Series 2 continues the story of Norman Bates and his mother living at the infamous Motel. performances are very strong and again Freddie Highmore excels as the disturbed Norman. The relationship between Norman and his mother is still very odd and features as a very strong backbone of the story. The only place that season 2 is suffering is with the interjection of other characters to create a subplot and its also starting to feel a bit like an episode of 90210 in places with teen romances pushed to the forefront. That asides its still a strong story, Norman is creepy and unpredictable and this is enough for me to keep watching. 4/5
there needs to be more series excelent story lines stunning actors highley recommended to any one who hasent seen this this beats the first series
OK so series 2 of this does get a bit OC and soapy with all the teen romance etc, and a bit Weed or Breaking Bad with the dope gang theme.
But, having said that, I am also thoroughly enjoying all series of this mashed-up remake retake of Psycho.
Nobody can possibly trump the original movie (though Hitchcock in fact did not create the famous shower scene story board! He gets the credit always for something he did not create!) so this series wisely does not try it. Instead, it bizarrely creates a modern day version but mashed up with sort of retro Norman and his mum.
To be honest, they are maybe not weird enough, and I have known WAY more overbearing domineering mothers than Norman's mum here. The family is pretty normal actually.
Dylan the brother is sort of everyman - we see the story through him, in a way. He's our conscience.
Some of the younger female characters are dippy and annoying, but at least there is no box-ticking diversity nonsense. If the BBC had made this, Norman would probably be Asian with a black dad or something.
SO 4 stars - not profound but enjoyable, and better than any BBC made drama I have seen in years.