaining, yet had it not done that, most people probably would have started complaining about the series not being original enough. As a result, it's all a matter of the viewer's preparation to accept the changes made by the writers, and for some it probably works, for some it doesn't. Which is okay. For me, it all worked out as good as I could have hoped it to, leading to an emotional thriller ride with an amazing conclusion. Simply brilliant.
Great yet something missing...
carsonwhale26 April 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Season five of Bates Motel has been full of bloody death since the first episode. The show finally concludes as Norman's mind continues to spiral further and further into the deep end. With this last episode the story is finished and almost all character conflicts are resolved. Almost all...(I'll get to that in a second)
I originally rated this episode a 10 out of 10 once the end credits rolled. The more a I thought about it the more I saw the issues rise to the surface. To start things off, I think this episode went the way most fans expected it too. Not that that's a bad thing. The acting for this episode is top notch and the last few minutes before Norman's long predicted death was very disturbing. One of the final shots that show Norman lying in Dylan's arms and the corpse of Norma sitting at the dinner table was disturbing and captured the tone of the show. Yet I can't help feel as though Romero's final moments could have been handled better. It felt formulaic and predictable, even though when the gunshots rang out I really felt the impact of the situation.
Norman is gone at this point. He drives his mother's dead body to his home and makes himself believe he is back at the starting point of the show. His mind play tricks to make him think he can start over, to make things work out in the end. Then he calls Dylan, inviting him over for dinner. Understanding the inevitable, the thing that Dylan and Norma denied for so long, Norman needs to die. Dylan makes a final attempt for sanity but it only sparks anger in Norman, who attacks him with a knife but is shot in the gut. His tombstone only reads his name, as opposed to Norma's, which is full of her personal qualities. And then the end.
I do not hate this ending as some people do, but I would agree that Dylan dying alongside his brother would make it more impactful and memorable. Based upon how dark this show's tone is, it seems like the perfect yet surprising ending. Dylan, the character of humanity and reason in this tale of craziness sacrifices himself to stop his brother. Even the final call with Emma only supports this ending. Yet it doesn't happen, and Dylan and Emma walk out as one the few surviving characters, even with a happy ending.
But my main problem is that this final episode kind of left other characters with no ending. They just didn't get any scenes after one point. Madeline was nowhere to be found, the sheriff pretty much just dropped off the face of the Earth after the first few minutes, and whoever Romero's old friend was made pretty much irrelevant. Will she ever find out if Romero died? The audience is left to figure that out for themselves.
Regardless of these issues, I still believe this has been a great season. It was very different from the previous 4 and tried many new things, introduced new characters that were interesting to watch, and gave a good enough ending for me. Although there are some problems, it didn't stop me enjoying the show any less. Bates Motel will be one of my favorite shows, and looking at the first episode compared to last episode really shows how far the characters have come throughout the five seasons. Good job creators, good job to everyone who helped make the show, and so long Bates Motel.
I originally rated this episode a 10 out of 10 once the end credits rolled. The more a I thought about it the more I saw the issues rise to the surface. To start things off, I think this episode went the way most fans expected it too. Not that that's a bad thing. The acting for this episode is top notch and the last few minutes before Norman's long predicted death was very disturbing. One of the final shots that show Norman lying in Dylan's arms and the corpse of Norma sitting at the dinner table was disturbing and captured the tone of the show. Yet I can't help feel as though Romero's final moments could have been handled better. It felt formulaic and predictable, even though when the gunshots rang out I really felt the impact of the situation.
Norman is gone at this point. He drives his mother's dead body to his home and makes himself believe he is back at the starting point of the show. His mind play tricks to make him think he can start over, to make things work out in the end. Then he calls Dylan, inviting him over for dinner. Understanding the inevitable, the thing that Dylan and Norma denied for so long, Norman needs to die. Dylan makes a final attempt for sanity but it only sparks anger in Norman, who attacks him with a knife but is shot in the gut. His tombstone only reads his name, as opposed to Norma's, which is full of her personal qualities. And then the end.
I do not hate this ending as some people do, but I would agree that Dylan dying alongside his brother would make it more impactful and memorable. Based upon how dark this show's tone is, it seems like the perfect yet surprising ending. Dylan, the character of humanity and reason in this tale of craziness sacrifices himself to stop his brother. Even the final call with Emma only supports this ending. Yet it doesn't happen, and Dylan and Emma walk out as one the few surviving characters, even with a happy ending.
But my main problem is that this final episode kind of left other characters with no ending. They just didn't get any scenes after one point. Madeline was nowhere to be found, the sheriff pretty much just dropped off the face of the Earth after the first few minutes, and whoever Romero's old friend was made pretty much irrelevant. Will she ever find out if Romero died? The audience is left to figure that out for themselves.
Regardless of these issues, I still believe this has been a great season. It was very different from the previous 4 and tried many new things, introduced new characters that were interesting to watch, and gave a good enough ending for me. Although there are some problems, it didn't stop me enjoying the show any less. Bates Motel will be one of my favorite shows, and looking at the first episode compared to last episode really shows how far the characters have come throughout the five seasons. Good job creators, good job to everyone who helped make the show, and so long Bates Motel.
Great ending for a great series.
loki_vina30 April 2017
Warning: Spoilers
So here we are, after 5 years, this is it. As expected, a lot of people are mad. Well, you all have your point. It's not an excellent ending, because it's not an excellent series. It's a great series, it's not excellent nor perfect.
I think the ending was pretty fitting, and I loved it. Oh, by the way, forget the movie. We're talking about BATES MOTEL.
Anyway, I think it was fitting. The series was way too dark from the beginning, we had a lot of dark f moments, and to finally have some sort of happiness in the middle of this mess is at least reassuring. Oh, you don't watch shows to be happy? Fine, if you want to get sad and cry, just go listen to some sad songs. This is a TV Show, and for what it is, it was a fine ending.
Now for the SPOILERS:
No I have not watched the movie, and honestly from all that is shown in the series, I don't think it's necessary. We have all the build up, all the masturbation needed to get to this point. Maybe the foreplay was a little too long(maybe? I think it was)... But with Norman's death it all seems just realistic. It would make no sense for him to continue on a killing spree, or to Dylan to just have dinner with him and Norma. Or to have Romero kill him, or to have him going to a mental institution. This is all boring and predictable. Him going out the same way as in the movie(so I heard), seems like a good and respectful way to end the series.
To me it would be disappointing if he would go to a mental institution, this would give way to a possible spin-off. Any other way that involves him again in a spin-off would be f idiotic. We had Norma and Norman Bates, and it was pretty good for 5 years, now let's all leave it all be like it is and move on.
All in all, great ending, great series.
I think the ending was pretty fitting, and I loved it. Oh, by the way, forget the movie. We're talking about BATES MOTEL.
Anyway, I think it was fitting. The series was way too dark from the beginning, we had a lot of dark f moments, and to finally have some sort of happiness in the middle of this mess is at least reassuring. Oh, you don't watch shows to be happy? Fine, if you want to get sad and cry, just go listen to some sad songs. This is a TV Show, and for what it is, it was a fine ending.
Now for the SPOILERS:
No I have not watched the movie, and honestly from all that is shown in the series, I don't think it's necessary. We have all the build up, all the masturbation needed to get to this point. Maybe the foreplay was a little too long(maybe? I think it was)... But with Norman's death it all seems just realistic. It would make no sense for him to continue on a killing spree, or to Dylan to just have dinner with him and Norma. Or to have Romero kill him, or to have him going to a mental institution. This is all boring and predictable. Him going out the same way as in the movie(so I heard), seems like a good and respectful way to end the series.
To me it would be disappointing if he would go to a mental institution, this would give way to a possible spin-off. Any other way that involves him again in a spin-off would be f idiotic. We had Norma and Norman Bates, and it was pretty good for 5 years, now let's all leave it all be like it is and move on.
All in all, great ending, great series.
What a great Reimagining of the Psycho (original movie) lore!
PatrickS7713 February 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Wow. I see a lot of boohoo with people disliking the finale, because it's not like the movie. Like many, I started to watch the show, because I love the movie (and like it's sequels) and it seemed intriguing to watch how Norman became Norman Bates (even though we already saw that in Psycho 4: The Beginning) and treated it like a prequel and came into it with a preconceived notion of what had to happen and of liking Norman and disliking Norma right away (based on the movies) and for the longest time expected the show to end shortly before the events of the movie (or preferrably with the shower scene), with everyone but Norman dead. But that doesn't do the show justice and to really appreciate it, you just have to realize, that it is a reimagining and not a prequel and, I say it again IT IS NOT A PREQUEL, and thus it is it's own thing (the fact that it is set in the 2010s, while the original is set in the 1950s/60s should be a giveaway THAT IT IS NOT A PREQUEL) and therefore doesn't have to closely follow and end up like the movie. And I think they did a great job in progressing the show.
While the first 2 seasons, for my taste, had a bit too much fat of unnecessary events, which veered too much from the main premise, it really focused and hit it's stride from season 3 on (which also was the season, where my disklike for Norman slowly, but surely started to grow (unlike in the movies where he's just an innocent tragic character). While inevitable, the show lost a bit with the death of Norma, who's demise had to happen eventually, it served to change up the story in a good way for the last season, to reach movie territory (and luckily there still was some of that Norma/Norman banter I've come to love and hate Norma for). I loved how they introduced Marion and played with viewer expectations and gave her that shower scene, but not made her the shower victim, which truly would have been lame and lazy writing (why would/should they recreate the same thing we already saw in the movie?).
The main thing I wasn't too fond of in the last season was the reappearance of Chick. There was way too much emphasis on this odd character and while it was satisfying to see Romero off him, it didn't make too much sense. What was the reason for Romero to kill him (and why was the tape with recordings of Norman's madness not brought into play)? Which brings me to another negative point of the finale. Are we really to believe that a seasoned cop like Romero would just turn his back to the Psycho, with his gun on the silver platter for Norman to grab and shot him? That character deserved so much more, than this pathetic way to die, due to his own stupidity. Highly disappointing. As was Emma's reaction to finding out that her mother died. Why does she blame and take it out on Dylan, who also just found out that he lost his mother too. She should know he is not responsible for Norman's actions, as he fooled her too. And speaking of Dylan, his flip flopping between wanting to lock Norman up and helping him to not get locked up and his deciscion to go into the house again, after narrowly surviving the first attack was a bit of a head scratcher, highly frustrating and nerve wrecker too, especially since I was fearing that this time he would not survive it. I'm so glad he didn't die and Norman met his end instead, which made the show end in a perfect way, the only way that really made sense and it was a great ride and satisfying and fitting reimagining of the Psycho lore.
The ones being pissed off at Norman's demise at a young age should just realise that for purists the Norman Bates story ends with the original movie anway and view the sequels as inferior and forgettable and Bates Motel IS NOT A PREQUEL.
While the first 2 seasons, for my taste, had a bit too much fat of unnecessary events, which veered too much from the main premise, it really focused and hit it's stride from season 3 on (which also was the season, where my disklike for Norman slowly, but surely started to grow (unlike in the movies where he's just an innocent tragic character). While inevitable, the show lost a bit with the death of Norma, who's demise had to happen eventually, it served to change up the story in a good way for the last season, to reach movie territory (and luckily there still was some of that Norma/Norman banter I've come to love and hate Norma for). I loved how they introduced Marion and played with viewer expectations and gave her that shower scene, but not made her the shower victim, which truly would have been lame and lazy writing (why would/should they recreate the same thing we already saw in the movie?).
The main thing I wasn't too fond of in the last season was the reappearance of Chick. There was way too much emphasis on this odd character and while it was satisfying to see Romero off him, it didn't make too much sense. What was the reason for Romero to kill him (and why was the tape with recordings of Norman's madness not brought into play)? Which brings me to another negative point of the finale. Are we really to believe that a seasoned cop like Romero would just turn his back to the Psycho, with his gun on the silver platter for Norman to grab and shot him? That character deserved so much more, than this pathetic way to die, due to his own stupidity. Highly disappointing. As was Emma's reaction to finding out that her mother died. Why does she blame and take it out on Dylan, who also just found out that he lost his mother too. She should know he is not responsible for Norman's actions, as he fooled her too. And speaking of Dylan, his flip flopping between wanting to lock Norman up and helping him to not get locked up and his deciscion to go into the house again, after narrowly surviving the first attack was a bit of a head scratcher, highly frustrating and nerve wrecker too, especially since I was fearing that this time he would not survive it. I'm so glad he didn't die and Norman met his end instead, which made the show end in a perfect way, the only way that really made sense and it was a great ride and satisfying and fitting reimagining of the Psycho lore.
The ones being pissed off at Norman's demise at a young age should just realise that for purists the Norman Bates story ends with the original movie anway and view the sequels as inferior and forgettable and Bates Motel IS NOT A PREQUEL.
😁😁😁
keanonkrause24 August 2021
Warning: Spoilers
Wow this was amazing had to watch the episode again cause I watched it my family and they couldn't stop talking and it spoiled the momment😡😡 but the second time I watched it got me crying for Norman's death.
Goodbye Norma,Romero and of course Norman😭😭 you will be missed by me.
Goodbye Norma,Romero and of course Norman😭😭 you will be missed by me.
Overrated episode, great series
dipanshuagrawal-0742723 October 2021
Warning: Spoilers
The series is great. Even the ending of most of the characters is fine. Coming to the finale episode, there are just so many things wrong in it.
First of all, police is looking for Norman all over the town but do not bother to look up to his house for one whole day. This seems just pathetic. How can the police of a town be so ignorant? This has been repeated throughout the series.
Secondly, Romero had a sad end. The character deserved a better ending than getting killed by Norman. Though, there weren't many options for him left because he got imprisoned for having affair with Rebecca of all crimes in the first place. But who cares about him so stop giving 10 star to this episode for him!
Good things happened are Dylan and Emma having good life ahead, Norma and Norman back together after death. Norman deserved to die I guess in my opinion after all that he had done in his "sane" and "insane" conditions.
Just gave 7 star due to a good series but this episode doesn't deserve more than 5 due to the above blunders.
First of all, police is looking for Norman all over the town but do not bother to look up to his house for one whole day. This seems just pathetic. How can the police of a town be so ignorant? This has been repeated throughout the series.
Secondly, Romero had a sad end. The character deserved a better ending than getting killed by Norman. Though, there weren't many options for him left because he got imprisoned for having affair with Rebecca of all crimes in the first place. But who cares about him so stop giving 10 star to this episode for him!
Good things happened are Dylan and Emma having good life ahead, Norma and Norman back together after death. Norman deserved to die I guess in my opinion after all that he had done in his "sane" and "insane" conditions.
Just gave 7 star due to a good series but this episode doesn't deserve more than 5 due to the above blunders.
Season 5 rushed, disjointed with inconsistent characterizations.
papazuludelta25 April 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Apparently, according to the (current) 9.7 rating of this episode, a lot of people liked it. I just wanted to come here and log my protest in solidarity with others who had problems with it. Things really started going south for me in the episode when the shower stabbing was of an unlikable male. Also I found both Romero's and Dylan's behavior completely out of sync with their previous character arcs. The only really engaging character in the last few episodes for me was Sheriff Jane Greene. She just seemed poised to become a sort of Marge Gunderson (Fargo) type figure. She even had her own particular sort of unassuming adorableness to compliment the savvy policing instinct. Then suddenly things just shifted into "wrap-it-up" mode and her role ended abortively. I loved every season of this show but not this final fifth season. Disjointed, inconsistent, disappointing.
How disappointing!
fradila26 April 2017
Warning: Spoilers
So THIS is the end??
How disappointing.
------------SPOILERS------------
First of all I don't get why Romero has to die like that.. in that stupid way. It's so unlike him! I understand that he's overwhelmed by the emotion of seeing Norma's body, but still... And if he really had to die, why it has to happen without a single bit of empathy from "Mother"? Caleb's death was much less cold and squalid than this.. AWFUL.
Second: why don't let Dylan know that Norman murdered their Mother AND caused his father Caleb's death?
Third: Too much forgiveness and empathy for "poor" Norman and nothing for all his victims (included Romero.. he took his happiness, before than his life). Norman, not the Mother, killed Norma!
BAH!
I'll try to forget this stupid, meaningless and awful last episode to still appreciate the others. The first four series are awesome.
That's too bad.
How disappointing.
------------SPOILERS------------
First of all I don't get why Romero has to die like that.. in that stupid way. It's so unlike him! I understand that he's overwhelmed by the emotion of seeing Norma's body, but still... And if he really had to die, why it has to happen without a single bit of empathy from "Mother"? Caleb's death was much less cold and squalid than this.. AWFUL.
Second: why don't let Dylan know that Norman murdered their Mother AND caused his father Caleb's death?
Third: Too much forgiveness and empathy for "poor" Norman and nothing for all his victims (included Romero.. he took his happiness, before than his life). Norman, not the Mother, killed Norma!
BAH!
I'll try to forget this stupid, meaningless and awful last episode to still appreciate the others. The first four series are awesome.
That's too bad.
An intensely brilliant series totally RUINED by changing the mythos.
glengrefe29 April 2017
Warning: Spoilers
The series was classic and brilliant up until the ending; an amazing roller-coaster ride.
A quick note: I rarely do reviews and even rarer ever complain about creative works publicly.
But I have to say this ending was a slap in everyone's face and this face slap pain is multiplied by a number that is so high it equals a disappointment of 5 years of our invested time.
DO NOT ever mess with a legendary mythos and story that's already in place.
The ending of having the character of Norman die at his young age - contrary to the established story-line previous to the start of Bates Motel (the real story is he went to the mental health facility and was released years later for adventures in Psycho 2-4 with the inimitable Anthony Perkins) was egotistical, offensive to fans and former creators and complete asinine bullshit. Shame on you, schmucks.
A quick note: I rarely do reviews and even rarer ever complain about creative works publicly.
But I have to say this ending was a slap in everyone's face and this face slap pain is multiplied by a number that is so high it equals a disappointment of 5 years of our invested time.
DO NOT ever mess with a legendary mythos and story that's already in place.
The ending of having the character of Norman die at his young age - contrary to the established story-line previous to the start of Bates Motel (the real story is he went to the mental health facility and was released years later for adventures in Psycho 2-4 with the inimitable Anthony Perkins) was egotistical, offensive to fans and former creators and complete asinine bullshit. Shame on you, schmucks.
Prequels should complement, not replace.
kemority26 April 2017
Warning: Spoilers
Perhaps I just over-hyped this episode, and season, in my head. This went from a prequel to a completely different story.
* The first red flag was when they introduced Marion (and who was cast) when they did, and altered that story. But, I rolled with it.
* Then they decided to give Sam more story than Stefano did, and introduced his wife (looking eerily similar to Norma). Still, I rolled with it.
* Did they not learn from Gus Van Sant that the "shower scene" cannot be duplicated (and again in color, and without Herrmann's score)? They did and despite making it "their own" it was disappointing.
The ending I would have wanted was an abbreviated overlap of the movie, the final shot with Marion in the shower, Mother opening the door and stepping up to the curtain, then the screen going black concurrent to the sound of the curtain being yanked open.
* The first red flag was when they introduced Marion (and who was cast) when they did, and altered that story. But, I rolled with it.
* Then they decided to give Sam more story than Stefano did, and introduced his wife (looking eerily similar to Norma). Still, I rolled with it.
* Did they not learn from Gus Van Sant that the "shower scene" cannot be duplicated (and again in color, and without Herrmann's score)? They did and despite making it "their own" it was disappointing.
The ending I would have wanted was an abbreviated overlap of the movie, the final shot with Marion in the shower, Mother opening the door and stepping up to the curtain, then the screen going black concurrent to the sound of the curtain being yanked open.
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