REVIEW: Bates Motel, Season 5 Episode One 'Dark Paradise'

 REVIEW: Bates Motel, Season 5 Episode One 'Dark Paradise'

The fifth season of Bates Motel is essentially like a soft reboot. For the past four seasons we have seen Norman (Freddie Highmore) and a very much alive Norma Bates (Vera Farmiga) living together in the motel. Fast forward to the current situation in Bates Motel, and Norma is now dead, having been succumbed to carbon monoxide poisoning by Norman in the previous season's penultimate episode. 

It's a decision that ultimately allows us to dig further still into Norman's psych, as we are witness to his visions of 'Mother'. It's all so kooky and ethereal, as we are divvy to Norman's point of view, seeing how he sees his mother doing various household chores such as vacuuming or cooking a meal, when in reality she's obviously not there. Norman's gone fully off the rails by this point, and I don't think even the psychiatric doctor at the care home would be able to help him now. 

Norman pays a visit to the hardware store to pick up a few things for the motel, where he bumps into Madeleine Loom (Isabelle McNally). This is a very interesting new romance for Norman, as I think he sees something of his mother in her. With her blonde hair and general dress code she has a very similar look to Norma - albeit younger; you can see exactly why he would gravitate towards her. It plays to how Norman very much hasn't moved on from his mother's death, as he's still seeing her in his life wherever he turns. 

There's a central mystery to this episode, and that concerns a man who came visiting from New Orleans. Norman finds his wallet and has no recollection of checking him in at the motel. The reality, as you'd expect, is disturbing, as we discover Norman had one of his blackouts and stabbed him under the pretence of 'Mother'. Whilst the reveal isn't particularly surprising, it's hugely effective, as it feels true to the narrative stylings of the original film. 

The other aspect that works narratively speaking is how the visions of Mother interact with Norman. There are little hints here and there at how it's his subconscious talking, the most clear one being when Norma forbids Norman from driving because of his blackouts. This was something that formed a whole episode when Norma was alive, and Norman had turned up at the driving school for his driving test, and to see it echoed here therefore makes so much sense. Because it's not Norma talking, it's Norman's subconscious. What Norman remembers of his Mother. You can see the attention being paid here to the rules of the world that have been set up, with 'Mother' only being able to say or do what Norman believes she would.

Someone who I imagine must wish he still has Norma around is Alex Romero (Nestor Carbonell). The poor man has gone from the police sheriff of the town to an arrested criminal, stuck in prison with the other inmates. There's a cruel irony to all this, as the man who brought down the law has essentially become the very people he was fighting. You kind of find yourself hoping for his early release, as he's not a bad guy in the slightest. He doesn't deserve this punishment.

On a happier note, Dylan (Max Thieriot) and Emma (Olivia Cooke) seem to be doing a lot better in life than Alex. Here we learn of their new family life, having given birth to a baby daughter, and they seem much happier than any other character in Bates Motel. Even when Caleb (Kenny Johnson) turns up out of the blue, they are happy with him, even though I personally would tell him to bog off after what he did to Norma. In a show as dark as this one, it's nice to see glimmers of light like this, as it would be unrealistic for everyone to be struggling in some shape or form.

Overall, 'Dark Paradise' is a fantastic opener to Bates Motel's fifth season. It sets the new status quo for the final series extremely well, whilst also giving us an update on the characters of Alex Romero, Dylan Bates and Emma Decody. Let's just hope neither of those three set foot in a shower anytime soon...

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