The death of Bradley Martin in Bates Motel season 3 showed there was no turning back for Norman Bates. The original Psycho was based on a novel by Robert Bloch and was helmed by the legendary Alfred Hitchcock. The film was considered something of a low-budget experiment for the studio, but it quickly became a critical and commercial smash. The movie’s twists and shocking - for the time - violence saw audiences flocking to it. In spite of its tremendous box-office, it was produced in a time before sequels were in vogue.
This is why it took 22 years for Psycho II to arrive, which started life as a TV movie before being upgraded to a theatrical release. The sequel saw Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins, Catch-22) released from an insane asylum, with the story centering on the question of whether or not he’s behind a new string of murders. Psycho II is a surprisingly great follow-up, and Perkins’ himself would direct the inevitable Psycho III. It received mixed reviews and is considered an oddity, but it’s got some stylish sequences and a great score. Perkins’ returned one last time for 1990’s Psycho IV: The Beginning, where Norman recounts his origin story and complex relationship with mother Norma.
Bates Motel acted as a modern-day origin for Norman (Freddie Highmore), who runs the titular motel with Norma (Vera Farmiga, Godzilla: King Of The Monsters). Bates Motel was also the name of a 1987 TV pilot that saw a friend of the late Norman inherit the motel and meet oddball new guests each week, but despite featuring a talented cast - including a young Jason Bateman - the show didn’t happen. A&E’s Bates Motel received great reviews during its five-season run, featuring a mix of psychological drama and horror.
Norman’s gradual slide into insanity is well handled in Bates Motel, and the tragic ending to his friendship with Bradley (Nicola Peltz, Transformers: Age of Extinction) is a key turning point. Norman befriends Bradley at school, who was the rich, popular girl who took a liking to the shy Norman. The sudden death of her father takes a heavy toll on her, which later involves killing a man and Norman helping her fake her own death so she can disappear.
She returns in Bates Motel season 3 and in the finale “Unconscious” she convinces Norman to leave town with her. While driving away Norman slips into “Norma” mode - which is his murderous alter ego. He pulls over and chases after a terrified Bradley, but “Norma” finally catches up and brutally bashes her head against some rocks. He then put her body in the trunk of the car and drives it into the water.
Not only did Bates Motel season 3 finale have a tragic ending for Bradley - who’d already suffered a fair amount of trauma - it showed Norman’s insanity had truly taken hold. Despite his love for Bradley, “Norma” would never let him go - as the final two seasons would prove.
Next: Bates Motel Season 5 Episode 1 Did A Much Better Job Remaking Psycho
