Bates Motel (season 3)

Bates Motel (season 3)

Promotional poster and home media cover art
Country of origin United States
No. of episodes 10
Release
Original network A&E
Original release March 9 (2015-03-09) – May 11, 2015 (2015-05-11)

The third season of Bates Motel consisted of 10 episodes and premiered on A&E on March 9, 2015. The season aired on Mondays at 9 p.m. ET/PT, and concluded on May 11, 2015. The series itself is described as a "contemporary prequel" to the 1960 film Psycho, following the life of Norman Bates and his mother Norma prior to the events portrayed in the Hitchcock film.[1] The series takes place in the fictional town of White Pine Bay, Oregon.

The season received positive reviews from television critics,[2] and the premiere episode drew in a total of 2.14 million viewers.[3] For their performances in this season, Vera Farmiga and Freddie Highmore were nominated for Critics' Choice Television Awards for Best Actress and Best Actor in a Drama Series, respectively.[4] Season 3 ranked fourth on Nielsen's year-end list of top Live + 7 day programs, gaining an average of 201.8% viewers on DVR.[5] The season was released on Blu-ray and DVD on October 13, 2015.[6]

Plot

Soon after the events of the second season, Norman Bates (Freddie Highmore) begins his senior year at school. He experiences hallucinations there, so his mother, Norma Louise (Vera Farmiga), decides to homeschool him. After Norma's mother dies, her brother Caleb (Kenny Johnson) returns to town, seeking to bond with Dylan (Max Thieriot). Norman takes a liking to new guest, Annika Johnson (Tracy Spiridakos), but she later goes missing. When searching Annika's motel room, Norma finds an invitation to a gentlemen's club. She infiltrates the club, but Sheriff Romero (Nestor Carbonell) catches her and promises to look for Annika. Romero later asks Norma to identify a woman's body, and she is relieved that it is not Annika.

Romero meets with Bob Paris (Kevin Rahm), who runs the gentlemen's club, to get information about Annika. Norma meets psychology professor James Finnigan (Joshua Leonard), who offers her his assistance. Norman has a blackout and submerges himself in a bathtub, hoping to recall whether he had anything to do with Annika's disappearance. Norma saves him from drowning, then goes to lock up the motel. Annika arrives with a gunshot wound, gives Norma a USB flash drive, and dies. Norma is determined to access the password protected flash drive, and asks Dylan to help decrypt it.

Norman follows Dylan to his cabin one night, discovering Caleb. He threatens to tell their mother, but Dylan begs him not to spoil the good relationship he has been building with her. Bob ransacks the motel office in search of the USB drive. Later, a man runs Norma off the road and tells her to give Bob the flash drive. Dylan insists that Norma should give the USB to Romero. Norman becomes confused over recent events, thinking he has already told Norma about Caleb when he hasn't. Romero meets with Bob again, who admits he wants the flash drive back but won't reveal its contents. Dylan's friend Gunner (Keenan Tracey) decrypts the USB, finding a financial ledger inside from the town's illegal drug trade.

Bob agrees to a motel billboard near the bypass in exchange for the USB. When Norma is told of Caleb's return, she packs a suitcase and storms out. Arriving in Portland, she buys a new outfit, trades her car, and ends up at James' house, where she confesses that Norman killed his father during one of his blackouts. Dylan struggles with Norman's separation anxiety, which includes an episode where Norman assumes Norma's personality and wears her robe. Romero is shot and hospitalized; Marcus Young (Adetomiwa Edun) visits and tells him that his time as sheriff is nearing an end. Romero follows Marcus to the parking garage and kills him. Norma realizes that she is still a mother and returns home. She honors her sons' wishes to meet with Caleb, who breaks down and apologizes upon seeing her.

Dylan grows closer to Emma (Olivia Cooke), learning from her father that she is a lot sicker than she lets on. Romero discovers his mother's name on the ledger and confronts his father in jail. His father used his mother's name in order to get drugs into the prison. After being attacked by Norman, James tells Norma that he needs help. Norma cooks a family dinner in order to get closer to Norman. She invites Caleb, whose presence angers Norman, and Dylan invites Emma. Bob abducts and tortures James to get information about Norma. He then tells Romero about Norma's relationship with James, and that Norman killed his father. Romero ends his friendship with Norma when she maintains that her husband died in an accident.

James tells Norma that he told Bob everything, and skips town. Dylan takes a risky job in order to gain money for Emma's lung transplant. Following a blackout, Norman discovers Bradley (Nicola Peltz) has returned to town. After finding out that her mother has quickly recovered after her "death", Bradley initiates sex with Norman, but he envisions Norma there and leaves. Norma tells Bob she'll give him the flash drive, but he states that she has nothing left to bargain with. Desperate, Norma ransacks Romero's house to find the USB, only to learn from Romero that the DEA is investigating it. Their heated argument hinges on her stating the truth about her husband's death. She ultimately says that they both know who killed him.

Before Caleb leaves town again, he tells Norma about Norman assuming her personality and attacking him. Dylan gives Emma's father the money for her lung transplant, but later gets a call from him saying that Emma has disappeared. Dylan finds her, and she informs him of her fears about the surgery; the two then kiss. Romero calls Bob to warn him of his impending arrest. Bob goes to the marina and finds Romero there, who shoots him dead. Norman plans to leave town with Bradley and argues with his mother about his mental state. She knocks Norman unconscious and drags him to the basement. Norman escapes and runs off with Bradley. In Norma's persona, he pulls Bradley out of the car and kills her. He then rolls the car into the bay, as he and his "mother" watch it submerge.

Cast and characters

Main

Vera Farmiga, Freddie Highmore, and Max Thieriot (left to right) portray leading roles Norma Louise Bates, Norman Bates, and Dylan Massett, respectively, who appear in all episodes.
Nestor Carbonell, Kenny Johnson, and Nicola Peltz (left to right) portray Sheriff Alex Romero, Caleb Calhoun, and Bradley Martin, respectively.

Recurring

Guest

Production

Casting

In July 2014, it was announced that Nicola Peltz would be returning to the series as Bradley Martin following an 8-episode absence in season 2.[7] Kenny Johnson was upgraded to the main cast after recurring as Caleb Calhoun, Norma's brother, in the second season.[8] On October 17, 2014, Ryan Hurst was cast in the recurring role of Chick Hogan, described as a character that will butt heads with Caleb throughout the season.[9] Tracy Spiridakos was then confirmed to star in the recurring role of Annika Johnson, a guest at the motel.[10] On October 22, 2014, Kevin Rahm joined the cast as Bob Paris, one of Romero's childhood friends whom he now has a strained relationship with.[11] In November 2014, Joshua Leonard was cast in the recurring role of James Finnigan, a community college psychology professor who forms a connection with Norma.[12]

Filming

The series is filmed on location in Aldergrove, British Columbia. At the beginning of the first season, a replica of the original Bates Motel set from the film Psycho was built on 272nd Street.[13][14] Principal photography for season 3 began on October 20, 2014 in Vancouver and the surrounding areas,[15] and was completed on March 1, 2015.[16] During an interview in June 2015, Farmiga revealed that she was injured while filming the final scene of the season with Nicola Peltz and Freddie Highmore, resulting in her having to go to the emergency room.[17]

Episodes
No.
overall		 No. in
season		 Title Directed by Written by Original air date U.S. viewers
(millions)
211"A Death in the Family"Tucker GatesCarlton Cuse & Kerry EhrinMarch 9, 2015 (2015-03-09)2.14[3]
Summer has passed. Norman, now a high school senior starting his first day, hallucinates Miss Blair Watson, the teacher he previously killed back in season 1. Because of this, Norma decides to homeschool him to keep a closer eye on him. Dylan confronts Norma about letting Norman sleep in her bed, and, as a result, she sets some boundaries with Norman. Meanwhile, Norma learns that her estranged mother has recently died. She initially doesn't show emotion, but later softens. Her brother Caleb returns to town, seeking to bond with Dylan, now the only family he has left. Although Norman takes an immediate interest in the motel's new guest, Annika Johnson, he decides to finally ask Emma out on a date, seeking normalcy. Emma also decides to leave school and join Norman in homeschooling as well.
222"The Arcanum Club"Tucker GatesKerry EhrinMarch 16, 2015 (2015-03-16)1.91[18]
Norma becomes curious when Annika goes missing, especially after Norman lied about not being with her and Emma stating otherwise. Norma and Emma investigate Annika's motel room, where they find an invitation to the Arcanum Club, a gentlemen's club on the outskirts of town. Norma infiltrates the club's grounds, only to be caught by Sheriff Romero, who offers to look for Annika. On the way home, Norma mows down the bypass construction sign with her car. Meanwhile, Norman and Emma go on their first date and discuss sex as an important step into adulthood. Chick Hogan, who lives over the hill from Dylan's cabin, comes to visit and discusses the "crops".
233"Persuasion"Tim SouthamSteve Kornacki & Alyson EvansMarch 23, 2015 (2015-03-23)1.92[19]
Sheriff Romero asks Norma to come to the morgue to identify a woman's body. Norma is relieved that it is not Annika, but worries because she is still missing. Romero meets with Bob Paris, who runs the Arcanum Club, who mentions the upcoming sheriff election as a threat. Meanwhile, Norma decides to go take a business course at a local community college, but inadvertently enters a psychology class. The professor, James Finnigan, offers her his future assistance. At home, Norman becomes increasingly frustrated that his mother doesn't trust him and blacks out, submerging himself in a bathtub, hoping to recall the events before Annika's disappearance so as to see if he had anything to do with it. Norma saves him, then locks up the motel. Annika arrives with a gunshot wound to the abdomen. She gives Norma a USB drive before dying, telling Norma to use it to save herself and her son.
244"Unbreak-Able"Christopher NelsonErica LipezMarch 30, 2015 (2015-03-30)1.71[20]
Norma is adamant to learn what is on the USB drive, which is password protected. She asks for Dylan's help in the decryption. Norman grows more suspicious over Annika's death and the secrecy between his mother and brother. Emma tries to calm him by inviting him on a picnic, during which he mentions Norma's suggestion that he shouldn't have sex with the ailing Emma. Furious, Emma tells Norman that only she herself best understands her own limits, then storms off. Meanwhile, Caleb injures himself at the cabin, and Dylan tends to him, learning more about his family's history. Norman follows Dylan, discovers Caleb, and threatens to tell their mother that Dylan has been betraying her. Dylan begs him not to spoil the good relationship he has been struggling to build with her, but Norman doesn't listen. Elsewhere, Bob Paris begins looking for the USB drive by ransacking the motel office.
255"The Deal"Nestor CarbonellScott KosarApril 6, 2015 (2015-04-06)1.76[21]
A man causes Norma to get into a car accident, telling her to call Bob Paris and give him the USB drive. Dylan meets Norma at the hospital and insists on giving the flash drive to Romero. Meanwhile, Norman gets confused over recent events, thinking Norma had left in a different dress, and that he had already told her about Caleb when he hasn't. He steals a dress from Norma's closet. Romero meets with Bob, who admits to looking for the USB drive but does not reveal its contents. Gunner finds and decrypts the flash drive to reveal a financial ledger splitting up an investment return of at least $15 million (illegal revenue from the town's drug trade). Norma tells Romero, and the two visit Bob, who agrees to a billboard for the motel near the bypass in exchange for the USB. When her sons calmly try to explain that Caleb has been staying with Dylan, an enraged Norma packs a suitcase, gun included, and storms out.
266"Norma Louise"Phil AbrahamKerry EhrinApril 13, 2015 (2015-04-13)1.69[22]
Norma travels to Portland, Oregon, where she buys a new outfit, trades for a newer car, and ultimately ends up at James' house, where she tells him of Norman's history of blackouts, including killing his father. Back home, Dylan struggles with Norman's separation anxiety, which includes a mental breakdown where Norman completely assumes Norma's personality by cooking him breakfast in her robe and talking like her. Meanwhile, Sheriff Romero gets shot and is hospitalized. He is visited by Marcus Young, who tells him that his time as sheriff is nearing an end. Romero follows Marcus to the parking garage and shoots him dead. Norma realizes that she is still a mother and returns home to honor her sons' wishes to meet Caleb, who breaks down and apologizes upon seeing her.
277"The Last Supper"Ed BianchiPhilip BuiserApril 20, 2015 (2015-04-20)1.69[23]
Dylan starts growing closer to Emma, and learns from her dad that she is a lot sicker than she wants to admit. Meanwhile, Norma tells Romero where the USB drive is so he has leverage over Bob. Romero discovers that his mother's name is on the USB's financial ledger, which leads him into an awkward and painful confrontation with his father in jail. He learns that his father used his mother's name in order to get drugs into the prison. Norma asks James to help Norman, who, in turn, asks some inappropriate questions and ultimately attacks him. James tells Norma that her son needs help. Norma then cooks a family dinner in order to get closer to Norman. Dylan invites Emma, and Norma invites Caleb. Romero also stops by. Caleb's presence at the dinner angers Norman deeply.
288"The Pit"Roxann DawsonBill BalasApril 27, 2015 (2015-04-27)1.76[24]
As part of the deal for the USB, Bob has a construction crew begin to dig a hole for the swimming pool at the Bates Motel, even though it ends up being 23 feet deep. Bob then abducts and tortures James to get information about Norma. When Romero goes to caution Bob about messing with Norma, Bob reveals to him Norma's relationship with James and, more importantly, that Norman killed his father. Romero subsequently ends his friendship with Norma when she continues to lie by maintaining that her husband died in an accident. Meanwhile, Dylan and Caleb transport Chick's guns to Canada, only to learn the deal was a setup to have Chick murdered. Caleb saves Dylan after a shootout ensues. James leaves town, but not before informing Norma that he told Bob everything. She warns Norman, and the two argue. Experiencing another blackout, Norman chases after his dog, Juno, who has escaped the house. He then discovers Bradley has returned to town.
299"Crazy"Tucker GatesSteve Kornacki & Alyson Evans & Torrey SpeerMay 4, 2015 (2015-05-04)1.73[25]
Bradley asks Norman to explain to her mother that she is very much alive. However, upon arriving, she finds that her mother has quickly recovered from the loss of both her husband and daughter. This causes Bradley to feel alone in the world, and she tries to bond with Norman, to the point of trying to have sex with him. He envisions Norma being with them and leaves, thinking that Norma is accompanying him. Meanwhile, Norma tells Bob that she will give him the USB drive, telling him that what James said wasn't true. Bob states that she no longer has anything to bargain with. She then ransacks Romero's house, only to learn from him that the DEA is investigating the financial ledger. Their argument hinges on Romero wanting to know the truth about the death of Norman's father, to which Norma ultimately states that they both know who killed him, implying Norman. Caleb beats Chick for the delivery money, gives it to Dylan, and leaves town after telling Norma about Norman once attacking him in her persona. Dylan gives Emma's father the money for her future lung transplant.
3010"Unconscious"Tucker GatesCarlton Cuse & Kerry EhrinMay 11, 2015 (2015-05-11)1.67[26]
After learning Caleb has left town, Dylan receives a call from Emma's father with news that she disappeared after she learned about her lung transplant. Dylan finds her at the cabin, fearful of her body rejecting the transplant and dying. He calls her the strongest woman that he has ever met, and they kiss. Meanwhile, the DEA plans to arrest Bob at his house, but Romero calls to warn him in advance. Bob goes to a boat at the marina to find Romero waiting on him. Bob compares him to his imprisoned father, and Romero shoots him dead. Norma meets with an asylum administrator in hopes to admit Norman, only to be told admission costs start at $20,000 a month. She mentions the news to Norman, who plans to leave town with Bradley. Norman and Norma argue, with Norma knocking Norman unconscious, dragging him to the basement, and calling Dylan, who confirms that Bradley isn't dead. Norman escapes from the basement and runs off with Bradley, but envisions Norma wishing to speak to her. As Norma, he pulls Bradley out of the car, chases her, and repeatedly bashes her head against a rock, killing her. Norman then rolls the car into White Pine Bay, as he and his envisioned mother watch it submerge.

Reception

Critical response

The season has received positive reviews from television critics. It received 72 out of 100 from Metacritic, based on 5 television critic reviews.[27] Review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported that 11 out of 12 critical responses were positive, averaging a 92% rating. The site's consensus reads: "Bates Motel further blurs lines around TV's creepiest taboo mother/son relationship, uncomfortably darkening its already fascinating tone."[2]

Ratings

The season premiere episode drew in a total of 2.14 million viewers, with 0.9 million tuning in from the coveted 18–49 demographic.[3] The season finale drew in 1.67 million viewers, with 0.6 tuning in from the 18–49 demographic.[26] Overall, the third season averaged 1.80 million viewers, with a 0.7 ratings share in the 18–49 demographic.[28]

Awards and nominations

In its third season, Bates Motel was nominated for 10 awards, winning one, with two pending.

Year Awards Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
2015 5th Critics' Choice Television Awards Best Actor in a Drama Series Freddie Highmore Nominated [4]
Best Actress in a Drama Series Vera Farmiga Nominated [29]
19th Online Film & Television Association Awards Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series Nominated [30]
42nd Saturn Awards Best Action-Thriller Television Series Bates Motel Pending [31]
42nd People's Choice Awards Favorite Cable TV Drama Nominated [32]
17th Women's Image Network Awards Best Drama Series Nominated [33]
Best Actress – Drama Series Vera Farmiga Nominated
Fangoria Chainsaw Awards Best TV Actress Pending [34]
41st Gracie Awards Outstanding Female Actor in a Leading Role in a Drama Won [35]
63rd Golden Reel Awards Television – Short Form, Music Michael Ryan Nominated [36]
The listed years are of television release, annual ceremonies are usually held the following year

References

  1. ↑ McNamara, Mary (March 18, 2013). "Review: 'Bates Motel' a twisty, moody modern prequel to 'Psycho'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 4, 2014.
  2. 1 2 "Bates Motel: Season 3 (2015)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  3. 1 2 3 Kondolojy, Amanda (March 10, 2015). "Monday Cable Ratings: 'Monday Night RAW' Tops Night + 'Love & Hip-Hop', 'Better Call Saul', 'Black Ink Crew' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  4. 1 2 Pedersen, Erik (May 6, 2015). "Critics' Choice TV Awards: 'Justified', 'Olive Kitteridge', HBO Lead The Field". Deadline.com. Retrieved May 6, 2015.
  5. ↑ Kissell, Rick (December 29, 2015). "'The Walking Dead' Tops Year-End Lists in TV, Social Media". Variety.
  6. ↑ "Bates Motel - Universal Checks in With 'Season 3' Announcements on DVD, Blu-ray". TV Shows on DVD. July 21, 2015.
  7. ↑ Remling, Amanda (July 20, 2014). "'Bates Motel' Season 3 Spoilers: Bradley Confirmed To Return; Filming To Begin October". International Business Times.
  8. ↑ Snierson, Dan (July 25, 2014). "Kenny Johnson returns to 'Bates Motel' as series regular". Entertainment Weekly.
  9. ↑ Ausiello, Michael (October 17, 2014). "EXCLUSIVE: Sons of Anarchy's Ryan Hurst Checks Into Bates Motel Season 3". TVLine.
  10. ↑ Ausiello, Michael (October 21, 2014). "Revolution Alum Joins Bates Motel". TVLine.
  11. ↑ Ausiello, Michael (October 22, 2014). "Bates Motel Casts a Mad Man as Romero's [Spoiler]". TVLine.
  12. ↑ Ausiello, Michael (November 8, 2014). "'Bates Motel' Season 3: Joshua Leonard Cast, Reunites With Vera Farmiga". TVLine.
  13. ↑ Turnquist, Kristi (March 26, 2013). "'Bates Motel': What's going on in that bucolic Oregon coastal town". OregonLive.com. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
  14. ↑ "BATES MOTEL Set in Aldergrove is Spitting Image of Alfred Hitchcock's Set in Psycho – Updated". YVR Shoots. November 15, 2012.
  15. ↑ Vera Farmiga [VeraFarmiga] (October 21, 2014). "Day 2. @InsideBates" (Tweet).
  16. ↑ Nestor Carbonell [CarbonellNestor] (March 1, 2015). "Wrapped S3 at 4 am. Hands down the best season yet. @InsideBates" (Tweet).
  17. ↑ O'Neil, Tom (June 13, 2015). "Vera Farmiga in 'Bates Motel' 'ricochets emotionally like a bullet'". Gold Derby.
  18. ↑ Bibel, Sara (March 17, 2015). "Monday Cable Ratings: 'WWE Raw' Wins Night, 'Better Call Saul', 'Bates Motel', 'Love & Hip Hop', 'The Fosters' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
  19. ↑ Kondolojy, Amanda (March 24, 2015). "Monday Cable Ratings: 'Monday Night RAW' Tops Night + 'Love & Hop-Hop', 'Better Call Saul', 'Teen Mom' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved March 24, 2015.
  20. ↑ Bibel, Sara (March 31, 2015). "Monday Cable Ratings: Comedy Central Roast Wins Night, 'WWE Raw', 'Better Call Saul', 'Teen Mom', 'Bates Motel' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved March 31, 2015.
  21. ↑ Kondolojy, Amanda (April 7, 2015). "Monday Cable Ratings: 'Monday Night Raw' Tops Night + 'Love & Hip Hop', 'Better Call Saul', 'Black Ink Crew' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 7, 2015.
  22. ↑ Bibe l, Sara (April 14, 2015). "Monday Cable Ratings: 'WWE Raw' Wins Night, 'Love & Hip Hop', 'Teen Mom', 'Bates Motel', 'The Returned' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 14, 2015.
  23. ↑ Kondolojy, Amanda (April 21, 2015). "Monday Cable Ratings: NBA Basketball & 'Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta' Top Night + 'Monday Night RAW', 'Teen Mom' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 21, 2015.
  24. ↑ Bibel, Sara (April 28, 2015). "Monday Cable Ratings: 'Love & Hip Hop Atlanta' Wins Night, NBA Playoffs, 'WWE Raw', 'Teen Mom' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 28, 2015.
  25. ↑ Kondolojy, Amanda (May 5, 2015). "Monday Cable Ratings: NBA Playoffs Top Night + 'Love & Hip Hop Atlanta', 'Monday Night RAW', 'Teen Mom' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
  26. 1 2 Bibel, Sara (May 12, 2015). "Monday Cable Ratings: NBA Playoffs Wins Night, 'Love & Hip Hop Atlanta', 'WWE Raw', 'Teen Mom', 'Bates Motel' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved May 12, 2015.
  27. ↑ "Bates Motel: Season 3 Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  28. ↑ "Bates Motel: Season Three Ratings". TV Series Finale. May 13, 2015. Retrieved May 14, 2015.
  29. ↑ "Critics' Choice Awards Winners: Updated List". Variety. May 31, 2015. Retrieved May 31, 2015.
  30. ↑ "Online Film & Television Association – Television Branch: 2014-15". OFTA. Retrieved October 6, 2015.
  31. ↑ Bryant, Jacob (February 24, 2016). "'Star Wars,' 'Mad Max,' 'Walking Dead' Lead Saturn Awards Nominations". Variety.
  32. ↑ Swift, Andy (November 3, 2015). "People's Choice Awards 2016: Empire, Pretty Little Liars Among TV Nominees". TVLine.
  33. ↑ "The WIN Awards – Women's Image Awards 2015 Nominees". Women's Image Network Awards. Retrieved December 9, 2015.
  34. ↑ "Never mind Oscar, here's the 2016 FANGORIA Chainsaw Awards Nominees Ballot!". Fangoria. January 14, 2016.
  35. ↑ Medina, Marcy (March 21, 2016). "Gracie Awards 2016 Winners Include Jada Pinkett Smith, Oprah Winfrey". Women's Wear Daily.
  36. ↑ Tapley, Kristopher (January 26, 2016). "'Game of Thrones,' 'Revenant,' 'Star Wars' Lead MPSE's Golden Reel Nominations". Variety.

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Tuesday, May 03, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.