E01
First You Dream, Then You Die
Widow Norma Bates and her shy teenage son, Norman, seek a fresh start in a coastal town filled with secrets; the arrival of an unexpected guest turns the Bates' lives upside down.
TV SERIES / EPISODE GUIDE
Bates Motel
EndedFirst aired 2013-03-18A&E
Drama · Horror · Thriller
Bates Motel is a contemporary prequel to the genre-defining film Psycho, and gives viewers an intimate portrayal of how Norman Bates' psyche unravels through his teenage years.Following the tragic death of her husband, Norma Bates buys a motel on the outskirts of the idyllic coastal town of White Pine Bay, seeking a fresh start. As Norma and Norman get ensconced in their new home, they discover this town isn't quite what it seems, and the locals aren't so quick to let them in on their secrets. But the Bates' are done being pushed around and will do whatever it takes to survive - and will do whatever it takes to protect their own secrets.
FROM THE SHOW GUIDE
Season by season.
50 listed episodes across 5 seasons. Air dates are provided by TVmaze and can change.
Season 1 10 episodes
E02
Nice Town You Picked, Norma...
When Dylan arrives he immediately begins causing trouble; the Bates' are drawn into the secrets surrounding White Pine Bay.
E03
What's Wrong with Norman
Dylan learns there is more to his new job than he originally thought; Emma and Norman make a shocking discovery.
E04
Trust Me
Norma deals with distractions as her suspicions grow about certain town residents.
E05
Ocean View
Norma receives some much-needed help, while Norman desperately awaits his mother's return home; Emma and Norman follow more clues, leading to a big discovery.
E06
The Truth
Dylan asks Norman to move in with him; Norma warns Emma that some things are best kept to themselves.
E07
The Man in Number 9
The Bates Motel welcomes its first guest; Norman learns that popular girls come with many complications and Norma hires Emma to work at the motel.
E08
A Boy and His Dog
A mysterious stranger causes problems for Norma; Bradley is not happy when rumors spread at school; Dylan and Remo go on a fateful road trip; Norman takes up a grisly hobby.
E09
Underwater
Abernathy increases the pressure; Bradley and Dylan connect; Miss Watson encourages Norman's active imagination; Emma takes a trip.
E10
Midnight
Romero decides to take action; Norman brings Emma to the dance, but gets a ride home from Miss Watson.
Season 2 10 episodes
E01
Gone But Not Forgotten
Norman fixates on Miss Watson's death; Dylan becomes involved in White Pine Bay's drug war; Bradley is driven to extremes as she searches for her father's killer; new romantic interests complicate the relationship between Norman and Emma.
E02
Shadow of a Doubt
Norma tries to distract Norman from his current obsession; Bradley needs help escaping from a dire situation; Romero is pressured to make an arrest; Dylan and Remo are kept on edge by a new worker.
E03
Caleb
Norma's brother Caleb arrives at the motel; Norma finds an ally in her efforts to prevent the bypass; Emma holds a memorial for a friend; a townie girl interests Norman.
E04
Check-Out
Dylan questions his loyalty to Norma and Norman; Christine introduces Norma to the town's social scene; Caleb's presence worries Norman; Romero is caught between Zane's war with a rival drug family.
E05
The Escape Artist
Norman shares a family secret with Cody; Dylan is caught in Zane's escalating war; Norma teams up with a mysterious man in an attempt to stop the bypass.
E06
Plunge
Dylan is asked to manage an explosive situation; Norma and Norman's relationship is threatened by a growing secret; Emma lands in a dangerous situation.
E07
Presumed Innocent
Norma's faith in Norman is questioned; Dylan is threatened by a revengeful Zane; Romero receives new evidence in the murder of Miss Watson; Cody and Norman's friendship reaches the breaking point.
E08
Meltdown
Romero digs deeper into the murder of Miss Watson; the conflict between the drug families leaves Dylan facing an impossible choice; Norma refuses to tell Norman the truth about his blackouts.
E09
The Box
Norma tries to connect with Norman. Meanwhile, Romero turns to a former colleague for help.
E10
The Immutable Truth
Norman is haunted by his past in the Season 2 finale. Later, Romero and Dylan try to bring closure to the drug war.
Season 3 10 episodes
E01
A Death in the Family
Norman and Emma each make a decision about their future. Norma sets boundaries with Norman. An unexpected visit causes trouble in Dylan's fresh start.
E02
The Arcanum Club
Norman and Norma fixate on Annika's disappearance. Norma learns what the Arcanum Club really is. Dylan and Caleb encounter a new neighbor.Dylan and Caleb meet a new neighbor.
E03
Persuasion
Norman and Norma grow apart as Norman and Emma grow closer. Norma balks when Romero asks Norman some tough questions. Romero meets his competition for re-elections.
E04
Unbreak-Able
Norman and Emma take a day off from the motel. Romero investigates two mysterious deaths in White Pine Bay. Norma goes back to school. Buried secrets unravel for Caleb and Dylan.
E05
The Deal
When Norma finds herself in a rare position of power, she appeals to Romero for guidance. Norman and Dylan both come undone at the fallout of a secret. And Caleb considers an offer made to him by a surprising source.
E06
Norma Louise
Norma considers a life outside of White Pine Bay, leaving Norman in a vulnerable position. Dylan and Emma bond while helping Norman through a rough night. Romero is confronted by a new threat. And Caleb makes a difficult decision after learning of Norma's sudden departure.
E07
The Last Supper
Norma returns home to find a great mess waiting for her. Norman agrees to getting some help. And Dylan learns some shocking news about Emma's health.
E08
The Pit
Romero confronts Norma about new information recently come to light. Norman reels from a recent discovery. Caleb and Dylan take a job that involves some risk. And Emma makes a decision about her future with Norman.
E09
Crazy
Norman spends the day with a surprising visitor. Norma struggles to keep secrets contained. While at the farm, Caleb helps Dylan follow through on a good deed, but at a cost.
E10
Unconscious
Norma hits a breaking point with Norman's issues. Emma has a surprising reaction to seemingly positive news. Romero finally chooses sides, the decision sealing his fate in the town. And Caleb makes a decision that will uproot his new life.
Season 4 10 episodes
E01
A Danger to Himself and Others
In the fourth season premiere, Norma searches for Norman; Dylan awaits news on Emma; and Romero gets a surprising proposition.
E02
Goodnight, Mother
Norma and Norman face off as they suspect each other of horrible actions; Dylan thinks about his future with Emma; and Romero makes a choice that will have a big impact on the Bates family.
E03
'Til Death Do You Part
Norma and Romero take a big step; Norman struggles to accept his new circumstances; and Dylan tries to rid himself of old business.
E04
Lights of Winter
Norman goes on an adventure with a new friend; Norma gets a taste of happiness at a festival in White Pine Bay while Romero faces a potentially awkward situation; and Dylan is caught between two families.
E05
Refraction
Norman tries to confide in Dr. Edwards, but worries he may reveal too much. Also: Norma hires a craftsman to fix a window and Romero uncovers a crime that threatens his new life.
E06
The Vault
Norman digs into his past and confronts some painful truths; Norma tries to hide a secret of her own; and Romero puts his career at risk to help an old friend.
E07
There's No Place Like Home
A chance discovery spurs Norman to return home; Norma dives into new projects with Romero's help; and Dylan searches for Emma's mother, but has troubling results.
E08
Unfaithful
Norma is torn between Romero and Norman while Norman realizes how much everyone has changed in his absence.
E09
Forever
Norman and Norma try to reconnect as they plan for the future. Elsewhere, Romero and Dylan take action to help Norman.
E10
Norman
Norman plans a special event for Norma; Romero faces pressure due to his actions; and Dylan considers reaching out to Norman.
Season 5 10 episodes
E01
Dark Paradise
Norman tries to keep up appearances despite a troubling discovery; Dylan and Emma receive a surprise guest.
E02
The Convergence of the Twain
Norman's date doesn't go as planned; Romero's frustrations reach a boiling point; Chick brings Norman a gift.
E03
Bad Blood
Norman helps Chick with a project; Romero makes his move; an apologetic Madeleine reaches out to Norman.
E04
Hidden
Norman learns who he can rely on as he attempts to protect his secrets; Romero struggles to find safety.
E05
Dreams Die First
Norman tries to piece together Mother's movements; in Seattle, Dylan and Emma confront an ugly truth; Sam's girlfriend, Marion, makes an impulsive decision with far-reaching consequences.
E06
Marion
A special guest checks into the motel; Dylan grapples with devastating news; Sam and Madeleine's marriage reaches a crossroads.
E07
Inseparable
Norman and Mother come together as trouble looms large; Romero convalesces with the help of an old friend; Dylan comes home.
E08
The Body
Mother uses tough love to protect Norman; Sheriff Greene begins a murder investigation; and Dylan gets his brother help.
E09
Visiting Hours
Norman's legal problems worsen; Emma tends to family business as Dylan gets caught between his past and his future; and Romero enacts his plan for revenge.
E10
The Cord
Norman comes home.
Show and episode information provided by TVmaze ↗. Sources & Credits.