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The Best Episodes of Bates Motel Season 1

Every episode of Bates Motel Season 1 ranked from best to worst. Discover the Best Episodes of Bates Motel Season 1!

Binge this in 7h 20mPeaking at 8.7/10

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

Airs on

Seasons5

Episode Rankings

  1. #1 Fan Favorite
    Bates Motel Season 1 Episode 1 - First You Dream, Then You Die
    8.0/10(3864 votes)

    #1 - 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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  2. Bates Motel Season 1 Episode 2 - Nice Town You Picked, Norma...
    7.8/10(3081 votes)

    #2 - Nice Town You Picked, Norma...

    S1:E2

    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.

    Director:Tucker Gates

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  3. Bates Motel Season 1 Episode 3 - What's Wrong with Norman
    8.0/10(2857 votes)

    #3 - 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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  4. Bates Motel Season 1 Episode 4 - Trust Me
    8.0/10(2708 votes)

    #4 - 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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  5. Bates Motel Season 1 Episode 5 - Ocean View
    8.1/10(2603 votes)

    #5 - 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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  6. Bates Motel Season 1 Episode 6 - The Truth
    8.7/10(2806 votes)

    #6 - 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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  8. Bates Motel Season 1 Episode 7 - The Man in Number 9
    7.8/10(2477 votes)

    #7 - The Man in Number 9

    S1:E7

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

    Director:S.J. Clarkson

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  9. Bates Motel Season 1 Episode 8 - A Boy and His Dog
    7.9/10(2444 votes)

    #8 - A Boy and His Dog

    S1:E8

    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.

    Director:Ed Bianchi
    Writer:Bill Balas

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  10. Bates Motel Season 1 Episode 9 - Underwater
    7.8/10(2387 votes)

    #9 - Underwater

    S1:E9

    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.

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  11. Bates Motel Season 1 Episode 10 - Midnight
    8.5/10(2611 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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Season 1 Ratings Summary

"First You Dream, Then You Die" is the best rated episode of "Bates Motel" season 1. It scored 8/10 based on 3864 votes. Directed by Tucker Gates and written by Unknown, it aired on 3/18/2013. This episode is rated 0.2 points higher than the second-best, "Nice Town You Picked, Norma...".