REVIEW: Bates Motel, Series 5 Episode Four 'Hidden'

 REVIEW: Bates Motel, Series 5 Episode Four 'Hidden'

The previous episode ended with two surprising narrative twists. First there was Caleb's death, as Chick (Ryan Hurst) accidentally ran him over on the way to the motel. And then there was Sheriff Alex Romero (Nestor Carbonell), accidentally shot in the stomach by a scared child. Both left things rather uncertain in the world of Bates Motel, with a dead body to be deposed of and a man whose story hadn't finished in a potentially fatal situation. The first of these sees Chick agree to get rid of the body, and he does so in style. He gives Caleb a funeral pyre, which is definitely more than he deserved. These scenes are beautifully shot, with a vibrancy to proceedings which allows the cinematography to come to life. Bates Motel cover-ups have never looked this good. Less successful is the resolution to Alex Romero's predicament. Somehow he's able to run through a forest and find a telephone box to call for help whilst harbouring a gun shot wound in the stomach. He must literally be Superman, because he clearly has superhuman strength in order to do that. To be fair though, it's a rare bit of inconsistency for a show that's otherwise very consistent. Norman's (Freddie Highmore) romance with Madeleine (Isabelle McNally) gets somewhat creepy this episode, as he actually seeks to get her dressing like Noma (Vera Farmiga). He's essentially just wanting to use her similar appearance to Norma to model her into looking like a younger version of his mother, which harkens back to the sinister sexualisation of his relationship with Norma in past seasons. It fits with what we've seen previously that Norman would actually opt to go out with someone who looks like his mother, as it fits his mindset and world view. It leads to an amazing jump scare, when Madeleine's close resemblance to Norma leads to Norman getting a vision of 'Mother' stabbing her to death. This is probably the most disturbing glimpse the creative team have given into Norman's mind, as we see the full extent of the way he perceives 'Mother's murders. It's grim and horrific, and keeps you on tenterhooks wondering if Madeleine will be his next victim.

Or maybe it will be the new Sheriff, Jane Greene (Brooke Smith)? She's asking way too many questions regarding Jim's disappearance, and it's surely only a matter of time before Norman cracks. It's the equivalent of a fish swimming around a shark, and expecting not to get eaten. Eventually the shark will come for the fish and swallow it hole. She's quite a stark contrast to Alex Romero, with a more serious approach to her work, but she feels strongly characterised, and I look forward to seeing more of her. Her probing regarding Jim is what leads to Norman setting out to get rid of Jim's car, which 'Mother' left in the forest. The scene takes a very dark turn, as Norman sees himself killing 'Mother', only for her to instantly resurrect. This episode is probably the best for the horror element so far, as it is extremely effective at creating quite a spooky vibe, and utilising its lead character to his most grisly potential. Overall, 'Hidden' is another incredible episode of Bates Motel. Whilst the resolve of Alex's gun shot wound is disappointingly farcical, the rest of the episode is as strong as ever, with some of the show's creepiest moments thus far. Bates Motel continues to be a show that you absolutely must watch at some point in your life, as it's one that has clearly been made with a lot of love and passion.

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