We all know that Netflix is truly an amazing thing, and with spring break it allowed me time to search thoroughly and find some awesome television. But the one show that I absolutely got hooked on was Bates Motel. And now that I've been watching intensely for the past few days, I've compiled a list of reasons why I believe it works so well and stands out from other tv shows.
1. It's actually written with thought
So many writers for television often just throw random plot points into things or to not utilize all the characters it has. This is found way too often in contemporary television shows, yet Bates Motel manages to stay written with such intensity and twists that it can hold your attention for the 45 minutes the episode plays. This is not an easy task nowadays. With technology and distractions, many only half-watch a show while they're busy doing other things. Bates Motel is not that kind of show; it demands your full attention.
2. There is incredible acting
I feel like television actors tend to get in the swing of things and once they do that, their acting techniques hit a generic wall. Nothing really changes, and while for some people that's ok, a lot of what I notice on TV is that actors just seem to stick to what they know. However, with Bates Motel, these actors bring so many different things and techniques to their characters that you never know what to expect. There's hardly any generic material in this, and with actors like Vera Farmiga (nominated for an Emmy award, and also happens to be my favorite on the show) bringing such drastic contrast to her character, it's hard not to be pulled in.
3. It's actually an original idea
For those of you who don't know exactly what this show is about, let me explain. It's a prequel to the classic horror flick Psycho (the famous shower killing scene, to spark some memory), and focuses on that murderer (Norman Bates) and his childhood. It deals immensely with his rough family life and his complicated relationship with his mother. You don't need to have seen Psycho to know what's going on, but if you have seen it, it's incredibly intriguing to get a background story on such a famed film murderer. Finally, a show that isn't contrived on some overly dramatic love story or ridiculous another crime investigation show.
4. There's emotion
Now I'm not talking about wanting to cry every episode, but I'm saying you genuinely begin to feel for the characters. Your mood will change on each one episode by episode, and I think that's just the most fun thing. It's written in such a way that you can find a bit of yourself in each character (ok, well maybe not every single one, there are a lot of very weird people), but it's so good because you can feel what the characters are thinking and actually understand why they do what they do. It's not just some random and poorly written plot line.
5. I can never wait until I get to watch another episode
This show always manages to end each episode on a crazy cliffhanger, and I always want to push the "Next Episode" button. I know I need to start thinking more of how it will affect my life and education, but in the zone I just really don't give a damn. I always crave more, and when you can find that in a TV show, you know you've found a gem. Now, as I write this, I want to sprint to Netflix and flick on the next episode. I will think better of it, because I do need to sleep and fulfill other biological needs, but damn is this a good show indeed.
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