REVIEW: Bates Motel, Season 2 Episode Seven 'Presumed Innocent'
REVIEW: Bates Motel, Season 2 Episode Seven 'Presumed Innocent'
In a world as murky as Bates Motel, it's no surprise that there would be an air of distrust among many of the characters. Presumed Innocent is the episode that really demonstrates that lack of trust. This is a series where everyone is being eyed wearily, and everyone is a suspect in one corner of this grand narrative.
At the end of the previous episode, Norman (Freddie Highmore) committed another murder. Only this one was an accident. Cody's (Paloma Kwiatkowski) Dad fell down the stairs after a brief fight ended with Norman accidentally sending the man to his death. Nobody seems to be taking his word for it at the police station however, with both sheriff Alex Romero (Nestor Campbell) and Deputy Patty Lin (Agam Darshi) casting doubt - and honestly, I like this decision. Usually these sort of characters just accept that these killers can't be killers, so it makes a refreshing change of pace for police workers in a drama series to be a little less trusting. Here we learn that Deputy Patty Lin even used a trace of Norman's DNA to test it alongside the DNA they found from Blaire Watson's murder, and it means for once the police in a television drama actually look competent. A rarity for sure on TV.
Even Norman's own mother Norma Bates (Vera Farmiga) doesn't fully trust her son, and it makes for some great character drama, bringing in to the equation how Norma has been purposefully withholding information from Norman regarding his blackouts, and thereby giving Norman himself a reason to lose faith in both his own actions and in his Mum. Norma really isn't the person who Norman holds this pedestal up to, and it feels like the groundwork is truly being set here for when Norman eventually kills his mother.
That moment of dominance is a long way off however, as Norma is still very much in control of her son. Once again, she wades in and has a word with Cody, pleading that she tells the police nothing regarding Norman's black-outs. I've enjoyed this antagonistic relationship between Norma and Cody. It has been quite engrossing to watch, being sort of the opposite of the way Norma took Emma (Olivia Cooke) under her wings as soon as her son started spending time with her, and Cody makes for a great rival for Norma.
So it's a shame that this episode seems to be her exit. Cody and Norman get a sweet and emotional goodbye scene as Cody drives off to her new life, and it will be sad to presumably not see her pop up in future episodes of the show. Paloma Kwiatkowski and Freddie Highmore have displayed so much chemistry, and I could have easily watched more of the pair's romance.
It certainly did not take long for Zane (Michael Eklund to work out that his sister and requested Dylan to keep an eye on him. Dylan is in big trouble for sure, and he's certainly left in quite a state when he refuses to join Zane in raiding Nick Ford's house. It is one of the most fascinating elements of Bates Motel though. Seeing what happens when somebody falls into the wrong crowd, and gets entangled in such a dangerous web makes for some thrilling sequences, and it will be interesting to see how it develops further now that he's on such bad terms with Zane.
Overall, 'Presumed Innocent' is another incredible forty minutes of television. It's an episode that heavily features a great level of distrust that leaves you hooked throughout, and is complimented by some amazing performances all around. It's just a shame this seems to be the last episode for Cody. That character deserves a brighter future on the show for sure.
To have future posts delivered direct to your inbox, click the three lines at the top and register for email notifications via the 'Follow by Email' box.
What are your thoughts on the seventh episode of Bates Motel's second season? Let me know in the comments section.
Comments
Post a Comment