REVIEW: Bates Motel, Season 2 Episode Six 'Plunge'

 REVIEW: Bates Motel, Season 2 Episode Six 'Plunge'

As twists go, the ending to the previous episode of Bates Motel had one hell of a reveal. Previously we had been led to believe that Dylan's (Max Thierot) boss in the drug gang was Zane (Michael Eklund); this was until episode five, where we were introduced to the real person in charge. Step forward, Zane's sister Jodi (Kathleen Robertson).

This episode picks up straight away from that reveal, with a now wheelchair-bound Dylan being taken by Jodi to her home. And it's a really intriguing glimpse into this real drugs boss is. She doesn't seem like the rough and ready type of person you would automatically assume this type of person to be. Instead she appears caring and compassionate, with a sarcastic streak, as she helps Dylan recover from the accident. The pair even engage in a romantic fling, which suggests an interesting romantic partnership could be on the cards. Jodi seems a really fascinating addition for sure.

The other resident drug lord Nick Ford (Michael O' Neill) also appears in this episode, when Norma (Vera Farmiga) confronts him upon having learned from Alex Romero (Nestor Carbonell) about his criminal dealings. The power Norma has in these scenes is staggering; she very clearly is not a woman to be messed with, and Vera Farmiga plays it with such intensity that you feel the menace within her voice. I think if I was Nick, I'd be very worried right now.

Which is maybe one of the reasons why he put in a good word for her with mayor Rob Woodriff (Andrew Airlie). There's something very shady going on there, as Christine (Rebecca Creskoff) and George Heldens (Michael Vartan) also sing her praises to Rob, and I'm interested to find out why they are so desperate for her to take Lee Berman's place on the council. I reckon the three of them are conspiring to take down those in power in the town, and that they were behind Lee's dodgy car crash, and I can't wait to find out if my theory is right.

Norman (Freddie Highmore) has another one of his strange blackouts here, once again in the presence of current girlfriend Cody (Paloma Kwiatkowski), and these blackouts by far are some of the most impressively shot sequences in the whole show. There's a real harsh and rough feel to the angles that they utilise, almost like an attempt to emulate a steadicam effect, and it means these scenes possess a raw ferocity that conveys real power to the images that Norman is seeing in his mind. You get a sense that Norman's past has really affected his mental state of mind, as we see him hiding in a cupboard with his Mum from somebody in a bad temper outside. He's one very disturbed individual for sure.

Cody has a lot to answer for in this instalment, as her reckless behaviour almost sees Emma (Olivia Cooke) killed. This happens after Cody takes Norman to a tranquil swimming spot, which coincidentally Emma also visits at the same time with her own boyfriend, Gunner (Keenan Tracey). They decide to play this game where they swing on a rope and land in the water, and Cody not only persuades Emma to give it a go after the others insist her disability would not make it safe for her to do it, but actually willingly passes her the rope. Poor Emma nearly drowns, and we get a great scene when Norman berates Cody for allowing her to do it. Freddie Highmore's fierce betrayal is just so raw and believable; his performance imbues this more psychotic energy which we know Norman possesses, and you really get a sense of how dangerous this guy is. You actually begin to feel a little nervous for Cody, because if he really is this angry at her, who knows what he could do?

This episode does end very badly, in fact - although not for Cody. In a squabble between Cody, Norman and Cody's Dad Jimmy (Michael J Rodgers), Norman ends up accidentally sending Cody's father down the stairs, and killing him in the process. This is yet another thrilling cliffhanger for a Bates Motel episode to end on, with so much promise for the next episode. Now Norman has another death to cover up, and the cliffhanger leaves a real punch precisely because of where the characters of Norman and Cody are now. Just how are these two going to hide this murder without arousing the suspicions of Norma and Emma, who both know about Norman's blackouts and therefore have reason to blame it on him, should they find out about the death of Cody's Dad?

Overall, 'Plunge' is another fantastic episode of Bates Motel. With some intriguing developments, superb acting and captivating cliffhanger, this episode is one that is sure to leave an impression on many a viewer. Well, if you don't possess Norman's blackouts, that is.

For those of you who follow my Whovian TV posts, The Graham Norton Show is now confirmed to be airing at 10:45pm tonight on BBC1.

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What are your thoughts on the sixth episode of Bates Motel's second season? Let me know in the comments section.