Every season of Bates Motel ever, ranked from best to worst by thousands of votes from fans of the show. The best seasons of Bates Motel!

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.

First You Dream, Then You Die

Dylan wastes no time causing trouble at home and all the while, the Bates family is inexorably drawn into the dark underbelly of White Pine Bay.

Nice Town You Picked, Norma...

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

What's Wrong with Norman

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

Trust Me

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.

Ocean View

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.

The Truth

Norma's first guest at the Bates Motel is not what she expected. Norman discovers that even popular girls are complicated.

The Man in Number 9

Norma finds herself in conflict with a mysterious strangers. Rumors spread at school, and Bradley is not enthused. Dylan and Remo go on a road trip that has a violent outcome. Norman takes up a grisly hobby.

A Boy and His Dog

Abernathy amps up the pressure, but Norma doesn't know what he wants. Dylan and Bradley connect. Norman has an active imagination, which Miss Watson encourages. Emma goes on a trip.

Underwater

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

Midnight

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.

Gone But Not Forgotten

Norma tries to distract Norman from his obsession with Miss Watson by having him audition for a play. A new player in town has Dylan and Remo on edge.

Shadow of a Doubt

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.

Caleb

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

Check-Out

Norman trusts Cody with a family secret.  Dylan finds himself fighting for his life as Zane’s war escalates.  Norma makes a deal with a mysterious man to help stop the bypass.

The Escape Artist

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.

Plunge

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.

Presumed Innocent

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.

Meltdown

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.

The Box

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.

The Immutable Truth

Norman and Emma make a decision about their future. Norma sets boundaries with Norman. An unexpected visit causes trouble in Dylan's fresh start.

A Death in the Family

Norman and Norma fixate on Annika's disappearance. Norma learns what the Arcanum Club really is. Dylan and Caleb encounter a new neighbor.

The Arcanum Club

Norman and Norma grow apart as he and Emma grow closer. Norma balks when Romero asks Norman some tough questions. Romero meets his competition for re-elections.

Persuasion

Emma and Norman spend a day away from the motel. Romero looks into two strange deaths in White Pine Bay. Norma returns to school. Caleb and Dylan's hidden secrets unravel.

Unbreak-Able

When Norma finds herself in a rare position of power, she appeals to Romero for guidance. Norman and Dylan both come undone from the fallout of a secret. Caleb considers an offer made to him by a surprising source.

The Deal

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.

Norma Louise

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.

The Last Supper

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.

The Pit

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.

Crazy

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.

Unconscious

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

A Danger to Himself and Others

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.

Goodnight, Mother

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.

'Til Death Do You Part

Norman has an adventure with his new friend. An annual festival in White Pine Bay gives Norma her first taste of real happiness in some time but puts Romero in a potentially awkward situation. Dylan finds himself caught between two families.

Lights of Winter

Norman tries to confide in Dr. Edwards, but worries he might be saying too much. Norma hires an artisan to fix a window, while Romero pieces together a crime that threatens his new life.

Refraction

While Norman digs deep in his past in therapy and confronts some painful truths, Norma does everything in her power to keep a secret of her own from coming to light.

The Vault

A chance discovery motivates Norman to return home. Norma throws herself into new projects with Romero's help, while Dylan searches for Emma's mother -- with troubling results.

There's No Place Like Home

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

Unfaithful

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.

Forever

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.

Norman

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

Dark Paradise

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

The Convergence of the Twain

Norman helps Chick with a project. Romero makes his move. An apologetic Madeleine reaches out to Norman.

Bad Blood

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

Hidden

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.

Dreams Die First

Norman checks in a special guest at the motel. Dylan grapples with devastating news. Sam and Madeleine face a crossroads in their marriage.

Marion

Norman and Mother are brought together as trouble looms large; Romero convalesces with the help of an old friend; Dylan comes home.

Inseparable

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

The Body

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.

Visiting Hours

The Cord

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 modern setting. The series begins after the death of Norma's husband, when she purchases a motel located in a coastal Oregon town so she and Norman can start a new life.

The Best Seasons of Bates Motel

The Best Seasons of Bates Motel

Season 5

Season 4

Season 3

Season 2

Season 1