Bates Motel (season 4)

Bates Motel (season 4)

Promotional poster
Country of origin United States
No. of episodes 10
Release
Original network A&E
Original release March 7 (2016-03-07) – May 16, 2016 (2016-05-16)

The fourth season of Bates Motel premiered on March 7, 2016, and concluded on May 16, 2016. The season consisted of 10 episodes and aired on Mondays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on A&E.[1] 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.[2] The series takes place in the fictional town of White Pine Bay, Oregon.

The season received critical acclaim from television critics, and was nominated for two Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards.[3] Bates Motel's fourth season maintained consistent ratings throughout its airing,[4] with the season premiere drawing in 1.55 million viewers and the finale totalling 1.50 million.[5] The season was released on Blu-ray and DVD on October 18, 2016.[6]

Plot

The fourth season follows Norma (Vera Farmiga) as she becomes increasingly fearful of Norman (Freddie Highmore), going to great lengths to find him the professional help he needs. This complicates their once unbreakable trust as Norman struggles to maintain his grip on reality. Meanwhile, Sheriff Romero (Nestor Carbonell) once again finds himself drawn into their lives.

Cast

Main

Vera Farmiga, Freddie Highmore, and Max Thieriot (left to right) portray Norma Louise Bates, Norman Bates, and Dylan Massett, respectively, who appear in all episodes.
Nestor Carbonell, Ryan Hurst, and Jaime Ray Newman (left to right) portray Sheriff Alex Romero, Chick Hogan, and Rebecca Hamilton, respectively.

Recurring

Guest

Production

Casting

In August 2015, TVLine reported that Ryan Hurst would be returning to the series as Chick Hogan, a recurring character throughout the third season.[7] On November 5, 2015, reports surfaced that the series was casting the recurring role of Gregg Edwards, a doctor at Pineview Mental Institution.[8] On December 3, 2015, Damon Gupton was cast in the role.[9] In mid-December 2015, it was announced that Jaime Ray Newman would play a major recurring role throughout the season as Rebecca Hamilton, a former girlfriend of Romero.[10]

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.[11][12] In early November 2015, Nestor Carbonell confirmed he, like the third season, would be directing one episode of this season.[13] Principal photography for season 4 began on November 30, 2015 in Vancouver and surrounding areas,[14] and concluded on April 6, 2016.[15] On February 11, 2016, the first image was released featuring Farmiga and Highmore.[16] In March 2016, it was revealed Highmore had written the eighth episode of the season.[17]

Episodes

No.
overall		No. in
season		TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateU.S. viewers
(millions)
311"A Danger to Himself and Others"Tucker GatesCarlton Cuse & Kerry EhrinMarch 7, 2016 (2016-03-07)1.55[5]
Romero disposes of Bob Paris' body in the bay. With Norman missing, Norma and Dylan worry about his well being. A farmer discovers an unstable Norman, resulting in him being admitted to a psychiatric unit. Meanwhile, Dylan goes to Portland to be by Emma's bedside after her lung transplant, while Norma attempts to have Norman discharged from the institution. The psychiatric doctor refuses to let Norman leave until after a 48-hour observation period, and chastises Norma for never taking Norman to a doctor for his frequent blackouts. Desperate, Norma returns to Pineview Mental Hospital hoping to have Norman admitted as soon as possible and encounters a psychiatrist, Dr. Edwards. Since she doesn't have insurance, Norma asks Romero to marry her so she can use his, but he rebuffs her. Elsewhere, Emma's estranged mother, Audrey, attempts to make contact, but Emma's father turns her away. As Audrey seeks help from Norman, "Mother" strangles her to death with her own scarf.
322"Goodnight, Mother"Tim SouthamKerry Ehrin & Torrey SpeerMarch 14, 2016 (2016-03-14)1.45[18]
Norman tries to remember what happened the night before. He then has flashes of "Mother" hiding Audrey's body in the basement freezer. Meanwhile, Emma breathes freely for the first time with her new lungs without her oxygen tank, to the relief of Dylan and her father. Romero visits Pineview with money for Norman's admission. However, because Norman is 18 years old, the institution needs to have his signature on consent forms. Norman accuses Norma of killing Audrey, alerting his mother to the fact he committed a murder. She searches the motel's pit for a body, but only discovers a glove. Norman later finds the Pineview forms in the motel's fax machine. He then has a vision of his deceased father, who tells him that Norma is the one who killed him and that she is trying to blame Norman for all the killings. Norman's behavior scares Norma, who flees from him and calls Romero for help. With his mother's gun, Norman alludes to the pair committing suicide since they can't be happy in life. Romero arrives at the Bates residence, and Norma convinces Norman to sign the consent forms before he is taken away to the Pineview hospital.
333"'Til Death Do You Part"Phil AbrahamSteve Kornacki & Alyson EvansMarch 21, 2016 (2016-03-21)1.46[19]
Norma and Romero get married, and afterward, Romero moves into the Bates house in order for their relationship to look real. Romero has the pit filled in as a wedding gift, but a worker discovers one of Audrey's earrings at the site, distressing Norma. Meanwhile, Dylan returns to White Pine Bay to fire Gunner and get out of the drug trade, but arrives at the farm to find Gunner quitting instead. Chick arrives at Dylan's farm looking for revenge on Caleb, but Dylan informs him he hasn't been in contact with his father since he skipped town. At the Pineview asylum, Norman has his first therapy session with Dr. Edwards, who presses Norman to share his concerns about his mother. Norman is conflicted as both hiding and telling the "truth" would cause problems for Norma. Later, Norma visits Norman, and the two have a heated exchange in front of staff and other inpatients. Meanwhile, Romero's ex-girlfriend, Rebecca, visits him, worried that her part in Bob's money laundering scheme may come to light. Romero tells her to keep her head down and she'll be safe from suspicion.
344"Lights of Winter"T.J. ScottTom SzentgyorgyiMarch 28, 2016 (2016-03-28)1.52[20]
Norman and fellow patient Julian plan an escape from Pineview. Meanwhile, Norma and Romero become closer in their sham marriage, and he suggests opening a joint bank account to make it appear more legitimate. He then gets an urgent message from Rebecca, who later tells him Bob Paris has $3 million in a safety deposit box, to which Romero finds the key. Norma visits Emma in the Portland hospital, who tells her to start living her own life and to not worry about Norman. Emma also plans to move to Seattle and asks Dylan to move with her. After attending a carnival with Romero and awkwardly meeting Rebecca, Norma and Romero return home to find the house ransacked. Meanwhile, Norman and Julian escape from Pineview and hitch a ride to a strip club. Julian gives Norman some money, and both are taken separately to private rooms. While alone with a dancer, "Mother" appears, but the two are interrupted by a fight between Julian and some bouncers. This leads to Dr. Edwards arriving to collect Norman, who breaks down and accepts Dr. Edwards' help.
355"Refraction"Sarah BoydErica LipezApril 11, 2016 (2016-04-11)1.42[21]
Norma and Romero begin cleaning the house, and she is upset about her favorite stained-glass window being broken. Romero mentions that things like that happen "when you're married to the sheriff". He later cautions Rebecca, whom he knows broke in, to stay away. Norma asks in town about a glass repairman, and Chick Hogan arrives at the house for the job. He later learns that Caleb is Norma's brother. Meanwhile, Dylan takes Emma home to White Pine Bay, but later goes to Seattle for a job interview. At Pineview, Norman begins his sessions with Dr. Edwards and seems to be open with most subjects, except that of his father. He calls to leave an apologetic voicemail with Norma, who later visits him at the institution; Dr. Edwards later suggests the visit was all in Norman's mind, which is confirmed when Norman gets agitated and "Mother" starts talking with the doctor. Chick returns to see Norma and says he previously met Caleb, who was introduced as Dylan's father. He tells Norma of his hatred for Caleb and asks her to decide her brother's fate.
366"The Vault"Olatunde OsunsanmiScott KosarApril 18, 2016 (2016-04-18)1.33[22]
Norma meets again with Chick, who threatens to publicly reveal her past with Caleb and, ultimately, ruin her marriage to Romero. This sets off a sense of urgency in her, in which she manages to get Caleb's possible location from Dylan. She contacts Caleb, but later tells Chick to do his worst in destroying her life. Meanwhile, Romero gives the key to Rebecca, adding that he wants none of the money in return. At Pineview, Dr. Edwards explains dissociative identity disorder to Norman and that the "Mother" persona is what arises during his blackouts. Norman recalls when he was age seven and Norma tried to leave his drunken father. She was raped while Norman hid under the bed. Dr. Edwards asks to speak to "Mother", who warns him to not allow Norman to recall memories that will hurt himself. Chick delivers the window with Romero's help. Norma then explains Chick's true intentions and tearfully reveals her past to Romero, believing he will leave her as a result. Despite the truth, Romero decides to stay married to Norma.
377"There's No Place Like Home"Nestor CarbonellPhilip BuiserApril 25, 2016 (2016-04-25)1.35[23]
Norma tells Romero about her dream to renovate the Bates house, but her financial position won't grant her the opportunity to do so. Romero reveals to her the money he took from Bob on the night of his murder, offering it so she can begin making her dream a reality. While at Pineview creating papier-mâché, Norman finds a newspaper clipping about his mother's marriage to Romero. Norman calls home to hear Romero answer the phone and Norma lie regarding his reasons for being there. Norman then sets into motion his plans of going home. Meanwhile, Dylan investigates Audrey's disappearance when Emma loses contact with her. He shows Norma the letter of Audrey's found in Norman's room, confronting her about why it was in Norman's possession. Dylan later gives the letter to Emma, who ultimately decides that her mother's vanishing is an act of desperation. Despite Dr. Edwards' and Norma's efforts to keep Norman at Pineview, he is released and returns home.
388"Unfaithful"Stephen SurjikFreddie HighmoreMay 2, 2016 (2016-05-02)1.52[24]
Romero stays away from the Bates house to help Norman adjust to a normal life. Norman soon tells him of plans to get a second job to pay for his own insurance in order to let Romero out of his arranged marriage to Norma. Romero tells her that Norman needs to be told that they're in love. Meanwhile, Rebecca is picked up at the airport by the DEA, but is told they are actually after Romero in connection with Bob Paris. At the Bates house, Norma, Romero and Norman have dinner together. Norman gets into an argument with his mother over her allowing Romero into their lives, when she and Norman were so close to the point of him not being able to have girlfriends. Norman storms out to chop wood in anger; Romero follows. Norman approaches him with the axe, but destroys a shed and proclaims that he hates Romero.
399"Forever"Tim SouthamCarlton Cuse & Kerry EhrinMay 9, 2016 (2016-05-09)1.41[25]
Romero tries unsuccessfully to convince Norma to recommit Norman into Pineview. Norman pours out his feelings to Dr. Edwards as Dylan and Romero secretly meet. They both are worried for Norma and want Norman back in the hospital. Dylan finds Audrey's earring and confronts Norma about it. Angered and blinded, Norma accuses Dylan of being jealous of Norman. Heartbroken, Dylan says that she has never been a mother to him, and tells her that Romero also wants Norman back in the hospital. Dylan says goodbye to Norman. Norma confronts Romero about going behind her back and ends their relationship. Norma then breaks down in front of Norman. She leaves a note for Romero and falls asleep. Norman lights the furnace and shuts all the vents in the house, causing carbon monoxide to fill Norma's room, in a murder-suicide attempt. Romero arrives and finds the two unconscious on the bed. He attempts to save both of them but is apparently unsuccessful in saving Norma, and he breaks into tears. Norman wakes to see his unresponsive mother.
4010"Norman"Tucker GatesKerry EhrinMay 16, 2016 (2016-05-16)1.50[26]
As Norman is taken away by ambulance, Romero is questioned by a detective, who shows him Norma's note with the wedding ring in it. She mentions the possibility of Norma's attempt at murder-suicide, which sends Romero to collect Norman at the hospital. Norman balks, they scuffle and Romero promises to prove Norman killed his mother. The funeral home calls Norman to make arrangements. At the morgue, Romero places the ring on Norma's finger, and Norman later removes it at the funeral parlor. Romero goes to the service, in which only Norman is attending. They scuffle again when Norman shows him the ring. Romero is later arrested by the DEA for perjury when he previously lied about being involved with Rebecca. Norman exhumes his mother's body to take home. Chick visits the house to offer condolences and sees Norma's body. He forces Norman to realize that she is dead. Norman goes to kill himself with Norma's handgun but hears music. He finds the house decorated for Christmas and "Mother" playing the piano. She and her son are now together forever.

Reception

Critical response

The fourth season of Bates Motel has been met with critical acclaim. The season holds a 100% positive rating on review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, based on 8 responses from television critics.[3]

Ratings

The season premiere episode drew in a total of 1.55 million viewers, with 0.7 million tuning in from the 18–49 demographic. This was a 0.59 million and 0.2 drop, respectively, from the previous season's premiere.[5] Its season finale episode drew in a total of 1.50 million viewers, with 0.5 tuning in from the 18–49 demo.[26] Overall, the fourth season of Bates Motel averaged 1.45 million viewers, with a 0.6 rating in the 18–49 demographic.[4]

Awards and nominations

In its fourth season, Bates Motel was nominated for 10 awards, with 4 pending.

Year Awards Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
2016 68th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards Outstanding Cinematography for a Single-Camera Series John S. Bartley Nominated [27]
Outstanding Music Composition for a Series Chris Bacon Nominated
Gold Derby Awards Best Drama Series Bates Motel Nominated [28]
Best Lead Actor in a Drama Freddie Highmore Nominated
Best Lead Actress in a Drama Vera Farmiga Nominated
Poppy Awards Best Actress in a Drama Series Nominated [29]
43rd People's Choice Awards Favorite Cable TV Actress Pending [30]
Favorite Cable TV Actor Freddie Highmore Pending
Favorite Cable TV Drama Bates Motel Pending
7th Critics' Choice Television Awards Most Bingeworthy Series Pending [31]
The listed years are of television release, annual ceremonies are usually held the following year

References

  1. ↑ Birnbaum, Debra (January 6, 2016). "'Bates Motel' Season 4 and 'Damien' to Premiere March 7". Variety.
  2. ↑ McNamara, Mary (March 18, 2013). "Review: 'Bates Motel' a twisty, moody modern prequel to 'Psycho'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved March 18, 2016.
  3. 1 2 "Bates Motel: Season 4 (2016)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
  4. 1 2 "Bates Motel: Season Four Ratings". TV Series Finale. May 17, 2016.
  5. 1 2 3 Welch, Alex (March 8, 2016). "Monday cable ratings: 'WWE Raw' wins the night". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
  6. ↑ "Bates Motel – Street Date, Pricing, Extras for 'Season 4' on DVD, Blu-ray Disc". TV Shows on DVD. July 26, 2016.
  7. ↑ Ausiello, Michael (August 13, 2015). "Ask Ausiello: Spoilers on NCIS, X-Files, Grey's Anatomy, Arrow, Flash, Castle, Bones, Criminal Minds and More". TVLine.
  8. ↑ Ausiello, Michael (November 5, 2015). "Ask Ausiello: Spoilers on Arrow, Bloodline, Grimm, Supergirl, Scandal, TVD, Supernatural and More". TVLine.
  9. ↑ Petski, Denise (December 3, 2015). "Damon Gupton Joins 'Bates Motel'; Trieste Kelly Dunn In 'Blindspot'". Deadline.com.
  10. ↑ Petski, Denise (December 18, 2015). "Jaime Ray Newman Checks Into 'Bates Motel'". Deadline.com.
  11. ↑ Turnquist, Kristi (March 26, 2013). "'Bates Motel': What's going on in that bucolic Oregon coastal town". OregonLive.com. Retrieved March 7, 2015.
  12. ↑ "BATES MOTEL Set in Aldergrove is Spitting Image of Alfred Hitchcock's Set in Psycho – Updated". YVR Shoots. November 15, 2012.
  13. ↑ Davis, Brandon (November 3, 2015). "Nestor Carbonell To Direct Season 4 Episode of Bates Motel, Teases Big Payoff". ComicBook.com.
  14. ↑ Vera Farmiga [VeraFarmiga] (November 30, 2015). "Motel reopens today. Mama's back in business. @KerryEhrin @CarbonellNestor @maxthieriot @CarltonCuse @InsideBates" (Tweet). Retrieved November 30, 2015 – via Twitter.
  15. ↑ "Start Date: Bates Motel With Vera Farmiga & Freddie Highmore Starts Filming Season 4 First Week of December in Metro Vancouver". YVR Shoots. October 30, 2015.
  16. ↑ Highfill, Samantha (February 11, 2016). "Bates Motel First Look: Vera Farmiga says Norma's 'dreams have indeed become a nightmare'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved February 11, 2016.
  17. ↑ Kerry Ehrin [KerryEhrin] (March 3, 2016). "@Today. :) @InsideBates" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  18. ↑ Welch, Alex (March 15, 2016). "Monday cable ratings: 'Better Call Saul' and 'Bates Motel' fall". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  19. ↑ Welch, Alex (March 22, 2016). "Monday cable ratings: 'Love and Hip Hop' leads, 'WWE Raw' falls". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved March 22, 2016.
  20. ↑ Porter, Rick (March 30, 2016). "Monday cable ratings: 'Love & Hip Hop' reunion and 'WWE Raw' stay on top". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved March 30, 2016.
  21. ↑ Welch, Alex (April 12, 2016). "Monday cable ratings: 'Better Call Saul' and 'Teen Mom' hold steady". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 13, 2016.
  22. ↑ Welch, Alex (April 19, 2016). "Monday cable ratings: 'Better Call Saul' finale holds steady, NBA Playoffs soar". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 20, 2016.
  23. ↑ Welch, Alex (April 26, 2016). "Monday cable ratings: 'Love and Hip Hop: Atlanta' lands on top". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved April 26, 2016.
  24. ↑ Porter, Rick (May 3, 2016). "Monday cable ratings: NBA Playoffs finish on top, beat broadcast". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved May 3, 2016.
  25. ↑ Welch, Alex (May 10, 2016). "Monday cable ratings: 'Love & Hip Hop' and 'Black Ink Crew' dip". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved May 10, 2016.
  26. 1 2 Welch, Alex (May 17, 2016). "Monday cable ratings: 'Love & Hip Hip: Atlanta' rises". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved May 17, 2016.
  27. ↑ "Bates Motel Emmy Nominations". Emmys.com. Retrieved July 15, 2016.
  28. ↑ "Gold Derby Awards (2016)". Internet Movie Database. Retrieved August 2, 2016.
  29. ↑ Lawrence, Derek (August 22, 2016). "Poppy Awards 2016: Your drama nominees are...". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved August 23, 2016.
  30. ↑ Hipes, Patrick (November 15, 2016). "People's Choice Awards Nominees Set". Deadline.com.
  31. ↑ "Critics' Choice Awards: Game of Thrones, Stranger Things among Most Bingeworthy nominees". Entertainment Weekly. November 16, 2016.

External links

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