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The Best Episodes of Bates Motel

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Every episode of Bates Motel ranked from best to worst. Let's dive into the Best Episodes of Bates Motel!

The Best Episodes of Bates Motel

A "contemporary prequel" to the 1960 film Psycho, depicting the life of Norman Bates and his mother Norma prior to the events portrayed in Hitchcock's...

Seasons5

  1. Background image for Forever
    8.8/10(11 votes)

    #1 - Forever

    S4:E9

    Norma and Norman try to reconnect as they plan for the future. Frustrated by Norma's blind eye, Romero and Dylan decide to take action for Norman's own good.

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  2. Background image for The Immutable Truth
    8.7/10(2.2k votes)

    #2 - The Immutable Truth

    S2:E10

    Norma tries to save Norman from making a horrible mistake. Meanwhile, Romero and Dylan find a way to bring closure to the drug war and Emma makes a decision about her future at Bates Motel.

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  3. Background image for The Truth
    8.6/10(2.7k votes)

    #3 - The Truth

    S1:E6

    Dylan asks Norman to move in with him. Chaos ensues at the Bates home as Norma tells Emma that some things are better kept to themselves.

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  4. Background image for The Box
    8.6/10(2.0k votes)

    #4 - The Box

    S2:E9

    Norma desperately tries to connect with Norman. Dylan decides if risking his life is worth saving a loved one. Romero enlists the help of a former colleague to determine if Norman is guilty of a crime.

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  5. Background image for Norma Louise
    8.6/10(14 votes)

    #5 - Norma Louise

    S3:E6

    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. Caleb makes a difficult decision after learning of Norma's sudden departure.

    Director:Phil Abraham
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  6. Background image for Goodnight, Mother
    8.6/10(12 votes)

    #6 - Goodnight, Mother

    S4:E2

    Norma and Norman face off as each suspects the other of a terrible deed. Dylan considers his future with Emma. Romero makes a choice that will have far-reaching consequences for the Bates family.

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Bates Motel

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  8. Background image for Norman
    8.6/10(11 votes)

    #7 - Norman

    S4:E10

    Norman and Norma's relationship faces its greatest test yet. Romero faces pressure from all sides, and Dylan considers reaching out to Norma but wants nothing to do with her.

    Director:Tucker Gates
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  9. Background image for Dreams Die First
    8.6/10(12 votes)

    #8 - Dreams Die First

    S5:E5

    Norman attempts to piece together Mother's movements. In Seattle, Dylan and Emma confront an ugly truth. Sam's girlfriend, Marion, makes a spur-of-the-moment decision with far-reaching consequences.

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  10. Background image for The Cord
    8.6/10(13 votes)

    #9 - The Cord

    S5:E10

    Norman Bates comes home.

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  11. Background image for Midnight
    8.5/10(2.5k votes)

    #10 - Midnight

    S1:E10

    Romero decides that it is time to act, and Norman takes Emma to the dance. Miss Watson gives Norman a ride home.

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  12. Background image for Dark Paradise
    8.5/10(12 votes)

    #11 - Dark Paradise

    S5:E1

    Norman tries to keep up appearances despite a troubling discovery. Dylan and Emma receive a surprise guest.

    Director:Tucker Gates
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  13. Background image for The Body
    8.4/10(8 votes)

    #12 - The Body

    S5:E8

    Mother turns to tough love to protect Norman; Sheriff Greene opens a murder investigation; Dylan gets his brother help.

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  14. Background image for Caleb
    8.3/10(2.1k votes)

    #13 - Caleb

    S2:E3

    Norma meets an ally in her battle to stop the bypass. Emma's memorial for a friend leads to a new relationship. Norman falls under the influence of a townie girl.

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  15. Background image for Plunge
    8.3/10(2.0k votes)

    #14 - Plunge

    S2:E6

    Dylan is asked to take control of a volatile situation. A secret spreads, threatening Norma and Norman's relationship. Emma finds herself in a very dangerous situation.

    Director:Ed Bianchi
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  16. Background image for Unfaithful
    8.3/10(12 votes)

    #15 - Unfaithful

    S4:E8

    Norma finds herself torn between Romero and Norman. A holiday outing makes Norman realize how much everyone else has changed in his absence.

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  17. Background image for Gone But Not Forgotten
    8.2/10(2.3k votes)

    #16 - Gone But Not Forgotten

    S2:E1

    Norman fixates on the death of Miss Watson. Norma gets unexpected news about the bypass project while Bradley's hunt for her father's killer drives her to dangerous extremes.

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  18. Background image for The Convergence of the Twain
    8.2/10(9 votes)

    #17 - The Convergence of the Twain

    S5:E2

    Norman's date doesn't go as planned. Romero's frustrations reach a boiling point. Chick brings Norman a gift.

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  19. Background image for Check-Out
    8.1/10(2.0k votes)

    #18 - Check-Out

    S2:E4

    A new revelation forces Dylan to question his loyalty to Norma and Norman. Christine brings Norma into the White Pine social scene.

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  20. Background image for The Last Supper
    8.1/10(15 votes)

    #19 - The Last Supper

    S3:E7

    Norma returns home to find a mess waiting for her. Norman agrees to get some help. Dylan learns some shocking news about Emma's health.

    Director:Ed Bianchi
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  21. Background image for First You Dream, Then You Die
    8.0/10(3.8k votes)

    #20 - First You Dream, Then You Die

    S1:E1

    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.

    Director:Tucker Gates
    Writer:Unknown
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  22. Background image for What's Wrong with Norman
    8.0/10(2.8k votes)

    #21 - What's Wrong with Norman

    S1:E3

    Dylan starts his new job and learns that there is more to it than he thought. Meanwhile, Norman and Emma make a shocking discovery.

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  23. Background image for Trust Me
    8.0/10(2.6k votes)

    #22 - Trust Me

    S1:E4

    Norma's suspicions about people in town are raised, but other distractions continue to surface.

    Director:Johan Renck
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  24. Background image for Ocean View
    8.0/10(2.5k votes)

    #23 - Ocean View

    S1:E5

    Norman desperately seeks his mother's return home as Norma gets some much needed help. Norman and Emma find more clues that lead to a big discovery, while Norman continues to pursue Bradley.

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  25. Background image for Presumed Innocent
    8.0/10(1.9k votes)

    #24 - Presumed Innocent

    S2:E7

    Norman questions Norma's faith in him. Zane's thirst for revenge threatens Dylan. Romero is presented with new evidence while Cody's friendship with Norman reaches a breaking point.

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  26. Background image for Meltdown
    8.0/10(1.9k votes)

    #25 - Meltdown

    S2:E8

    Romero digs for the truth behind Miss Watson's murder, while the war between the drug families presents Dylan with an impossible choice. Norman pushes Norma away when she won't tell him the truth about his blackouts.

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Best Episodes Summary

"Forever" is the best rated episode of "Bates Motel". It scored 8.8/10 based on 11 votes. Directed by Tim Southam and written by Kerry Ehrin, Carlton Cuse, it aired on 5/9/2016. This episode scored 0.1 points higher than the second highest rated, "The Immutable Truth".