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The Best Episodes of Bates Motel

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

Binge this in 1d 12h•Peaking at 8.8/10

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 film, albeit in a different fictional town and in a

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Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
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    Bates Motel Season 4 Episode 9 - Forever
    8.8/10(12 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.

    Director:Tim Southam
    Writers:Kerry Ehrin, Carlton Cuse

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  2. Bates Motel Season 4 Episode 10 - Norman
    8.6/10(12 votes)

    #2 - 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
    Writer:Kerry Ehrin

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  3. Bates Motel Season 5 Episode 10 - The Cord
    8.6/10(14 votes)

    #3 - The Cord

    S5:E10

    Norman Bates comes home.

    Director:Tucker Gates
    Writers:Kerry Ehrin, Carlton Cuse

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  4. Bates Motel Season 4 Episode 2 - Goodnight, Mother
    8.5/10(13 votes)

    #4 - 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.

    Director:Tim Southam
    Writers:Kerry Ehrin, Torrey Speer

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  5. Bates Motel Season 5 Episode 5 - Dreams Die First
    8.5/10(13 votes)

    #5 - 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.

    Director:Nestor Carbonell
    Writers:Kerry Ehrin, Erica Lipez

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  6. Bates Motel Season 3 Episode 6 - Norma Louise
    8.4/10(16 votes)

    #6 - 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
    Writer:Kerry Ehrin

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    The 20 WORST Episodes of Bates Motel

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  7. Bates Motel Season 5 Episode 1 - Dark Paradise
    8.4/10(13 votes)

    #7 - Dark Paradise

    S5:E1

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

    Director:Tucker Gates
    Writer:Kerry Ehrin

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  8. Bates Motel Season 5 Episode 8 - The Body
    8.3/10(9 votes)

    #8 - The Body

    S5:E8

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

    Director:Freddie Highmore
    Writer:Erica Lipez

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  9. Bates Motel Season 2 Episode 9 - The Box
    8.2/10(17 votes)

    #9 - 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.

    Director:Tucker Gates
    Writers:Kerry Ehrin, Carlton Cuse

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  10. Bates Motel Season 2 Episode 10 - The Immutable Truth
    8.2/10(17 votes)

    #10 - 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.

    Director:Tucker Gates
    Writers:Kerry Ehrin, Carlton Cuse

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  11. Bates Motel Season 4 Episode 8 - Unfaithful
    8.2/10(13 votes)

    #11 - 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.

    Director:Stephen Surjik
    Writer:Freddie Highmore

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  12. Bates Motel Season 5 Episode 2 - The Convergence of the Twain
    8.2/10(10 votes)

    #12 - 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.

    Director:Sarah Boyd
    Writers:Steve Kornacki, Alyson Evans

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  13. Bates Motel Season 2 Episode 6 - Plunge
    8.1/10(19 votes)

    #13 - 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
    Writer:Kerry Ehrin

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  14. Bates Motel Season 3 Episode 7 - The Last Supper
    8.1/10(17 votes)

    #14 - 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
    Writer:Philip Buiser

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  15. Bates Motel Season 3 Episode 8 - The Pit
    8.1/10(16 votes)

    #15 - The Pit

    S3:E8

    Romero confronts Norma about new information that has recently come to light. Norman reels from a recent discovery. Caleb and Dylan take a job that involves some risk. Emma makes a decision about her future with Norman.

    Director:Roxann Dawson
    Writer:Bill Balas

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  16. Bates Motel Season 3 Episode 10 - Unconscious
    8.1/10(19 votes)

    #16 - Unconscious

    S3:E10

    Norma hits a breaking point with Norman's issues. Emma has a surprising reaction to seemingly positive news. Romero finally chooses sides, sealing his fate in town. Caleb makes a decision that will uproot his new life.

    Director:Tucker Gates
    Writers:Kerry Ehrin, Carlton Cuse

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  17. Bates Motel Season 5 Episode 9 - Visiting Hours
    8.0/10(9 votes)

    #17 - Visiting Hours

    S5:E9

    Norman's legal problems worsen; Emma tends to the family business as Dylan finds himself caught between his past and his future; Romero enacts his plan for revenge.

    Director:Olatunde Osunsanmi
    Writer:Scott Kosar

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  18. Bates Motel Season 4 Episode 1 - A Danger to Himself and Others
    7.9/10(17 votes)

    #18 - A Danger to Himself and Others

    S4:E1

    Norma searches desperately for Norman, who finds himself in unfamiliar surroundings. Meanwhile, Dylan anxiously awaits news regarding Emma, while Romero receives a surprising proposition.

    Director:Tucker Gates
    Writers:Kerry Ehrin, Carlton Cuse

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  19. Bates Motel Season 4 Episode 3 - 'Til Death Do You Part
    7.9/10(14 votes)

    #19 - 'Til Death Do You Part

    S4:E3

    Norma and Romero take a big step together, but neither knows what it means to the other. As Norman struggles to accept his new circumstances, Dylan attempts to shed old business.

    Director:Phil Abraham
    Writers:Steve Kornacki, Alyson Evans

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  20. Bates Motel Season 5 Episode 4 - Hidden
    7.9/10(9 votes)

    #20 - Hidden

    S5:E4

    Norman discovers whom he can trust as he attempts to protect his secrets. Romero struggles to find safety.

    Director:Max Thieriot
    Writer:Torrey Speer

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  21. Bates Motel Season 1 Episode 6 - The Truth
    7.8/10(24 votes)

    #21 - 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.

    Director:Tucker Gates
    Writers:Kerry Ehrin, Carlton Cuse

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  22. Bates Motel Season 1 Episode 10 - Midnight
    7.8/10(22 votes)

    #22 - 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.

    Director:Tucker Gates
    Writers:Kerry Ehrin, Carlton Cuse

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  23. Bates Motel Season 2 Episode 4 - Check-Out
    7.8/10(22 votes)

    #23 - 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.

    Director:John David Coles
    Writer:Liz Tigelaar

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  24. Bates Motel Season 2 Episode 7 - Presumed Innocent
    7.8/10(22 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.

    Director:Roxann Dawson
    Writer:Alexandra Cunningham

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  25. Bates Motel Season 2 Episode 8 - Meltdown
    7.8/10(19 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.

    Director:Ed Bianchi
    Writers:Liz Tigelaar, Nikki Toscano

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Best Episodes Summary

"Forever" is the best rated episode of "Bates Motel". It scored 8.8/10 based on 12 votes. Directed by Tim Southam and written by Kerry Ehrin, Carlton Cuse, it aired on 5/9/2016. This episode scored 0.2 points higher than the second highest rated, "Norman".