EPISODE 1: Gone But Not Forgotten
CHECKING IN: Norman is pining over the death of Mrs Watson, Norma tries to stop that bypass from being built, the one that would isolate the Motel and ruin her business while Bradley searches for her dad's killer and pops a few caps.
THE ROOM: And Bates Motel Season 2 begins! Yeehaw! Although it was swell to see the whole gang again, specifically Norma (Vera Farminga) who once again stole an entire episode all by her lonesome, I can't say that I was bowled over by this first chapter of Season 2! Expectations can be a fickle bitch. With that I am very much aware that this first episode was basically setting up its many and sure to be mucho convoluted plot lines for the run to come hence I won't be too harsh on it. NOTE: Some of the new plot lines were set up in a very subtle fashion, so much so, that I only picked up on them afterwards, when thinking back at the show. Damn you sly Bates Motel, damn you! 🙂
Gone But Not Forgotten didn't have the impact I wish it would have had because for the most part it didn't do much with Norman (he stuffs dead animals and keeps thinking of Mrs Watson) or the ackward yet fascinating relationshp he has with mother.
It fairly focused on one of the least interesting plotlines of the show for me: the Bradley (Nicole Martin) character and the big question that comes with her: who killed her dad? It looked like that was resolved via the ending of the episode, but I have a feeling they're gonna milk that plotline for all it's worth and that it will tie up with some other plotline down the road; but hey I am all for that, as that would jack up its power. Cause by itself, it doesn't do much for me. At least Bradley has become a more interesting character since her attempted suicide. I'm always a sucker for a female vigilante 🙂
But yeah, I am definately more interested in Mrs. Watson's murder and if good old Norman (Freddy Highmore) did it or not (my money is on no, they're trying too hard to make us think that he did it, with him having her pearl necklace and such) and that mysterious stranger that was at the grave. Who was that freaking guy? Watson's lover? The one she was fighting on the phone with the night she died? Hmmm… too easy for a show like this. Time will tell…
But don't get me wrong here, I still enjoyed the episode. Norma teaching Norman how to drive was gold and even though Emma, Romero (who I think is starting to crush big time on Norma) and Dylan didn't have much to do; their presence was esteeemed anyways. At least this episode graced us with a wonderful Norma Vs. the City Coucil bit which made way for classic lines such as this one: “Welcome to the world, ladies! There are axe murderers and whores stuffed under every rug, so your kids better educate themselves!” Ahhh Norma… how I missed that sexy and crazy broad! This episode started the motor; now it's time to rev it up! The Vacancy sign is on bitches! Welcome back Bates Motel!
RANDOM THOUGHTS: So why didn't Romero give a shite about the pictures of the dude at the grave Norman brought him? Does Romero already know who whacked Mrs Watson?
When is Norma's brother (the one that molested her, as revealed in Season 1) gonna surface? Was that him at the grave? When's Michael Vartan gonna show up? So much to look forward to…
RATING ON 10
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