REVIEW: Bates Motel, Season 1 Episode Seven 'The Man At Number 9'

 REVIEW: Bates Motel, Season 1 Episode Seven 'The Man At Number 9'

In the grand world of cinema, there are some films that develop a certain level of prestige. These films make life increasingly difficult for new adaptations to reach the same level of success, as they are constantly within the original's shadows. Psycho is one of them, and has already had its struggles with new versions failing to reach the same heights. I was, therefore, hesitant when I first started watching Bates Motel. Would it be another disaster to befall the classic horror, or would it somehow manage to recapture the spirit of the original?

Well thankfully, Bates Motel is actually very good. It feels weird seeing a young Norman Bates going to school, trying to make friends and having sexual fantasies in bed, but it helps us to dive deep into this iconic horror villain, and discover exactly how he ended up the way he did.

Freddie Highmore's performance as Norman is startlingly close to Anthony Perkins. He plays the role so perfectly that it feels like we are truly watching how a young Norman Bates would actually be. It is the very definition of how to perfectly cast your lead actor, and I doubt they could have got it any more perfect.

Equally as captivating to watch is Vera Farmiga as Norman's infamous mother, Norma Bates. She demonstrates some deep sinister undertones that make it clear that in terms of family family dynamics, it is very much 'Like mother, like son'.

By this point in the series, I doubt it would be controversial to state that Bates Motel occupies a very murky world. Seven episodes in and there have been murders, kidnappings and rape galore. This is even apparent when the police turn up at the motel to investigate the 911 call made at the end of the previous episode. The Bates family are quizzed regarding the events that took place, and what transpires really made me sympathise with Dylan (Max Thieriot). This police officer spins a fake story that twist Dylan's brave antics into being his own, and thereby stealing his heroic actions under his nose. This police officer's decision to take all the glory when Dylan risked it all feels so harsh and brutal, and further seeks to establish the corruption at the heart of Bates Motel.

This episode of the show also sees Norman take on the responsibilities of a pet dog, and you really have to worry for any pooch who finds himself under the care of somebody so mentally disturbed. As a dog lover, I find that a canine addition to a horror story really helps to elevate the stakes, as a dog is the last living being I wish to see fall victim to a horrifying threat. The dog's fate turns out to be more tragic rather than spooky, as it seems Norman cared a great deal about the dog, and the episode really makes you care for what has been lost here.

On a more entertaining side, there's something both funny and surreal about seeing Norma give Norman the talk about the birds and the bees. I never expected I would be watching a series where that would be a thing I would type on the internet, but here we are, with Norma giving Norman the talk and warning him off his girlfriend Bradley.

I can't say I trust the motel's first customer Jake Abernathy (Jere Burns) one bit. There's something a little creepy about him and his association with the rapist Keith Summers from the first episode, and I have a feeling another murder could be on the cards.

Overall, this was another excellent episode of Bates Motel, with some strong performances and great moments between Norman and his mother Norma. The dog made for a nice addition to the cast, and I am intrigued to see where the Bates Motel's first customer Jake goes. It can't be long before another murder occurs at the iconic motel...

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What are your thoughts on Bates Motel's seventh episode? Let me know in the comments section.